Ajay Oppelaar and Robert Stutzman, the big kahunas of the Hawaiian-themed restaurant Kahuna, are celebrating their first year in Victoria at 515 Chatham St. which they moved into last Nov. 1.
"It's a real milestone. When you first open a business you don't know where you're headed until you start the journey," said Stutzman.
Both having a background in the restaurant industry, they intended to infuse a business with the spirit of Aloha. Their journey began with their love for the enchantment of Hawaii and a deep embrace of ‘Ohana’ – where family is everything, and so is unwavering devotion to the island’s delectable cuisine.
Oppelaar says that when they first came up with the concept it was just Kahuna Burger. But, having taken over a building in Duncan that came with a smaller space across the courtyard, the concept for Aloha Bowls was born and opened a month before Duncan's Kahuna Burger in 2021.
After seeing a pattern of visitors from Victoria making the trip to get a taste of paradise, the decision to open a location in the province's capital was an easy one.
In their first year, they received a steady 4.9 rating on Google and repeat customers. They also built a strong working relationship with neighbouring business Herald Street Brew Works where one can order food off their Kahuna menu which will then be brought over to the pub.
"We have always liked the energy and the culture of Hawaii and wanted to infuse that into a food concept," said Stutzman. "Being a welcoming and hospitable space is also very important to us."
"It's been great to have the opportunity to share what we are doing with a different crowd, and for them to see the passion and the careful thought that went into everything," said Oppelaar.
To mark the one-year milestone of being in their new location since Nov. 1, 2023, they will feature their teriyaki spam burger on their famous ramen noodle bun for $18 during November.
Cowichan Valley has voted them 'Best Burger' in the valley three consecutive years.
"It's always an honour," said Oppelaar. "It shows that people are seeing us for the quality that we bring, and the passion that we have behind it. What we create is something truly different; it's definitely not a commercial burger."
"I hope people pick up on both the thought and the intention of what we have created," said Stutzman.
