Husband and wife Randy and Rachael Raquino, owners of Wahiawā Brewed, were both born and raised in Wahiawā. When the opportunity came up to open their own business, the Raquinos wanted to create something with their hometown in mind.
“I’ve always had an entrepreneurial heart,” Rachael Raquino says. “I always wanted to own my own business. When the opportunity came up and this location ended up being available, we thought it would be such a great idea to have something to serve the Wahiawā community.”
Wahiawā Brewed, located on Kamehameha Highway, is in the former space of a barber shop, according to Raquino.
“We thought it would be great to have a grab-and-go service, so you don’t even have to get out of your car in the morning,” she says. “You can swing by, get your coffee, and you’re on your way to work.
“My family and my husband’s family are all born and raised here in Wahiawā,” she adds. “We wanted to bring something important to the community; we wanted to support local vendors. We also wanted to build a legacy for our family and for our children.”
When it came to choosing a business name, Raquino says “Wahiawā Brewed” was a family decision.
“We had two or three family dinners, and all the family came around,” she says. “They all had (potential) names they wanted to present. We ended up with two final names and had a final vote. We wanted our name to represent coffee and Wahiawā, and our whole support around the Wahiawā community.”
Wahiawā Brewed’s grand opening is this Saturday, Oct. 17, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Attendees can look forward to giveaways and more festivities, according to Raquino, who says the store did a soft opening last weekend.
“A lot of people from the community came to visit us, and it (the soft opening) ended up being excellent,” she says. “Thank you for everyone’s support so far; it’s been great. We’re so excited to bring this to the community — we have a lot of new state offices here in Wahiawā, a lot of different facilities popping up, and a lot of people going (through Wahiawā) to the North Shore.”
The store will be open for both, walk-in orders and pre-orders. Customers who pre-order — using the link on the business’s Instagram page — can pick up their beverages at the drive-thru window.
“Once you pre-pay, you can drive to the window and grab your order,” Raquino confirms.
Wahiawā Brewed’s menu features classic drinks — including hot drip coffee ($3.50) and iced lattes ($4.80) — along with specialty beverages ($8.50 each). The specialty drink names are inspired by landmarks or “things that signify Wahiawā,” according to Raquino.
“Some of our signature drinks are the Leilehua, which is our banana bread latte, and Exit 8, which is chocolate haupia,” Raquino says. “Da Raq special is a Chantilly latte; Chantilly is my absolute favorite. We wanted to have something different and try to create signature flavors that you can’t get anywhere else.”
Coffees are made using Haleʻiwa Coffee Roasters, according to Raquino. The Leilehua is an iced banana latte with banana bread cold foam, and it’s expected to be a customer favorite. Meanwhile, the Keno is an iced caramel cookie butter latte with caramel cold foam.
“The Keno is a name that was signified by our nephew, who has a clothing brand around the last name ‘Raquino,’” Raquino explains. “Most of our syrups are homemade, and all of our cold foams are homemade as well.”
Following its grand opening, Wahiawā Brewed will be open from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays (closed Mondays and Wednesdays).
“(Through this business), we also wanted to build a legacy for our family and for our children,” Raquino says. “We wanted to show them the importance of hard work and dedication, and to build something as a family unit to pass down from generation to generation. Family value is very important to us.”
CONTACT
Wahiawā Brewed
70 Kamehameha Hwy., Wahiawā
Instagram: @wahiawabrewed
Open from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; closed Mondays and Wednesdays
Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
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