By None

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This year marks 30 years since Oahu Sugar Co. shut down in Waipahu, ending nearly a century of operation. Though the mill is long gone, the iconic smokestack remains, serving as a towering reminder of Waipahu’s plantation history. Laborers from around the world came to Hawaii to work in the sugarcane fields. Many of the people who live in Waipahu today are descendants of those workers, and the town remains a multiethnic community with eateries that reflect that diversity.

For more than 50 years, Elena’s (94-866 Moloalo St.) has been a second home for generations of families in Waipahu and across Oahu.

What began as a mother’s dream to stop working for others turned into one of Hawaii’s favorite spots for Filipino comfort food.

“It’s a mainstay,” says Mellissa Cedillo, Elena’s co-owner. “That’s because we’ve been in business for so long.”

Cedillo left her job as a real estate broker to help run the restaurant alongside her brother, Richard Butuyan, after their parents, Elena and Theo Butuyan, retired and moved to Las Vegas.

The couple first opened Elena’s in 1974 inside of Nabarette Store in Waipahu before moving to Tropicana Square.

Today, Elena’s is known for its craveable classics created by the Butuyan family, like the pork adobo fried rice omelete, and sari-sari — a soup loaded with vegetables, pork belly and baby shrimp.

“Thank you for all the support all these years,” says Butuyan. “If it wasn’t for you folks we wouldn’t be here today. And also to my employees — they’re the backbone of the restaurant.”

Elena’s also has two food trucks that bring Filipino favorites to communities around the island — but Waipahu remains at the heart of it all.

“My grandparents immigrated here. And so we just ended up staying,” says Cedillo. “This is our home.”

Tanioka’s Seafoods & Catering

At Tanioka’s Seafood & Catering (94-903 Farrington Hwy.), it’s never just about the food — it’s about family and the generations of customers who’ve become family.

What began as a humble poke shop in 1,000-square-foot space has evolved into an iconic spot for pupus, lunch and party platters.

Today, Justin Tanioka and his sister, Jasmine ,are in charge, carrying on the legacy their parents, Mel and Lynn Tanioka, started in 1978.

“As long as they’re around, we’ll always use them for guidance,” says Justin. “It’ll never stop because this is like their baby, you know, especially for my dad.”

Before Tanioka’s got its start, Mel would prepare poke using fish caught by his father and his father’s friends. He’d pack it up for Lynn to share with her co-workers at the Waipahu branch of Bank of Hawaii.

“People told him more and more, ‘Oh, you should sell it.’ There was a little niche for poke,” says Justin.

Mel opened Tanioka’s down the road from where Lynn grew up. At first, he sold “just snack stuff.” But as the demand grew, so did the menu, which now includes local favorites like fried chicken, maki sushi, ahi patties and okazuya items. The Tanioka family is grateful for its employees and customers.

“We tell our employees, you got to give them the best service you can,” says Justin. “That’s always been a training focal point for my parents — treat the customers well.”