Coffee has always been a big part of husband-and-wife Emil and Paula Corpuz’s relationship. The owners of AM to PM Coffee — a kei cafe that pops up regularly in ‘Ewa Beach — say that coffee often gave them a reason to “slow down,” whether they were at home on the Island or traveling somewhere new.
“It gave us a reason to be present and enjoy each other’s company,” Paula Corpuz says. “We found that it created that same sense of connection whenever we shared it with friends and family, too.”
While the couple has always enjoyed good coffee, the idea for AM to PM Coffee came much later and “developed organically,” according to Paula.
“Emil had purchased a Lelit Bianca espresso machine for our home, and we began casually making coffee for friends and family whenever we had the chance,” Paula says. “Hearing how much they genuinely enjoyed it made us wonder if we could share our love of coffee with more people.”
That simple idea grew into the couple’s vision for AM to PM Coffee, which officially opened in July. The business’s Japanese kei truck — a compact, micro-sized pick-up truck — was essential to its concept, according to Emil.
“We were trying to build something that was a regular food truck, but we wanted to be outside and talk to people,” he explains. “The frame was good enough to cut out and make the back end; little by little, we put everything together.”
The business’s mission is to create a friendly, welcoming place where people can enjoy a quality cup of coffee at any time of the day, slow down, and connect with those around them, according to Paula.
“Coffee has given us so many meaningful moments together, and we wanted to create a space where others could experience that same feeling,” she says.
The business’s name stems from the couple’s shared belief that coffee isn’t just a morning drink, and that it can be enjoyed at any time of the day. The name also reflects both of their personalities, according to Paula.
“We’ll happily have coffee first thing in the morning, or as late as 7 p.m. — sometimes even later,” she says. “Emil is naturally a morning person, while I’m definitely not. In a way, he’s the ‘AM’ and I’m the ‘PM’, so the name felt like a fun and fitting representation of both, our relationship and the business.
“We also loved that (the name) AM to PM felt broad and open-ended,” she adds. “It represents the idea that there’s always a reason for coffee, whether it’s how you begin your day, an afternoon pause, or something you share with good company in the evening.”
When creating the drink menu, Paula says it was important to offer a balance of specialty lattes, ranging from sweeter, more playful flavors to drinks that are more coffee-forward.
“Everyone has their own preferences, so it was important to us that there be something for every kind of coffee drinker,” she says.
She notes that the kettle corn latte is one of the more popular drinks on the menu.
“It’s such a unique concept that many people probably haven’t encountered before, and although it may sound a little unexpected at first, it really works,” Paula says. “It’s fun, memorable, and a great choice for anyone who wants to try something different.”
“It’s a treat, almost like a kettle corn candy,” adds Emil. “It’s fresh corn and milk, mixed together.”
He says the house special is another popular option — and his personal favorite.
“It’s an iced drink with our house cream and a double shot of espresso,” Emil says.
Latte flavors include Cookie Butter, white mocha, salted brown sugar, Spanish latte and more. The Spanish latte includes double espresso, condensed milk, cinnamon and your milk of choice. Right now, all drinks come in one size and customers can choose between whole and oat milk.
Along with the business’s specialty creations, it offers familiar classics like Americanos, flat whites and cappuccinos. Every drink is made to order, according to Paula.
“Overall, our menu reflects what we enjoy most about coffee — there’s always room to experiment and have fun with it, while still appreciating a simple, well-made cup,” she says. “Because we prepare each drink individually and don’t want to rush the process, there may be a bit of a wait when there’s a line. We want customers to know we appreciate everyone’s patience, as we give each drink the same care and attention we’d give a cup made for a friend or family.”
The business currently pops up several times a month in ‘Ewa Beach, but its goal is to participate in more local markets and continue finding new ways to share its coffee with the community.
“We know our current pop-up schedule can seem a little unpredictable,” Paula says. “We both still work full-time, so we’re building AM to PM Coffee around our schedules and growing the business one step at a time. We’re excited to keep growing and hope people will follow along on our journey, one cup and one pop-up at a time. What began as the two of us making drinks at home for friends and family has grown into something we hope will bring that same feeling of connection to our community.”
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Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
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