LIHU‘E — Virginia Bragg said Daylight Donut tries to stay open until 1 p.m., but sometimes everything just sells out.
A customer arriving for a mid-morning pick-me-up was worried there wouldn’t be anything left, but on Tuesday there was a variety to choose from.
Another customer couldn’t make up her mind and left with an assortment ranging from the specialty items to donuts with an assortment of sprinkles.
Bragg said Daylight Donut was taken over by the Celebrado family who operates the Bread and Deli Connection in Kukui Grove Center in December.
“There’s Don and Phyllis, the mother and father,” Bragg said. “And the sons, Kevin, Brad and Mark. The sisters are all in school.”
Daylight Donut is located in the row of shops in the back of Ace Hardware on Rice Street in Lihu‘e.
Donuts — cake, old-fashion, glazed and with a variety of sprinkles — are the mainstay of the shop, which features a limited seating area where the treats can be enjoyed fresh.
Other items which are local favorites include the specialty items like the cinnamon swirl, the Portuguese sausage roll and Apple Fritters, Bragg said.
“We have to use the Daylight Donut product, and the baker has created variations which appeal to local tastes,” Bragg said. “The county workers like the Long Johns and ‘Da Kine.’”
Additional offerings include the sticks, or skewered donut holes, twists with chocolate, fruit-filled donuts, bow ties, and a cinnamon roll with cream cheese topping.
Everything washes down with a cup of coffee, available in small and large, and currently, in a Daylight coffee mug with free first fill.
Other beverages include Arizona Ice Tea, an assortment of Hawaiian Aloha juices, milk, chocolate, orange juice, Pog, bottled water or frappuccino.
“People can also call in for special orders,” Bragg said. “This way, they come in and it’s ready to go.” The phone number for advance orders is 245-7404.
Bragg’s husband, Nathan is the lead baker at the doughnut shop with Tadeo Tabhlba helping.
“They come in between 2 and 3 a.m.,” Bragg said. “I get to sleep in and get here at 5:45 so the shop can open at 6 a.m.”
Posted store hours are from 6 a.m. to noon Mondays through Sundays.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
