You don't have to leave La Jolla to visit the Hawaiian Islands. Ohana Cafe opened its doors in November and has made their home on Pearl Street.
The restaurant specializes in Hawaiian cuisine including chicken katsu, Kalua pork, loco moco, spam musubi and shaved ice.
Ohana Cafe offers a one-stop-shop event planning services—Hawaiian entertainment and musicains, wait staff, photo booth, wedding planning, flowers, party rentals and more.
Patch caught up with its owner Becky Kuba for four questions:
Patch: Why did you choose La Jolla to open your business?
Becky Kuba: I'm friends with a broker and didn’t think I would come out to La Jolla. My friend found this place, I liked it and it worked out. Also, this is my first business I’ve owned with a partner.
Patch: What distinguishes your business from others in the same industry?
Kuba: I put on Hawaiian events, have a dance group, luau things, and fire-dancing and knife throwing. I’m an instructor for a dance group up in Carlsbad.
Patch: What are some of the current challenges you face as a business owner?
The weather and being the off-season. I can’t wait until it gets warm again. But aside from that we have regular customers who are residents. Before we opened kids walked to school and asked about the shave ice.
Patch: What's the best business advice you've been given?
Kuba: When opening a restaurant, be ready to work a lot of hours.
