Island Treasures: WikiFRESH, LLC
Twenty-two years ago Jan DeLuz had a dream. In her dream, she clearly saw an okazu style (cooking side dishes to pair with rice or noodles) restaurant where the food was prepared using marinades, slow cooking, and the freshest ingredients. Guests would choose what they want and could dine-in or take it to go. The food preparation process would go quickly.
This dream stuck with Jan until it finally became a reality, when she partnered with Peter Kubota, a Hilo attorney. WikiFRESH started with a food truck in August, 2015 and the Hilo restaurant opened in April, 2016.
WikiFRESH is considered “fast-casual” in restaurant lingo; however it is by no means typical fast food. ‘Wikiʻ means fast in Hawaiian, and when added with FRESH, it is WikiFRESH, a very easy name to remember. WikiFRESH is a 100% scratch kitchen with all marinades, preparation, cooking, made in-house. All foods are prepared raw, grilled, steamed, or baked, with the exception of the tortillas chips, which are freshly fried.
Jan is proud that all the produce served at WikiFRESH is sourced from Hawai‘i Island first. If she canʻt source it on Hawai‘i island, she buys from neighbor island farms whenever possible. Grass-fed beef is from Big Island Beef Producers in Pa‘auilo. Currently, 90%+ of the produce they serve is from the state of Hawai‘i.
Jan and her staff have cultivated a business that puts community first. They frequently (almost daily) donate to local charities and schools. Their “people first” culture is what gives WikiFRESH its edge, and provides a place for the community to gather, eat healthy quality food, and feel welcomed.
Jan says, “We focus on catering to public charter schools, government agencies, and businesses. Being available to provide a private dining room for parties and meetings is another way we love to give back to the community. It’s a win/win—people get to come in and have a quick healthy meal while we provide the space for them to meet.”
Jan spent more than 30 years in the automotive marketing and management business. With her children grown, she says, “I felt it was time to ‘live my dream’. Sounds corny, I know.” Although born in Hilo, Jan lived most of her adult life in Florida. She says she felt a call to come back to Hawai‘i Island “and do what my grandfather asked me to do: plant trees that will bear fruit that I will never live to see mature. I am a different kind of farmer than my grandfather, but still farming. Planting seeds in a business that serves real food, supports island farmers, provides employment opportunities to our island people, and gives back to our community generously.”
About her business partner, Jan says, “Peter is my friend; he’s like a brother to me. He believed in the WikiFRESH dream and encouraged me to come back to Hilo and start the business and was willing to invest in it. Interestingly, everyone I told about ‘the dream’ thought it was a good idea from the start.”
WikiFRESH is located on the corner of Kilauea & Kekuanaoa in central Hilo. It is open 7 days a week: Monday–Saturday from 10:30am–8pm, and Sundays from 10:30–7pm. They accept orders online or in the restaurant for meals to-go or dine-in. If you haven’t yet, go have a meal, you’ll be glad you did! Mention Ke Ola Magazine sent you and you will get a free glass of their delicious freshly-made infused water.
WikiFRESH, LLC
1177 Kilauea Avenue, Hilo, HI 96720
jan@gowikifresh.com
Order online: GoWikiFresh.com
808.930.9456
