There are three places on earth where they bake iconic King's
Hawaiian rolls: Hilo, Hawaii, Torrance, California and our own Gainesville,
Georgia. You read that right, Gainesville. These sweet, soft addictive
rolls trace back to Robert R. Taira, who established a bakery in the small town
of Hilo, Hawaii in the 1950's which would become renowned for producing the
soft, sweet Original Sweet Hawaiian bread that would evolve into the iconic rolls.
Fast forward to 2023 and the new Hello Hilo restaurant in Gainesville continues
the Taira family's mission of spreading "Aloha" with their Hawaii-inspired
cuisine and hospitality. Check out my Instagram reel from my visit. This one-of-a-kind (so far) fast-casual spot offers a
kaleidoscope of Hawaiian-inspired culinary treats including breakfast (featuring savory bowls
with SPAM fried rice and Portuguese sausage), bowls (featuring Korean BBQ
Bulgogi steak or Mochiko Chicken), sandwiches served on (what else) King's
Hawaiian bread (featuring Kalua pork or teriyaki steak), sliders, frozen treats
(like Hawaiian shave ice or tropical fruit soft serve) and a rainbow of colorful
baked goods highlighted by Hawaiian donuts, Malasadas, and mochi donuts. The
offerings are vast, the flavors are unique and spectacular, and the quality and
presentation are next-level. The restaurant instantly makes you feel like
you are on vacation from the first aloha (hello) to the last aloha
(goodbye).
