Calvin Nakashima, who had Islanders lined up to order their favorite dishes at his restaurant, has died. He was 81.

Nakashima opened Bluebird Drive Inn, a 24-hour restaurant on Kamehameha Highway in Pearl City, in 1968.

The restaurant was open for only about 10 years but is still remembered today for its popular dishes.

Construction workers, college students and others came from around the island for dishes such as the Hawaiian plate and tasty tripe stew, Nakashima's daughter, Dr. Melanie Nakashima, said.

He also owned Mill Town Cafe in Waipahu and ran lunch wagons, she said.

Besides running his businesses, Nakashima was also an avid golfer and a member of the 7:50 Golf Club, so named because of its favored tee-off time.

"He always said the best part of golfing was the friendship and camaraderie," Melanie Nakashima said. "And he was lucky to be able to golf till the end of his life."

Nakashima, a 1944 graduate of Leilehua High School, was born Dec. 1, 1926, in Honolulu. He died May 25.

He was also a Korean War veteran and a general contractor.

Nakashima is survived by wife, Susan; daughters, Dr. Melanie Nakashima, Anne Young and Noel Tamura; brothers, Daniel and Stanford; sisters, Gladys Minami, Gertrude Ogawa and Esther Char; and six grandchildren.

Private services have been held.