About Us
Faithfully serving Hawaii for 40 years!
Quality Foods With A Friendly Smile
History
Mel and Lynn Tanioka began their culinary journey in 1978. Little did they know this journey would grow from renting a single retail stall with a handful of employees to owning their own commercial building with over one hundred and fifty employees. With the mind set of "Quality Foods with a Friendly Smile", their business started by serving fresh island seafood and simple but delicious okazuya items. As their business grew and succeeded, they established themselves by specializing in Island Wide Catering for weddings and corporate functions.
Menu
Tanioka's specializes in "local style" poke and seafood by using fresh island caught fish and quality ingrdients. Our menu consists of the most popular local cultural foods. Japanese, Korean, Filipino, hawaiian, American and "Tanioka's Fusion", have made Tanioka's a local and international favorite. Offering "grab and go", "made to order" and catering items ensures there is something for everyone.
Signature items include their famous limu poke, crisp and juicy fried chicken, Grandma Tanioka's ahi patties, Grandma Sakuma's maki sushi, Aunty Betty's inari sushi, fresh sashimi and the best tasting spicy ahi and spam musubi in Hawaii! A wide variety of "made to order" Daily Specials, including Tanioka's own Hawaiian Barbeque Pork Belly and Spicy Ahi Tempura Bowl, have captured customers from all over the world.
Catering
Tanioka's has become one of the best and well known catering companies in Hawaii. Catering for all types of events such as luaus, birthday parties, graduation celebrations, corporate functions, funeral services, and specializes in elegant wedding receptions. Customers can chose from a select list of pre-set catering menus or can make their own menu with items from our wide variety of Ala Carte dishes. Brides and grooms from all over the world have shared the true local flavors of Hawaii with their guests through Tanioka's.
Prominent companies including Tihati Productions, Disney's Aulani Resort, Hawaiian Air, Hawaiian Electric, Sam Choy's, PM Realty, McDonald's, Honolulu Country Club, Pearl Country Club, Waikele Golf Course, and many others have enjoyed their wide selection of catering dishes.
Next Generation
Daughter Jasmine hails from Punahou and the University of Hawaii. She is currently the President and CFO, and is responsible for all administrative duties. Her vision, humbleness, compassion and Christian values assure a great future for Tanioka's.
Son Justin was born a month prior to opening and has been committed in taking over the entity since his first steps. He is currently the COO and oversees daily operations. His goal of providing the best working environment makes him a great leader with a genuine heart.
Management Team
General Manager Tad Yamakawa leads the management team with Catering Manager, Jensen Endo, Retail Manager, Kevin Akana, Seafood Department Manager, Shelley Harris, Sushi Department Manager, Hector Dumbrique, and Marketing and Advertising, Brooke Yoshimura.
Awards
Throughout their 45 year history, Tanioka's continues to rank amongst the top Hawaii restaurants, eateries and catering businesses earning numerous awads every year. In the last decade, Tanioka's has been recognized as a finalist and or winner in multiple categories. This includes Best of Hawaii [KITV4], Hawaii's Best [Star Advertiser], Best of the Best [Honolulu Advertiser], Best of Honolulu Awards [Honolulu Magazine], the prestigious US Small Business Award, Family Business of the Year [University of Hawaii Business Center], Pride in Waipahu, and the Ilima Award [Star Advertiser]
Also received awards such as Retail Business of the Year (Oahu) [Hawaii Restaurant Association], Ho'okela Award Retailer of the Year (Oahu) [Retail Merchants of Hawaii], and Yelp's Nationwide Top 100 List. Mel Tanioka was recently inducted into the Leilehua High School Alumni Hall of Fame in 2016, and named the "Legend of Waipahu" in 2013 by Communities in Schools and was the recipient of the 2013 Pacific Edge Magazine Lifetime Achievement Award.
Charity Foundation
Tanioka's Charity Foundation, a 501c3 division of Tanioka's was created by the family's inspiration to support various organizations such as Hawaii Pacific Health [Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women & Children, Pali Momi Medical Center, Straub Medical Center and Wilcox Medical Center], EMS, Churches, Schools, Frontline heroes and many others.
Their annual "sold out" golf tournament is their flagship event, hosting 300 golfers for an event that raises thousands of dollars for local charities.
Wendy Golz serves as the Tanioka's Charity Foundation Vice President.