By None

Copyright staradvertiser

Located in Central Oahu, Waimalu has a rich agricultural history. The community began to grow in the 1960s with the opening of Waimalu Shopping Center, which is now listed on the Hawaii Register of Historic Places.

Today, longtime eateries and family-run snack shops bring people to Waimalu for its comfort foods and nostalgic flavors.

The area holds a special place in my heart because I attended Waimalu Elementary School.

Baldwin’s Sweet Shop

Near the center of Waimalu Shopping Center sits a small shop that’s become a big part of the community.

Baldwin Akamine opened Baldwin’s Sweet Shop (98-040 Kamehameha Hwy.) in 1978. Today, his daughter, Sadie Nakakura, runs the family business alongside her husband, Francis.

“My dad wanted his own business,” says Nakakura. “He saw a place for rent, and he didn’t know what to do with it, but it used to be a pool room. There was a shave ice machine in there, so he kind of fell into it.”

At first, Baldwin also sold hot dogs, hamburgers and magazines, but discovered shave ice and seeds were the favorites.

“If he was healthy and alive today, he’d still be working,” says Nakakura. “He was 80 when he retired.”

People continue to come for the shave ice, especially the li hing syrup made by Francis.

“Everybody says that that’s the best li hing syrup they’ve tasted,” she adds.

Business peaks in the summer, when shave ice and candy graduation lei are in high demand, and again during the holiday season for gift baskets.

“I think for us, it’s longevity,” says Nakakura. “We’ve been in business so long that we’re blessed that we got customers that come in generations.”

Ige’s Lunchwagon and Catering

Tucked into a back corner at Harbor Center, Ige’s Lunchwagon and Catering (98-025 Hekaha St. Ste. 16) draws a steady crowd for its generous plate lunches piled high with favorites like boneless chicken hekka, shoyu chicken and roast turkey with stuffing. People also come for the andagi.

There’s no actual lunchwagon anymore, but the takeout window is “set up just like a lunchwagon,” says owner Ron Ige.

He opened the business in 1990, after helping his mom run the original lunchwagon, which operated out of a kitchen built in their garage in Aiea.

Ige, who once dreamed of becoming a firefighter, stepped in to run the family’s lunchwagon while his parents went on vacation.

After the family was evicted from the Aiea location 1989, Ron and his two brothers each opened their own restaurants, including one in Halawa that now does only catering, and another in Mapunapuna.

“She was so happy when she was alive. Her kids made three kitchens,” says Ige.

Despite being open only Tuesdays through Fridays, the takeout window sells about 1,500 plate lunches a week. Weekends are reserved for catering.

“My workers all need me. I’m still here every single day,” says Ige, who starts work at 2 a.m.

His son, Ronson, now works in the kitchen, and his daughter, Jessica, helps out with social media. Ige continues to carry on the legacy his mother started — one plate lunch at a time — with the help of loyal customers.

“Just thank you very much,” says Ige. “We’re very blessed.”