A national pizza chain is returning to Hawaii and will open in just under two weeks, on Feb. 24, at Waipahu Town Center.

“;I'm in panic mode trying to make sure everything gets done,”; said franchisee Brad Vandeman, who has a commitment to open two more stores, likely on Oahu.

Generations of Hawaii families remember time spent and pizza, fried chicken and trademarked Mojo Potatoes eaten in Shakey's Pizza Parlors decades ago.

Vandeman established Hawaiian Islands Pizza LLC almost exactly a year ago for the venture and is familiar with the pizza chain's history in the islands. He has received widely positive feedback. “;Everyone has a fond memory of Shakey's when they were kids 25 years ago,”; he said.

Aside from himself and his management team, the new Shakey's will employ 32 crew members who will undergo training next week. Come the soft opening Feb. 24, the restaurant will be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

The restaurant offers dine-in and take-out service and, according to its national Web site, is engaged in social media, with a presence on Twitter, Facebook and MySpace.

Vandeman is the son of restaurateur George Vandeman, who owns Sergio's Italian Restaurant at Hilton Hawaiian Village and the new Ranch House restaurant on Kapahulu Avenue, and is “;kind of following in his (father's) footsteps,”; he said.