KAPA‘A — It was all about having time to surf. A.J. Irons and Jessi Anderson have both spent years working in the food industry in various capacities and decided to create the eco-friendly and healthy Opakapaka Food Truck as a
KAPA‘A — It was all about having time to surf.
A.J. Irons and Jessi Anderson have both spent years working in the food industry in various capacities and decided to create the eco-friendly and healthy Opakapaka Food Truck as a means to allow them to create their own daily schedule.
“The lifestyle is to be in the water as much as you can,” said Irons, who hails from the family known for their champion surfers. “We’re a big family and all surfers.”
The couples’ mutual appreciation of protecting the ocean and the land lead them to design Kaua‘i’s first official food truck.
Rather than simply retrofitting a trailer, Irons and Anderson decided to open an actual truck that would be as sustainable as possible.
To that end, their truck features LED lighting and Energy Star appliances. In addition, all of the food is served in eco-friendly, biodegradable containers.
The food they serve is locally sourced from Kaua‘i farms and local fishers.
“What we can get locally, we get,” Irons said of where he gets local foods. “I know what fish is available and if it’s not in season.”
Irons likes to keep a smaller menu so that his ingredients stay as fresh as possible.
“There’s no point in a bigger menu if it’s not the best it can be,” he said.
The truck, which opened in Kapa‘a earlier this month, features foods such as skewers of chicken with green chili and basil curry; pork in Chinese five-spice with a pineapple glaze and New York steak with a smoked paprika barbecue sauce.
The truck also offers a fish plate featuring the fresh catch of the day and salads made with local greens and homemade dressings.
Opakapaka Food Truck also offers sides such as garlic green beans and Opaka Huli-brulee for dessert, along with a choice of beverages.
Born and raised on Kaua‘i, Irons earned his degree in culinary arts at Le Cordon Bleu in Orlando, Fla. While there, he worked at Dexter’s in Winter Park, Fla., and at the Westin Grand Bohemian in Orlando, Fla.
After college, Irons returned to Kaua‘i, where he worked as a sous chef at Bar Acuda in Hanalei and started Iron Chef Kaua‘i, a private catering company.
“From a business aspect, we’re a perfect, well-rounded couple,” Anderson said with a smile.
Irons handles the cooking, while she handles the management part of Opakapaka Food Truck.
Growing up on the East Coast in Florida and Massachusetts, Anderson is an avid outdoor enthusiast and was often on the road exploring new cuisine and developed an appreciation for using seasonal ingredients from local and organic farms within close proximity to eateries.
Pursuing her passion of rock climbing and travel, Anderson spent a couple years learning business and management skills in bars and restaurants before moving to Kaua‘i in 2007.
While Opakapaka Food Truck is currently serving in Kapa‘a in the lot just north of Otsuka’s Furniture on Kuhio Highway, Anderson said they are looking forward to setting up shop at various festivals, along with doing catering and special events.
The website www.HaneleiFoodTruck.com features more information on Opakapaka Food Truck.
