Pakini Grill Brings Fresh Local Cuisine, Family Attitude to Waimea

Max Bowman 

      If you’ve eaten out in Waimea recently, chances are you found yourself choosing between upscale chic (and expensive) establishments or a variety of fast food joints. You might have chosen to cook at home instead, or settled for a restaurant that wasn’t quite your style. Where, you ask,  can I get a family-style atmosphere with reasonable prices and excellent local cuisine (not to mention a full bar?). 

      Enter the Pakini Grill, the brainchild of four lifelong Honoka’a friends.  Born and raised on the Hamakua Coast, brothers Brandon, Justin, and Ryan Lee, along with Keoni Regidor, are determined to bring great Hawaiian regional cooking back to Waimea.  The result of a dream held since high school, Pakini Grill will fill the void left by other establishments in offering a fun, family-oriented environment that has been missing in local restaurants.  Located in the Waimea Shopping Center on Mamalahoa Highway, Pakini Grill promises to satisfy those in search of an authentically local menu. 

      All four members of the Pakini Grill team possess strong backgrounds in the food and beverage industry, giving them both the understanding and skills needed to bring a new dining experience to town.  Graduate of HPU with a degree in Travel Industry Management, Brandon Lee has extensive knowledge of what it takes to maintain a successful restaurant.   His career experiences encompass a wide array of food and beverage knowledge, and his combination of personality and dedication ensure the Pakini Grill is in good hands.  As for the menu, look no further than Keoni Regidor, who will run the kitchens as executive chef at Pakini Grill.  Keoni’s longtime passion for creating exciting dishes, combined with his chef experience in restaurants on both O’ahu and the Big Island, is certain to translate into enticing dishes at the Grill.

      Rounding out the rest of Pakini Grill’s founding partnership, Justin and Ryan Lee bring their unique experiences and personalities to the mix.  Avid hunters and fishermen both, they truly understand the benefits of using local produce provided by Hawaii’s abundant natural resources.  Their commitment to fresh local ingredients, prepared simply, provides Pakini Grill the opportunity to bring its customers closer to the ranch, vine, and sea.  In addition to their knowledge of fresh local fare, Justin and Ryan have ample experience that will benefit Pakini Grill; Justin has held high-profile management positions at Tiki’s Grill & Bar and Holokai Grill on O’ahu, while Ryan’s entrepreneurial spirit has led him in creating several small local businesses.  With these four in charge, it’s not hard to see why Pakini Grill will quickly become a favorite among Waimea’s local patrons.

      Pakini Grill is a dream realized for the four local boys, and they are dedicated to offering their combination of unique service and family oriented style to Waimea.  Their signature dish, Six-Hour Braised Short Rib served with kim chee, rice, and hot hoisin ginger sauce, is just one of the many items that will keep customers coming back to Pakini Grill.  For the diner craving a uniquely local family dining experience, this restaurant is sure to satisfy; fresh homegrown ingredients, a fun family atmosphere, and a mouth-watering menu make Pakini Grill Waimea’s best new addition to the dining scene.