Kalihi Beer Returns as Olohana Brewpub in Chinatown

Photo: Alexander Gates

The third time should be the charm for Kalihi Beer, which has moved and reopened in Chinatown after its unexpected closure in Kalihi around the start of the year. Originally known as Broken Boundary Brewery, Kalihi Beer is now reimagined as Olohana Brewpub, and it’s in a familiar space: the former Stewbum & Stonewall Brewing on North King Street.

“The name olohana means ‘all hands’ because it took multiple people to get this done,” owner Chris Cook says. “It’s also reminiscent of the concept of charity. Having not grown up here, I wanted to contribute.”

Photo: Alexander Gates

Plans for the working microbrewery include hosting charitable events and groups. Weekend brunches will coincide with sporting events, and a coming lunch service will cater to Downtown workers. Eventually, general manager J.T. Thomas says, the hope is to draw weekly events like trivia nights and run clubs.

If you’re reading this for the food, chef consultant Gilbert Arangure’s menu includes appetizers, entrées, salads, snacks and pizza. Dough for these pizzas is fermented 36 to 48 hours; these will debut this Friday.

A recent preview tasting included poke tacos, different types of bratwursts with pickles, wedge salad with house-made bleu cheese dressing and bacon, mac and cheese, and potato wedges with caviar and crème fraiche.

Photo: Alexander Gates

My father tried his first charcuterie board ($17) and loved the selection of cheeses, toasted focaccia, peppered meats, olives, grapes and nuts. It’s a fun snack to go with the rich, heavier Belgian-inspired beers on tap. Also on the menu are hummus and crudité ($10),  chips and dip ($8), pretzels with choice of cheese ($14), and olives with feta ($12.50). The menu will expand in the coming weeks.

Photo: Alexander Gates

Let’s not forget the beer! Kalihi Beer branded cans that you could once find across O‘ahu, along with draft kegs in bars and restaurants, have sadly been absent. Now, some canned Kalihi Beers are available at the new Olohana Brewpub, which will gradually increase its own beers on tap.

The first brew in the new spot is the Rapa Red IPA ABV 6.5%. A few others are on tap and still tasting excellent: Ginger Ginger Irish Red ABV 6%, Everybody’s Devil Tripel ABV 8.8%, and Landbier for Time Dunkel ABV 5%.

To round out the selection, friends have provided kegs from Big Island Brewhaus, Hana Koa Brewing, and Howzit Brewing. Howzit’s Olohana Imperial Stout ABV 10% and Czech Out Olohana Lager ABV 4.8% are only available at Olohana Brewpub and Howzit Brewing. Beers are $9 to $10 a pint, with taster sizes and beer flights also on offer.

SEE ALSO: Beer in Hawai‘i: Who’s Opening, Who Closed and What’s Coming Up

A little history about the space: Darren Garvey lovingly built Stewbum & Stonewall Brewing to honor the legacy of his father and uncle. Garvey has since become a Honolulu firefighter, but he has stayed in the beer world with the Bevvy Chevy (@bevvychevyhi), an antique truck that serves as a mobile taproom for events. After Stewbum closed, the space reopened as Beach House Beer Co., a Maui-based entity that closed following the loss of its other businesses in Lahaina in the 2023 fires. For over a year, it sat vacant.

Cook and his team are all industry veterans in Hawai‘i, so it will be exciting to see what comes of this new combination of talents and experience. I hope to see you at Olohana Brewpub for a beer soon!

Soft opening hours Tuesday to Thursday 4 to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday noon to 10 p.m., 96 N. King St., Downtown, @kalihibeer

Alexander B. Gates is a regular contributor to Frolic Hawai‘i. @alohastatebeer