Uncle Bo's Haleʻiwa is closing its doors in the coming weeks after 11 years of serving Hawaiian, Asian-inspired and American comfort food to locals and visitors on Oahu's North Shore. The restaurant's owners have decided not to renew their lease, bringing an end to a run that began in August 2015 as the second location of the Kapahulu original.
The closure was confirmed by Hawaii News Now, which reported that chef and partner Bo Pathammavong said Haleʻiwa and North Shore residents welcomed the restaurant warmly and expressed gratitude to its guests, staff and friends. The North Shore outpost, located at 66-111 Kamehameha Highway, unit 101, became known for its mix of comfort dishes under the direction of Pathammavong, who has cooked food inspired by his Southeast Asian roots for nearly 20 years, according to Hawaii News Now.
Kapahulu Original Stays Open, Invites Regulars to Switch
Uncle Bo's Pupu Bar & Grill in Kapahulu, the original location, will remain open and continues to thrive, according to restaurant officials. Kapahulu is inviting Haleʻiwa regulars and new friends to visit, serving the same signature dishes, cocktails and hospitality that built the brand over the years.
Bo Pathammavong and Ho Suk Lee, who serves as managing partner, are partners in both the Haleʻiwa and Kapahulu restaurants, per the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. The pair has also grown the Uncle Bo's name into other Oahu concepts over the years, including a prior expansion into Kakaako.
Staff Offered Jobs, Gift Cards Face a Deadline
Restaurant officials say Haleʻiwa employees have been offered positions at other company locations where possible, easing the transition for workers as the North Shore spot winds down. Anyone holding a Haleʻiwa gift card needs to act fast, too: those cards cannot be redeemed at Kapahulu because the two locations run on different point-of-sale systems, khon2.com reported, meaning gift card holders must use their balances before Haleʻiwa closes for good.
The shutdown adds Uncle Bo's Haleʻiwa to a list of Oahu restaurant spaces hitting the market. Pacific Business News reported in April that at least 50 restaurant spaces across the island were listed for lease, with lease terms ranging from immediate availability to as far out as 2033, reflecting what it described as ongoing pressure on the dining industry from rising labor costs and operational challenges.
North Shore's Restaurant Scene Keeps Shifting
Haleʻiwa's commercial landscape has seen other upheaval recently. Earlier this year, a rental dispute forced changes at the North Shore Marketplace, a longtime Haleʻiwa landmark, according to KITV.
Even as it exits the North Shore, the Uncle Bo's group has kept expanding elsewhere on Oahu. KITV has reported the company was working on a fourth restaurant on Lewers Street in Waikiki, expected to serve locally inspired cuisine paired with tropical drinks. For now, North Shore fans of Uncle Bo's comfort food have a few weeks left to say goodbye to the Haleʻiwa location — and an open invitation to keep the tradition going in Kapahulu.
