The Seaside Restaurant & Aqua Farm: Fresh Fish and More

Diners looking for a real farm-to-table experience might find just what they’re looking for at The Seaside Restaurant & Aqua Farm in Hilo.

Customers choosing this Keaukaha-based location can look right out their window to see just where their food is coming from, as long as they’re ordering fish of course.

Colin Nakagawa, president and chef of the restaurant, said he raises and prepares a variety of types of fish for customers to feast upon.

“The restaurant features fish that are raised and grown here on the farm, the fish farm,” he explained while pointing to a pond located behind the restaurant.

Behind the facility is a 30-acre all-natural, brackish fishpond called “Lokowaka.” Within in the fishpond are a few different types of fish including mullet, tilapia, and local favorite aholehole. On the menu is a fried aholehole pan-fried crispy, served with daikon-suri for $26.95. It’s worth a try.

And while the aqua farm certainly adds a particular uniqueness to this restaurant, it’s the story behind it that makes this place a local landmark.

Located near Carlsmith Beach Park on the Eastside of the Big Island, the restaurant has been in the area since the early 1920’s. Nakagawa’s grandparents used to own the original restaurant. The building was previously located closer to the beach until a tsunami swept through Hawai’i Island in 1946 and destroyed the property.

The restaurant was rebuilt and now seats 175 people and has three different rooms.

Nakagawa, who carried on his grandparent’s legacy by taking over the restaurant, decided to keep some old menu favorites while adding some new stylish dishes. 

The original Seaside restaurant, called the “Seaside Club” only served mullet and chicken. Now they offer seafood, as well as beef, veal, and chicken. They also offer appetizers, sushi and spirits.

For more information visit www.seasiderestauranthilo.com or call 808-935-8825.

They’re closed on Monday and are open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 4:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. They also serve dinner on Sunday from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. 

The Seaside Restaurant & Aqua Farm provides a variety of desserts for customers. Photo by: Megan Moseley

An image of an old menu from the restaurant, formally called ” the Seaside Club.” Photo by: Megan Moseley

Colin Nakagawa, president of The Seaside Restaurant & Aqua Farm, is seen here looking at one of his menus. Photo by: Megan Moseley

The following image depicts a wall of memorabilia at The Seaside Restaurant & Aqua Farm. Photo by: Megan Moseley

The Seaside Restaurant & Aqua Farm in Keaukaha offers an intimate dining setting for customers.

A couple is seen here dining at The Seaside Restaurant & Aqua Farm. Photo by: Megan Moseley