Aloha Pizza ready for new chapter

KAPA‘A — The shutters at Aloha Kaua‘i Pizza closed for the final time Thursday night at Coconut Marketplace, but the story is not over.

People were invited to share Richard and Carolyn Booth’s final day of operation through the Aloha Kaua‘i Pizza website which noted the closure “as we prepare to relocate.”

“We really appreciate all the support we’ve gotten from everyone for the past 20 years,” Carolyn said, wiping tears that welled in her eyes. “We love to cook, and ever since we got here, we’ve been cooking for people.”

Carolyn said like a book, there are more chapters to write, but for now, it’s time for Richard to do something for himself.

“He’s been doing things for people all this time,” Carolyn said. “He needs to take a break and give to himself as he’s given to everyone.”

That gesture of giving is reflected in Aloha Kaua‘i Pizza’s contribution of meals to the Salvation Army’s Kokua Soup Kitchen which opens its doors to any person who needs a hot meal as well as the special pricing for employees of the Coconut Marketplace.

“Kaua‘i is such a special place,” Carolyn said. “It has given us the spark to do what we do, and our 20 years at the Coconut Marketplace is just one chapter. …  There are new recipes to develop.”

Aloha Kaua‘i Pizza is bigger than pizza, Carolyn said.

“We are overwhelmed by the gratefulness expressed by the people,” she said, trying with difficulty to control her emotions. “We are honored to have come here and be able to provide for our family.”

She said the reason they selected Feb. 10 as their final day for business is because Aloha Kaua‘i Pizza has been in operation for 20 years.

“The 10th day of the second month multiplied by 2, representing Richard and Carolyn, comes out to 20,” she said, the cheerful smile and chuckle returning to her face. “That’s pretty clever, don’t you think? I was always in marketing.”

Carolyn said she got her first job in retail, and loves to cook. Richard took a couple of cooking classes in college, and while she was working at Sgt. Leisure, saw the “cute” kiosk which later turned into Aloha Kaua‘i Pizza.

“It was meant to be,” she said.

But the task of serving up award-winning, freshly made pizza, sandwiches, salads, wraps, and select pasta and lasagna could not be done without help, and Carolyn is quick to acknowledge the corps of young people who have contributed to the success of Aloha Kaua‘i Pizza.

“I am so proud of all the young people we met over the past 20 years,” Carolyn said. “They are all successful, now. One is the head executive secretary, another owns a business. They still come to visit, and we are so proud of what they have accomplished and grateful for what they gave while they worked here.”

There were down times over the past couple decades too, Carolyn said.

“We survived some hard times — like the nine days we closed following Hurricane Iniki and the recent world issues,” she said. “But what is important is what we bring to this space.”

As the minutes ticked to the final shuttering, Carolyn refleflected on the time spent there.

“Some of the first people we met on the first day we opened will be here on our final day,” she said. “The lady who brought us a cake on our opening will have a cake on the last day. It’s definitely a circle of life.”