A Hawaiian restaurant in Covington is closing after five years. Kealoha’s Kitchen’s owner, Val Abafo, made the announcement on social media Thursday night.
“After five amazing years of sharing food, culture and aloha with our community, we have made the very difficult decision to close our doors,” Val shared in a statement, adding that he and his wife, co-owner Amy Abafo, were struggling to pay the restaurant’s bills.
“Amy & I always have said if we can pay the bills, we’ll do it! Lately we haven’t been able to do it, so we will close this chapter & see what the future brings!”
Kealoha’s Kitchen, named in honor of Abafo’s brother, who passed away suddenly in 2008, first opened as a food truck in 2020, followed by a carryout restaurant in Latonia before moving into its current space on Main Street in Covington. The menu features a selection of Hawaiian barbecue and Asian- and Polynesian-inspired dishes like bento boxes, Spam musubi and pineapple-teriyaki short ribs.
The restaurant also closed briefly this past January due to low sales, with Abafo warning they may have to close permanently as the restaurant industry faced increasing economic struggles and rising food costs.
“The journey has been filled with laughter, music, full plates, and countless memories that we will cherish forever. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you — to every guest who stopped by, every friend who brought their family, and every supporter who shared in our dream. You are the reason Kealoha thrived as long as it did,” the Abafos wrote.
Kealoha’s Kitchen’s last day in business will be Sunday, Oct. 12.
Kealoha’s Kitchen, 529 Main St., Covington. More info: facebook.com/kealohas.kitchen.
