Quite the deep dive into Hawaiian culture, history, diminishing real estate, and the islander's love of Spam!
The story of our diner location is quite a tale in itself. The Forty-Niner has been open on the island of Oahu in Aiea near Peal Harbor since 1947! Started by two Japanese American brothers, Richard and Henry Chagami, the two young men grew up in a small fishing village across the street from the diner's current location and witnessed firsthand the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Afterwards, the Chagami family went into hiding for a few months as many Japanese American's were being rounded up and held against their will in internment camps. Richard and Henry decided to enlist in the Armed Forces and spent time on the European front fighting in France and Italy. They survived and returned home to open the Forty-Niner.
The restaurant has only had TWO owners in its 76-year history. Current owner, Will Cordes, shares how he acquired the place and didn't change a whole lot despite his initial big plans to turn it into Oahu's first Mexican restaurant. Will also talks about his native Hawaiian heritage and the challenges his people have buying homestead land, and why Hawai'i is the number one market in the world for Spam consumption!
Angelica, a local Filipino-Haole born and raised on Oahu but not culturally Hawaiian, shares what it's like to live on the island today and what it costs to own/rent a place to live and tries her hand at answering Hawaiian culture trivia questions.
Millennial Cassidy worries whether she'll be able to afford to stay in Hawaii and fears if she's forced to relocate to mainland U.S.A., she won't be accepted. She also talks about the remote island of Niihau, which is only inhabited by native Hawaiian's who survive with minimum amenities, zero hotels, shops or much infrastructure.
Diner Info:
Forty Niner (Original 1947 location)
4304, 98-110 Honomanu St.
Aiea, Hawai'i 96701
(808) 484-1940
Forty-Niner (Waikiki)
445 Seaside Ave.
Honolulu, Hawai'i 96815
(808) 923-2058
Owner: Will Cordes