Umeke Market and Deli is a family owned and operated business by husband and wife
team, Daryl and Michelle Yamaguchi and sister, Debbie Yamaguchi. The Yamaguchi family
has had long-standing roots in the Hawaii food industry, as far back and the mid
40's. Their grandparents operated the "E.S. Yamaguchi Family Market" in the old
Farmer's market building in Kakaako.
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Daryl and Debbie Yamaguchi opened the Kaimuki Health Market in 1997 and have
grown and renamed the business and added Michelle's expertise in the kitchen as
a mainstay of their deli. Michelle has created many tasty and delicious menu items,
including her own recipe for her tantalizing "veggie burger", the ever so popular
Turkey Focaccia Sandwich, Chicken Adobo and Veggie Foccacia Sandwich.
For those of you who wonder what Umeke means, it is the Hawaiian word for "calabash".
It literally can be translated to mean "wooden bowl". In ancient times, Hawaiians
used the umekes for medicinal purposes as well as for cooking. Nowadays, umekes
are often given as gifts or awards in both cultural and business gatherings. Many
people use their umeke as a place to keep their favorite things including small
keepsakes and treasures. |