Aloha! My name is Preston Kealoha, owner of Kealoha's Taste of the Islands and Mai Tai Lounge. I would like to tell you a little bit about my background and experience, and how this restaurant came to be.
I began working in Hawaii as a busboy 22 years ago. The company I was working for at that time owned 7 restaurants in the heart of Waikiki. Perhaps you've had the pleasure of dining at The Shore Bird or The Ocean House, two restaurants that are located on the beach and continue to be in business today. Within a few years I moved into management. These restaurants were highly focused on service, with an emphasis on the 'The Aloha Spirit' and providing 'The Island Experience'. Having been raised in a Hawaiian family with a strong cultural background, it came naturally to share this idea and level of hospitality in the restaurant business.
After more than a dozen years with this company, I decided to move my family to the mainland. I went right back into the restaurant business as general manager at 'Arriba's' in Huntington Beach, as well as 'Duke's'. Within a year of living here, I heard that a new Hawaiian restaurant was being built in Corona, near where I lived. It was Honolulu Harry's. I started with them from the beginning and eventually moved to Honolulu Harry's in Chino.
I was offered a job at Gladstones, then an offer of a partnership for a new restaurant in Maui on the water, Lahaina Mai Tai Lounge. After a year there, I decided to move back to California. Upon my return, I went back to Honolulu Harry's as a consultant, then manager.
I now have this wonderful opportunity to share my passion with all of you - it is a dream come true! My mission is simple: To have every guest receive excellent service, outstanding island cuisine, and experience the 'Island Spirit' here at Kealoha's. I hope you will come and join me soon.
Please be sure to try our Island-style Mai Tai! Kealoha's Mai Tai Lounge is known for our famous 'secret recipe' - a refreshing mixture of rum and passion fruit juices, shaken hula style, with our secret 'twist'! Historically, the Mai Tai comes from the Tahitian phrase, "Mai Tai, Roa Ae!" which means, "Out of this world". In the islands it's called "No Ka Oi" which means, "Da Best #1". See you here!
Aloha and Mahalo
Preston Kealoha
