ROD THOMPSON / RTHOMPSON@STARBULLETIN.COM
Hilo firefighters mopped up after an early evening fire gutted the landmark Maebo Noodle Factory yesterday.
Fire destroys Hilo
noodle factoryThe Maebo company is known
for its "One-Ton Chips"
HILO >> Fire gutted the landmark Maebo Noodle Factory in the Waiakea area of Hilo last night, putting at least a temporary halt to the business founded by the Maebo family in 1950.
Fighting back tears, owner Blane Maebo, the third generation of his family to manage the business, said it was insured and he will rebuild.
Besides its noodles, the company is known for its One-Ton Chips, a name which plays on the crispy chips' Chinese name, won ton.
"This is a landmark," said Fire Department Assistant Chief Lloyd Narimatsu.
Owner Maebo said the products are sold throughout the state and as far away as New York.
The 5,000-square-foot business is at 2036 Kilauea Ave., one block mauka from the business center surrounding the Puainako location of KTA supermarket.
Firefighters responding to the 6:50 p.m. alarm found flames shooting from the windows and eaves of the one-story building, Narimatsu said.
Although the building from the outside appeared to suffer little damage, everything inside was charred.
"There's nothing but debris. We consider it a total loss," Narimatsu said.
A dollar value for the damage was not immediately available. Neither Maebo nor fire officials had any immediate idea of the cause.
