Page 4 - MidWeek West - June 16, 2021

4 JUNE 16, 2021
Waipahu’s Elena’s Restaurant Perseveres Through The Pandemic
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kind, generous and taking care of people.
“We are self-taught home cooks from our parents. We didn’t go to culinary school. We were brought up in the restaurant since elementa- ry. We walked from August Ahrens Elementary School to our mom’s store every day after school,” reminisces Mellissa. “We were always at the restaurant and helped out, including caterings. The quote ʻStart ‘em young’ is true to our family.”
Mellissa adds that she’s grateful for her hardworking employees, and she loves seeing new generations of customers because “they warm our hearts.”
The company, with about 20 employees, loves and supports the community, Mellissa adds.
“We decided to focus on one restaurant and keep it great,” Mellissa explains.
loyal customers took to heart ‘support local’ and they came to support us. We are truly humbled,” she says.
In fact, she emphasizes that Elena’s places a priority on supporting fellow small businesses and buying lo- cal, along with always being
Elena’s has responded and adapted to the coronavirus crisis in an array of ways, she adds. For example, since early on the pandemic, the company became a part of
As far as future goals, Mellissa reveals that the plan is to stay small and keep to the firm’s roots.
Let Us Be Your 2nd Ki
The company has grown and changed throughout the years. During the height of Theo and Elena Butuyan’s career, they opened five lo- cations, but when the chil- dren took over they consol- idated to one site.
(Above) Richard Butuyan and Mellissa Cedillo of Elena’s Restaurant in Waipahu smile for a photo. (Right) Jona Diego (left) and Nita Areola are hard at work in Elena’s kitchen. PHOTOS COURTESY ELENA’S RESTAURANT
the Show Aloha Challenge to provide free meals to feed kūpuna, and also gave back to the community with cam- paigns to feed hungry fami- lies and health care workers. Elena’s offered family packs and monthly specials, which have proven to be a big hit, Mellissa notes.
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Pearl City Gateway • 456-8868 Hawaii Kai Towne Center • 395-8882 Moanalua Shopping Center • 422-8800 Kapolei Commons • 693-8886 Ewa Town Center • 683-4888 Waipio Laniakea Plaza (Next to Costco) • 680-0888 Queen Kaahumanu Center Maui • (808) 873-9688
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“We have remained take- out and it’s working. Our
“We want to thank all our customers for supporting us the last 47 years,” Mellissa concludes.
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