NAWILIWILI — One of the island’s most popular watering holes, catering to many locals and tourists in Nawiliwili, recently shut down because of a lease dispute, sources said. “The Tavern closed until further notice due to a property dispute,” states
NAWILIWILI — One of the island’s most popular watering holes, catering to many locals and tourists in Nawiliwili, recently shut down because of a lease dispute, sources said.
“The Tavern closed until further notice due to a property dispute,” states a sign hung on Nawiliwili Tavern’s front door on July 11. On Wednesday, the sign was still there, but most of the words were blacked out. The sign now simply reads, “The Tavern closed.”
The sign also states, “Thank you all for all your support over the past 15 years. Mahalo and aloha, Jay, Jess and staff.”
Further information on a property dispute being the root of the bar’s closure could not be confirmed by press time Saturday.
Jay Geffert and a silent partner acquired the lease for the Hotel Kuboyama building about 15 years ago.
Nawiliwili is a major hub for tourists and locals in the Lihu‘e area. Locals, especially hospitality industry workers, would seek the Tavern for a late-night pau hana drink.
The nearby Marriott Resort and the almost-daily cruise ship dockings would bring flocks of tourists and crew members to the Tavern, looking for a bar to hang out.
Geffert’s daughter, Jessica Geffert, worked at the Tavern for eight years as a bartender and as a manager. She said she met lots of people and has many wonderful memories from all those years, seeing people getting along, singing karaoke or just having a good time.
Geffert, born and raised on Kaua‘i, said that for years to come people will probably still stop her on the streets and remind her, “I know you from the Tavern.”
Hotel Kuboyama
The site where the Tavern operated was originally occupied by the Hotel Hayashi, built in the late 1890s. Katsuyuki Kuboyama purchased the building in 1925, demolished the weathered structure and built a new hotel four years later, called Hotel Kuboyama, according to the Nawiliwili Tavern’s website.
For many years Nawiliwili’s main road ran right in front of Hotel Kuboyama, states the website. The narrow road in front of the building now leads to Kalapaki Bay, heavily used by surfers, tourists and local families.
The Kuboyama family continued to run the hotel after Katsuyuki Kuboyama died in 1962.
In 1980, Allan and Betty Garner leased the property and opened the Oar House, which became one of the area’s most popular bars of its time, together with the now-also-gone Club Jetty.
Hotel Kuboyama survived landslides and two hurricanes, but it wasn’t a match for termites and was demolished in 1994, according the website. But friends and supporters of the Kuboyama family rallied to rebuild the hotel to reflect the original building.
“I’d like to see it reopened, but I honestly don’t know if anything else will be in it for a while,” said Jessica Geffert, adding that she and her father might find another location to reopen.
But as long as all of the employees find a job, she said she’ll be happy.
Asked if she had any plans for the future, Geffert just seemed to be regrouping.
“I’m not sure yet,” she said. “I’m still figuring that out.”
Visit www.nawiliwilitavern.com for more history and to see pictures and videos of the tavern and its customers.
