Four Star Chop Suey serving last meal
By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward O'ahu Writer
KAILUA — After 30 years in business, Four Star Chop Suey has announced that it will close its doors this week, prompting full houses of customers wanting to enjoy one last meal there.
Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser
Ching Kong Ma, 70, and his wife, Wai Yiu, 65, will hang up their aprons tomorrow, leaving a clientele they have come to consider family.
Waitress Roselani Yap shows the old cash register she has used for 30 years while working at the Four Star Chop Suey restaurant in Kailua. The restaurant is closing this week, prompting a flood of customers sad to see it go.
With them goes longtime waitress Roselani Yap, 73, who started at the restaurant when it opened on Maluniu Avenue.
Ever since the restaurant hung up a sign announcing its closure two weeks ago, the small dining room has been packed. The restaurant ran out of food Sunday and had to delay opening yesterday so Ching Kong Ma could cook more food, said son George, 29, who grew up working in his father's business and is general manager.
"Our busiest day is Mother's Day and it's been Mother's Day for the past week and a half," George Ma said. "We've been sold out every night."
The Mas came to Hawai'i from Hong Kong with three children; their fourth child, George, was born in Hawai'i. He said his earliest memory is of sleeping in a little storage area in the restaurant.
George Ma said his parents wanted to retire after working 14 hours a day for more than 30 years. Members of the extended family have always worked in the restaurant, but there's no one interested in taking over the business, George Ma said.
Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser
Linda Yeehoy, who owns Ali'i Antiques across the street, said she's had a Four Star lunch at least once a week and will miss the restaurant. But she said she understands the issue of children not wanting to take over the business, having run her own business for 20 years.
Four Star Chop Suey owners Ching Kong Ma, his wife Wai Yiu, and waitress Roselani Yap will leave behind a family-like clientele when Four Star closes this week.
"Kids have their own lives," Yeehoy said. "They grew up in the business and now they want to do something different."
Lei and plants have been delivered to the restaurant, a show of appreciation for its service and family-like atmosphere, Yap said.
Yap said the restaurant drew customers who liked good food and good conversation.
"They not only came to eat," she said. "It was to eat and share their lifestyle with us. So it really became more like family-oriented.
"I had no grumpy customers. They were all very loving and caring and for that they gave me happiness."
Kathy Ogata, manager of Porky's Sports Pub next door, said she will miss the restaurant where she would order food almost every day.
"A lot of people are going to miss the restaurant because the food is very good," Ogata said.
Wai Yiu Ma said she is very sad to close the business because she has made so many friends in Kailua. But the work is causing her husband health problems and now the couple wants to travel and spend time with their grandchildren.
"All Kailua very good," Wai Yiu Ma said while holding back tears. "Made good friends."
Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com or 234-5266.
