A Brief History of Aloha Tofu
Aloha Tofu Factory started from very humble beginnings in 1950 when Kamesaburo and Tsuruko Uyehara agreed to take over the running of a friend’s tofu factory.
Aloha!
Since 1950, the Uyehara Family, along with all of the hard-working staff that have helped us throughout the years, have been blessed with the opportunity and responsibility to provide fresh locally-made tofu products for restaurants, okazuya, hotels, and the wider Hawai`i community. We will continue to craft our made-in-Hawai`i tofu with gratitude for our partners and customers!
Paul & Misa Uyehara
from ALOHA TOFU Factory
Our History
Aloha Tofu Factory started from very humble beginnings in 1950 when Kamesaburo and Tsuruko Uyehara agreed to take over the running of a friend’s tofu factory. Normally it would take a lifetime to master the art of tofu-making, but Kamesaburo had only a week to learn everything about tofu and keep the factory running.
The first generation of the Uyehara family that ran the tofu factory didn’t set out to become the largest Hawaii tofu manufacturer in the islands today. Instead the patriarch Kamesaburo just wanted to provide for his family’s needs.
The first tofu shop was located on Dillingham Boulevard near what is now Honolulu Community College. In 1964, Aloha Tofu moved to the Ala Moana Farmers Market where the business grew until a fire wiped out the factory in 1966.
The family joined together and Kamesaburo rebuilt the factory to start over. In 1976 their hard work and determination was rewarded when the Uyehara family established their own factory on Akepo Lane in Kalihi where it still stands today.
The Uyehara family built their company based on the belief that the people of Hawaii deserve the freshest tofu. As a company with local values and the vision of aloha, we invite everyone to enjoy the versatility and health benefits that tofu has to offer.
