LIHUE — When Carol and David Kuraoka saw the lights, they had to park and come see at the intersection of Rice and Umi streets in Lihu‘e.
“We saw the lights and people working on the sidewalk, so we had to come check it out,” David said. “We see this all the time, but the lights are out.”
Beau of Rainbeau Jo’s said they’re open Friday through Tuesday from 7 a.m. to noon, and from 8 a.m. to noon on weekends.
“I just got through working with the county on the sidewalk seating, and that’s what I was doing,” Beau said, greeting the couple. “We’re open in this new space, now. Betty White, the original food truck from March of 2013, is sitting in the garage at home.”
Jo said they have been working from the new space across Rice Street from the Historic County Building since the Lights on Rice holiday parade.
“It was raining sideways one day,” she said. “And I looked out through one of the windows and couldn’t believe it. We were dry.”
Beau said the feeling of having the new restaurant space is “surreal.”
“I can’t believe we built a space where we can capture the moment,” he said.
Rainbeau Jo’s serves all organic coffee offerings — hot, iced or blended — with traditional mixings and Rainbeau Ritas available. The menu is supplemented by organic decaf espresso, chai and tea, as well as local and organic smoothies from blends of berries to a unique ginger basil mango, and more.
House-made schmears on a choice of bagel or croissant, and assorted offerings from Orly’s Patisserie, including apple cruffins, banana muffins, blueberry scones, chocolate croissants and cinnamon rolls go nicely with the beverage offerings.
Beau said the building took a long time to get to where it is now open.
Using his connections made with local artists like Seth Womble, Trysen Kaneshige, the Mo‘olelo Murals artists, the couple utilized Kuleana Contractors, a firm owned by Chara Hoe, whom they met through the artists, to convert the former Prosser Realty and Restaurant Kiibo expanded kitchen to its current Rainbeau Lounge and Rainbeau Hall where the original floorplan footprint is preserved. Outdoor seating is also available.
“This is a place where people can sit and enjoy Rainbeau Jo’s,” Beau said. “For those who just don’t have the time to sit, we have an ap available on the Apple App Store, Rainbeau Jo’s, where people on the go can order and give Jo a little prep time before they come and pick up the order to go from the back window. They can come back when they have more time to sit and enjoy.”
Preserving a lot of the material that was in the building, as well as incorporating artifacts from the Rainbeau Jo journey that started in 2013, the couple continues to look forward.
“We have unicorns in training on facilitating the love in abundance that is here,” Beau said. “Thank you for being a friend.”
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
