Founder of Kaimuki burger place dies
By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer
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W & M is a landmark on Wai'alae Avenue, with the sweet smell of its flame-broiled hamburgers seducing passing motorists and pedestrians. Although parking is limited, W & M draws loyal customers, as well as first-time patrons who are enticed by word of mouth.
Physics professor John Learned said that he has been enjoying W & M burg-ers since he joined the University of Hawai'i staff 20 years ago. His typical order is the royal burger, french fries and macaroni salad with shoyu on top.
"Just going down the street, that lured you in — the odors wafting out across the street," Learned said. "It's an institution."
Sandra Sakaguchi, Kawamura's daughter, said it was customers such as Learned that kept her father going.
""He seemed to enjoy when the customers recognized him and he could talk to them, reminisce — that kind of thing. He enjoyed them a lot. He really did," Sakaguchi said.
Kawamura and his wife, Mary, opened their first W & M in 1953 near Foster Botanical Garden. At that time, a W & M hamburger cost 19 cents.
Kawamura said he got into the food business after an acquaintance opened a milk stand and thought a hamburger stand would make a good neighbor.
After five years, the Kawamuras moved to their first Kaimuki location, at Wai'alae and Ninth avenues. But the couple lost their lease and closed the diner 20 years later.
Three years after that, a new eatery was opened at its present spot next to City Mill.
Through the years, W & M's menu has remained the same: burgers, steak burgers, french fries and macaroni salad with imitation crab.
"One of my favorite things to do was get a hamburger, fries, and go sit in the little gazebo next to the East-West Center here and eat lunch," Learned said.
The business remains in the Kawamura family and there are no plans to shut down W & M.
Kawamura's grandson, Walt Kunimitsu, is the company's president, and Sakaguchi and her brother, Myles Kawamura, are officers.
"It's a family business," Sakaguchi said.
Besides Sakaguchi, Kawamura is survived by his son, Myles; six grandchildren; brother, Ronald; and sisters, Kiyoko Kojima and Yoshiko "Nancy" Takahashi.
A service will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Diamond Head Mortuary.
Reach Curtis Lum at 525-8025 or culum@honoluluadvertiser.com.
