Local Business Reinvents Itself

After running errands today in the Ward area, I stopped to pick up lunch at Haili’s Backyard Luau lunch wagon.  Haili’s is a favorite of locals with their ono Hawaiian plates and catering.  Haili’s recently lost the lease to their space in the Ward Farmer’s Market but instead of closing shop, they embarked on a mini-reinvention of their family business.

The lunch wagon, vibrantly decorated in a tropical theme, is located “under the Hala tree” in the parking lot across form Ward Theaters.  They continue to offer their standard plates but have added some additional menu items including wraps and salads. And yes, they still do catering.

I was ono for laulau so I opted for their chicken laulau plate.  It comes with laulau (perfectly sized), lomi salmon, poke, haupia and poi or rice (I chose poi, of course).  All for $8.50.  Quite a deal considering how much food they give.  Trust me, I immediately fell into a food coma after inhaling my lunch!  As a bonus, I received a bag of their shrimp chips to sample.  The catch?  I have to give them feedback on the chips.  Can do!  I love free food samples!

My chicken laulau plate. Delicious!

I’m thrilled to see Haili’s using social media to get the word out about their new lunch wagon.  Not to mention all the great publicity they received recently.  With assistance from branding guru Brooke Gramann, Haili’s is now on Twitter (@HailisLuau) and they have a snazzy new website:  www.mybackyardluau.ning.com.   Haili’s also plans to make the most of their outdoor digs by instituting “backyard jams” on the weekends featuring local musicians and hula halau.  What a great way to stay in touch with long-time customers while building a new customer base.

So the next time you’re ono for Hawaiian food, pay a visit to Haili’s Backyard Luau “under the Hala tree” across Ward Theaters.  You won’t be disappointed!

Haili’s Hawaiian Food
808-728-8079
Hours of Operation:
Monday/Wednesday/Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.