HBC To Open Eatery In Kahala

Honolulu Burger Company is preparing for a grand opening of its second restaurant in September across from Kahala Mall on Waialae Avenue, at the former site of Antonio’s Pizzeria.

Owner Ken Takahashi and business partner Troy Miyashiro intend to serve Big Island grass-fed beef, and they are known to cater to all ethnicities. For example, they offer burgers that include Korean, Hawaiian and Filipino flavors. (The most popular choices are Blue Hawaii, Mushroom Mushroom and Pastrami.)

Takahashi said HBC is different than most burger places because of its loyalty to local products. “We do everything as local as pos- sible. We have 100 percent local beef, 100 percent local vegetables — except for the mushrooms — and our bread is baked fresh for us every morning. That is what sets us apart from everyone else.”

They also work with Maui Gardens to get aquaponically grown lettuce, and their onions are from Aloun Farms.

A recent menu addition is Buta Kau Kau, with all the pig products in one burger: kalua pig, bacon and forest ham. “Back in the day during plantation times people knew kau kau as pig slop,” Takahashi said. “That’s where we got the name.”

The partners believe that the Kahala location will be great exposure for them and their goal to get people to pay attention to eating local. There may even be a burger war in the forecast, with The Counter right across the street at Kahala Mall.

“We are doing very well,” Takahashi said. “We’ve been extremely fortunate, and the community has really sup- ported us.” HBC’s original restaurant is on South Beretania Street and is open from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.