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Kitada Kau Kau Korner,

one of Makawao's oldest businesses, is beloved for its food and its atmosphere. A steady stream of cowboys and mechanics, shopkeepers and county workers come for breakfast or lunch to the restaurant Takeshi and Suteko Kitada established in 1947. At one time, Kitada's also offered groceries and fishing gear, but today it's famous for its food. On a menu of classic diner dishes, the most popular items are local-style hamburger steak and beef hekka. The decor has changed little since Kitada's was established in 1947, but its many customers like it just the way it is. Though Takeshi and Suteko are gone, diners are served these days by a crew led by their daughter, Ethel Nobu Hotema. The wall behind the counter is a graphic reminder of the importance of this little restaurant to the community. It is lined with photos of friends and fans, copies of articles about the store, and thank you notes from youngsters whose school projects received support from the Kitada family. With its homey clutter, hand-written signs and coffee cups stacked on wooden shelves, Kitada's is a typical small-town restaurant, serving good food with a friendly smile. Like the antique cooking utensils in its front window, Kitada's offers a nostalgic and heartwarming reminder of days gone by.

Kitada
Image courtesy: Nobuko Kitada Collection.
Story: Jill Engledow

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Read about "Kitada Store ".
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