Page 4 - Dining Out - Aug 8 2021

Cover Story
4 /
Dining Out
/ Aug. 8-14, 2021
I
Story by
KYLE GALDEIRA
W hen Andrea Tour- nis-Vagenas and her husband moved to Hawaii from Chi- cago 10 years ago, life in the islands was great. However, a kernel of the Windy City was
missing. Tournis-Vagenas was
craving Garrett Popcorn, a, handcrafted Chicago-style popcorn that is famous for its caramel and cheese mix. The missing blend of tangy cheese and rich caramel popcorn and its familiar sweet aroma served as the inspiration for the birth of Island Popper Gourmet Popcorn.
After planning and perfect- ing recipes in her kitchen for nine months, Tournis-Vage- nas found a food truck on Craigslist and launched the business in 2012. The truck, known affectionately as “Pop- py,” served as the business’s home on wheels for seven years until Island Popper expanded to a storefront lo- cation on Colburn Street in Kalihi two years ago.
“At the end of the day, I want to make people happy by making the most delicious
says owner Tournis-Vagenas. “Whether it is for customers to enjoy themselves, to share with their family or to give as
Photos by
LAWRENCE TABUDLO
a gift, I want to bring on the smiles!”
The Island Popper team recently celebrated its sec- ond anniversary at the brick- and-mortar location, which is quite an accomplishment for the small business as it was forced to navigate the unpredictable operating climate brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This is a big deal for us, given this last year-and-a-half with COVID, and well, just making it as a small busi- ness,” says Tournis-Vagenas.
To honor the company’s loyal customers, and to intro- duce itself to new popcorn enthusiasts, Island Popper is offering an anniversary spe- cial available now through Saturday, Aug. 14. Custom- ers will receive a free paper cone of delicious popcorn with any purchase of $20 or more. The featured popcorn flavor changes weekly, and diners can keep an eye — and their nose — out for this week’s flavor: Curry Cheese.
Customers can reach for their favorite flavored pop- corn, including paper cones with Tsunami Mix ($3.50), Big Island Mix ($2.50) or Organic Butter ($2). Maui Mix Cups and Big Island Mix Cups ($10 for four) are also popular, as guests may mix and match
I
I
I
I
s
s
s
s
l
l
l
l
a
c
c
c
r
c
a
a
a
n
o
o
m
m
u
o
o
m
n
n
n
d
A
n
d
r
e popcorn they have ever had,”
A
h
e
A
A
n
m
m
m
s
4
s
sh
s
4
s
h
d
d
d
d P
h
o
p
h
h
o
n
n
d
m
m
u
o
o
p
P
P
P
o
d
r
d
r
o
o
o
p
r
r
u
n
i
u
n
p
’
p
’
’
’
n
n
i
t
p
p
p
pp
e
ea
e
e
a
s
a
s
s
s
a
n
a
T
a
a
T
i
it
p
p
p
pe
t
y
t
t
y
a
y
t
y
t
an
e
e
e
er
To
T
n
n
n
n
n
r
r
r
G
o
ou
o
o
u
t
to
ni
n
i
o
G
G
G
o
u
r
u
u
r
o s
o
o
s
i
v
i
i
v
v
v
r
n
r
n
i
o
o
o
u
n
ni
s
s
s
e
e
t
t
u
u
u
r
i
s
i
i
s
to
t
er
e
r
r
s
r
r
s
s
V
s
V
o
p
o
o
o
p
r
r
r
m
sa
s
a
-
e
-
-
-
m
m
m
me
p
i
p
i
a
V
Va
ar
a
r
r
e
e
e
t
a
ag
a
a
g
in
i
n
ry
r
y
n
t
t
t
P
g
ge
g
e
n t
n
t
y
y t
y
t
t
h
r
t
t
h
t
t
t
P
P
Po
e
n
a
e
e
n
o
o
o
o
o
o
p
n
n
a
o c
o
c
h
h
r
r
ro
a
s
a
s
c
c
c
o
u
g
o
o
o
u
p
p
pc
s
i
n
s
i
e
e
l
e
e
l
u
u
g
c
c
c
c
o
o
o
o
r
i
i
n
le
l
e
g
h
g
h
A
e
eb
e
b
h
r
r
rn
nv
n
v
i
t
v
v
v
i
b
br
b
r
h A
n
n
no
i
i
t
r
r
r
A
A
A
t
a
a
a
t
o
o
o
te
e
es
e
e
s
at
u
u
g
u
u
g
t
w
w
w
w
n
te
t
s
t
s
s
t
e
h
e
e
e
h
g
1
g
1
.
1
.
.
.
.
.
n
n
n
ne
t
h
t
h
h
e
e
e
e
e
r
h
e
he
1
4
e
r
e
e
r
4.
r
r
r
.
.