By Nancy Daniels
Daniel Akaka Jr., Eric Horst, John McManus, Anna Akaka, and Pi‘i Laeha at the blessing celebrating the Shore Bird’s 30th anniversary
It’s hard to believe, but it was 30 years ago, in 1979, when the Shore Bird Restaurant & Beach Bar first opened its doors at the Outrigger Reef on the Beach. This extraordinary milestone was celebrated last weekend with an all-star anniversary luncheon show on Saturday, June 27, broadcast live by radio station KINE. A blessing was held the following Monday, June 29, with Danny Akaka Jr., Pi‘i Laeha, and Blaine Kia performing the ceremony.
Headlining the Saturday luncheon show was Hawaii entertainer Danny Couch, who was a regular performer at the Shore Bird 29 years ago. Joining him on stage was the DeLima family, Makana, and Kapena. A sell-out crowd attended the festivities, with many locals swapping stories about a place so many grew up with. Family celebrations, holiday brunches, baby luaus, karaoke singing, pau hana drinks with coworkers, even bikini contests way back when, and today “tweetups” — all of this and more has made the Shore Bird the popular gathering place it is today.
However, it hasn’t just been our kama‘aina who have added to the success of the Shore Bird. Over the last three decades, visitors have been flocking to the Shore Bird’s world-famous open-air grill, which is literally ten feet from the sand with one of the greatest views of Diamond Head in Waikiki. Who would have thought that grilling your own dinner would prove so popular? But it did, and the grill-your-own concept, along with Shore Bird’s well known gourmet salad bar, massive breakfast buffet, and evening entertainment continues to attract legions of visitors and local residents back again and again!
“People come back to the Shore Bird because they feel at home here,” said David Nagaishi, Operations Manager for both the Shore Bird Restaurant & Beach Bar and the neighboring Ocean House restaurant across the hall. “While the restaurant has gone through a number of renovations over the years, the mana — the spirit of the place — remains constant,”
Shore Bird General Manager Del Uehara also attributes the restaurant’s popularity and longevity to the great service extended by its staff and to the tremendous value patrons receive.
“Our staff is, plain and simply, the best,” Uehara said. “They work hard to make sure our guests have the most memorable experience each and every time they walk through our doors. Plus, we’ve always offered exceptional value and consistency; we are truly one of the best values on Waikiki Beach!”
“The stunning sunsets each evening aren’t bad either,” Uehara added.
Shore Bird owners John McManus (left) and Eric Horst (right) with Barbara Campbell at the all-star anniversary luncheon show
It seems fitting that the Shore Bird is celebrating such a special occasion at the same time the Outrigger Reef on the Beach has completed its extensive transformation. As we reflect back on what has been, we can appreciate where the restaurant and hotel are today, and welcome and embrace what lies ahead. If the past thirty years are any indication, there are many more successful years ahead for both the Shore Bird Restaurant & Beach Bar and the Outrigger Reef!
The Shore Bird Restaurant & Beach Bar is open daily, with the breakfast buffet available from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.; the lunch and lanai menu is available form 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.; and dinner is served from 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Full bar service is available from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Nightly entertainment from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., with free Sing-A-Long Karaoke every night from 9:30 p.m. until closing. For reservations, call (808) 922-2887.
