From Uruma City, Okinawa

The Beginning

To Honolulu, Hawaii

Did you know Sunrise Restaurant was once known as Sunrise Coffee Shop? For many of the Okinawan immigrants who lived around Sheridan St. in Honolulu, Sunrise offered a them a place that reminded them of their home. Kiyo Irei, Chokatsu’s aunt, had owned the little shop and was constantly cooking home-style Okinawan dishes for her community. When she retired, many people would come knocking on her door asking just for a taste of her dishes.

In 1998, Chokatsu told his aunt that he wanted to open his own sushi restaurant. With so many people missing Kiyo’s cooking, she suggested to her nephew that they combine Okinawan food with sushi. Kiyo promised to teach him her recipes and help him run the restaurant. The following year, Sunrise Restaurant opened in Honolulu.

A little bit of Okinawa in Hawaii

Chokatsu and Tomoko embody the spirit of icahriba-chode, an Okinawan phrase which means to treat strangers as family and close friends. The restaurant itself has the intimacy of a home with the many pictures, trinkets, and belongings of Chokatsu and Tomoko lining the walls and corners. Okinawan immigrants, their children, and Okinawan exchange students would often visit Sunrise just to be with the owners. Chokatsu would play the sanshin and his guests would get up and dance the Kachaashi, a traditional Okinawan dance.

Chokatsu and Tomoko’s generous hospitality and delicious food are an example of Uchinanchu pride and they hope that they can continue sharing Okinawan culture and cuisine in the future.