If you walked down Ala Moana Boulevard toward the entrance of Waikiki anytime between 1970 and 2018, you saw it. The sign was unmistakable. It looked like a postcard from a version of Hawaii that doesn't really exist anymore. Wailana Coffee House Waikiki wasn't just a restaurant; it was a vibe, a time capsule, and honestly, the only place where you could get a decent pancake at 3:00 AM while sitting next to a local fisherman and a hungover tourist from Dusseldorf.
It's gone now.
People still search for it constantly because it represented a specific kind of "Old Hawaii" hospitality that modern, polished resorts can’t replicate. When it closed its doors on October 14, 2018, it felt like the end of an era. Not because the food was Michelin-star quality—it wasn't—but because it was a home base. It was reliable. In a city that changes its face every five minutes to chase the next luxury trend, Wailana stayed exactly the same for nearly five decades.
The Reality of the Wailana Coffee House Waikiki Closure
Most people think it failed. That’s the common assumption when a landmark closes, right? But the truth is actually a bit more "business-as-usual" than dramatic. The owners, the Hiatt family, simply decided it was time. Kenton Hiatt, who managed the spot for years, pointed out that the lease was ending and the costs of maintaining a massive, 24-hour operation in a prime Waikiki real estate zone were becoming astronomical.
They didn't go bankrupt. They weren't forced out by some evil developer in a suit. They just chose to stop.
The space it occupied—the ground floor of the Wailana at Waikiki condo building—sat empty for a while. Now, it’s a massive ABC Store (the "Island Gourmet Markets" variety). It’s nice. It’s clean. You can buy a $15 poke bowl and a souvenir magnet there. But it’s not the same as sliding into a vinyl booth and having a waitress who has worked there for 30 years call you "honey" while pouring coffee that could jumpstart a dead battery.
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What Made the Menu So Weirdly Iconic?
You couldn't talk about Wailana without mentioning the All-You-Can-Eat Pancakes. For $6.75 (at the time of closing), it was the best deal in Honolulu. They came with this duo of syrups—coconut and guava—that were neon-colored and probably 90% sugar, but they tasted like vacation.
The menu was a chaotic, beautiful mess of American diner classics and local Hawaiian comfort food.
- The Broiled Teriyaki Top Sirloin: A staple.
- The Patty Melt: Greasy in the best way possible.
- Portuguese Sausage and Eggs: The quintessential Hawaii breakfast.
- The Salad Bar: Honestly, one of the last "real" salad bars in Waikiki, complete with chilled plates and those tiny crunchy noodles.
It was one of the few places where "diner food" didn't just mean burgers. It meant oxtail soup or a massive club sandwich. It served a purpose. If you were a local resident living in the condos upstairs, it was your kitchen. If you were a traveler on a budget, it was your sanctuary.
Why We Still Talk About It in 2026
Nostalgia is a hell of a drug.
Waikiki is becoming a playground for high-end retail. We're talking Chanel, Gucci, and $40 avocado toast. There’s nothing wrong with luxury, but it lacks soul. Wailana Coffee House Waikiki provided soul. It was a place where the waiters knew the regulars by name and the "shaka" wasn't something people did just for Instagram photos.
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Kenton Hiatt once mentioned in an interview with Hawaii News Now that the restaurant used to serve around 1,500 people a day during its peak. Think about that volume. That’s a lot of eggs. That’s a lot of stories shared over formica tables.
The architecture itself was mid-century modern gold. The lava rock walls, the hanging ferns, and those specific pendant lights created an atmosphere that felt like a set from Hawaii Five-O (the original one, not the reboot). It was authentic because it wasn't trying to be "retro." It just was old.
The Impact on the Local Community
When the closure was announced, the line to get in for one last meal stretched around the block. People flew in from the neighbor islands. Why? Because for many, Wailana was the backdrop for significant life events. First dates happened there. Families gathered there after church. It was the "after-party" spot for musicians performing in the lounges down the street.
It also employed people for lifetimes. It wasn't uncommon to find staff members who had been there for 20, 30, or even 40 years. In the hospitality industry, that kind of longevity is unheard of. It speaks to a management style that valued people over aggressive profit margins. When it closed, about 100 employees had to find new paths. Some went to the Hiatts' other ventures, but the "family" unit of the coffee house was effectively disbanded.
Navigating Waikiki Without the Coffee House
If you’re looking for that specific vibe today, it’s tough. You won't find another Wailana. But there are remnants of that era if you know where to look.
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- Liliha Bakery (International Market Place): It’s a bit more modern, but the roots are there. The coco puffs and the grilled mahi mahi evoke some of that local diner feel.
- Eggs 'n Things: This is the "tourist" version of what Wailana was. It's fine, but it’s loud and usually has a two-hour wait.
- The Pineapple Counter: Small, local, and still has that "pancakes and coffee" soul, though it’s much smaller in scale.
- Side Street Inn: If you want the "local food in large portions" experience, this is the gold standard. It’s not in Waikiki proper, but it’s the spiritual successor to the Wailana dinner rush.
The Business Lessons of the Wailana Legacy
Business owners can learn a lot from why this place worked. It wasn't about the newest tech or a "concept." It was about consistency.
You knew exactly what your eggs would look like. You knew the coffee would be hot. You knew the price was fair. In an era of "dynamic pricing" and "QR code menus," there is a massive, untapped market for places that just do the basics with extreme consistency.
The Hiatt family proved that you can run a successful business for 49 years without reinventing the wheel. You just have to show up.
Moving Forward: Actionable Insights for Your Next Trip
Since you can't physically walk into Wailana Coffee House anymore, here is how you can still capture that spirit during your Hawaii travels:
- Seek out "Mom and Pop" spots outside the main strip: Go to Kapahulu or Moiliili. Look for places with sun-faded menus in the window. That’s where the "Wailana spirit" moved.
- Visit the Wailana Building: You can still see the architecture. Walk into the Island Gourmet Market that replaced the restaurant. It’s a weirdly liminal space where you can almost feel where the booths used to be.
- Support long-standing local institutions: Places like Helena’s Hawaiian Food or Rainbow Drive-In are still standing. They are the elders of the food scene. Visit them now before they decide to retire too.
- Don't ignore the hotel coffee shops: While many are upscale, some of the older hotels still maintain "secondary" dining rooms that haven't been renovated since 1995. These are your best bets for a quiet, nostalgic breakfast.
The loss of the coffee house is a reminder that nothing is permanent, especially in a place as high-demand as Honolulu. It’s a prompt to appreciate the "uncool" spots while they are still around. They are often the ones we miss the most when the neon sign finally goes dark.
Next Steps for the Nostalgic Traveler:
- Check out historical archives: Search for the "Wailana Coffee House" photos on the Hawaii State Archives digital collection to see the restaurant in its 1970s glory.
- Explore Kapahulu Avenue: Spend an afternoon walking this street just outside Waikiki. It contains the highest density of traditional local eateries that survived the 2010s development boom.
- Download a local food app: Use apps like Yelp but filter by "Oldest" or "Established" to find restaurants that have been serving the community for over 20 years.