COURTESY KONA HISTORICAL SOCIETY / 1968 The Ocean View Inn, a Kona landmark since 1934, is seen left of center across Kailua Bay in this photo taken during a Kamehameha Day parade.

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Kona’s historic, storied
Ocean View Inn to close

The eatery that saw stars like
Lucy and Desi will shut Sunday

KAILUA-KONA » A landmark restaurant that catered to celebrities such as Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Jimmy Stewart and Roy Rogers is closing this weekend.

The Ocean View Inn served Chinese and local food for more than 70 years across from the seawall in the heart of the Big Island village.

Ronald Kam and his family have run the eatery since his grandmother served her first meal there in 1934.

"There's mixed emotions," Kam said of the closing. "Each of us had something here. It was our life. On Sunday there will be no celebration. We'll just fade into the sunset."

Kam said the family decided to close the restaurant because of his desire to retire, his family is getting older and there is more competition from chain restaurants, among other reasons.

The family declined to say what would become of the property, since it has been sold and is in escrow.

But Sean Aguilar, a family spokesman and former cook, said the property would continue as a restaurant under new ownership.

Longtime patrons and employees shared memories this week of their beloved restaurant.

Cook Jeannette Kuwada recalled the day Rogers came to the Ocean View Inn from the Kona Inn down the street because he wanted a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Carrie Tulnag of Pebble Beach thought the Ocean View Inn had the best view of the Ironman Triathlon World Championship, which is held in Kona each fall.

"It's never going to be the same," she said. "Kailua-Kona is going to miss something good."

Roger Jones first saw the Ocean View Inn in 1961, when he sailed into Kailua-Kona during the night and the restaurant's lights were the among the only in town.

"It brings me to tears. I'm going to miss this place," Jones said. "It was the last local place that hadn't been ruined. It always felt like home."