Page 4 - Dining Out - Oct 24, 2021

Cover Story
Story by
KYLE GALDEIRA
Two years after taking over Kabuki Restau- rant & Delicatessen at Waimalu Shopping Center, owner John Afong and his veteran culinary and service team continue to navigate the uncharted waters caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The electrical contractor by trade had a desire to open a dining establishment and teamed up with business partner Randall Hayashi to help make the dream a real- ity. The duo “looked into the numbers” and determined it was a worthwhile invest- ment to take over as owners in October 2019.
“Since I frequent bars and restaurants all the time, and have many close friends that are in the restaurant industry, it was a natural progression and familiar industry for me,” Afong says. “I heard that the owner of Kabuki was ready to retire, but couldn’t find anyone interested in taking it over. The style of cuisine is basic old-style Japanese food with a lot of different op-
Photos by
L. TABUDLO
tions, all prepared with tra- ditional cooking methods.”
The restaurateur explains that, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, “business slowed down, but we have our regu- lar faithful customers, as well as new guests every day, and our hosts and managers are adapting to the new health and safety mandates. You can check in with a vaccine card or QR code through the Safe Travels Hawaii app, so there’s that extra option for dine-in customers. Plexi- glass is in place for safety and we’re operating at less
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4 / Dining Out / Oct. 24-30, 2021
Sushi chef Masa Nagamine prepares a variety of fresh seafood offerings, like the Nama Chirashi Bowl ($26.50).
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