When Hawaii actor Taylor Wily played Kamekona for the first time in the pilot episode of “Hawaii Five-0,” everyone remembered him, even if they couldn’t say his name. When his cousin Flippa (Hawaiian musician Shawn Mokuahi Garnett), came on the scene, we saw the start of a great comedy duo. Even though each of them could be a strong character on their own, it seems like the comedy and meaning of ʻohana are stronger when they are together.
Most locals — people born and/or raised in Hawaii — know that everyone is your “cousin. “This usually means that anyone could be a cousin because we live on a small island and families tend to be big.” When you call someone your cousin, it can mean two different things: a blood relative, like Chin (Daniel Dae Kim) and Kono (Grace Park); or a friend who is more like a family member or “cuz” to you.
The fact that Kamekona and Flippa share the same last name made it look like they are related by blood. This was shown in this season’s “Kuleana” (“One’s Personal Sense of Responsibility”). Before Chin was fired, Kamekona Tupuola was one of his confidential informants. Chin should be credited with helping Kamekona use his natural business sense in a more legal way. We learned in “Kuleana” that Kamekona gave up his life for Chin so that his younger brother Kanoa (Sam Puefua) could stay out of jail.
It was the start of a beautiful friendship between Chin, McGarrett (Alex O’Loughlin), and the rest of the Five-0 cast. Who can forget the first time McG and Danno (Scott Caan) met Kamekona? Kamekona, being a businessman, gave up some private information in exchange for McGarrett and Danno wearing blue Waiola Shave Ice shirts as free advertising.
At first, it looked like Kamekona’s shave-ice stand was just a front for more illegal activities. But over time, he has grown into a brave businessman who is always looking to make a good buck, or maybe a few thousand good bucks. Shave ice is an important part of Hawaii beach life—you can’t stay on the beach all day without getting something sweet to cool off. And Kamekona is no fool. From the first time he told Chin that ice had “a high profit margin,” he was right on the mark. He was on his way to becoming the man he had always said he wanted to be.
His shave ice stand and rolling cart on the beach are just the beginning of his success as a real business owner. Kamekona doesn’t like to rest on his laurels, so he goes after an even bigger adventure: a shrimp truck. Our state has had what we now call food trucks since the early 1970s. Back then, they were called manapua trucks. The trucks sold dinner plates like the ones at Rainbow Drive-In and Zippy’s. They also sold soft drinks and Chinese char siu bao. Kamekona’s shrimp truck idea was smart and adding the helicopter tours was just another step toward financial dominance.
Early on, Kamekona became an important part of the show. His cousin Flippa is both funny and a reminder of how much Kamekona loves his family. Flippa’s real name, Shawn Tupuolu, was revealed this year in “ʻI’ike Ke Ao” (“For the World to Know”). He seems to be one of the few people in his family who helps Kamekona, so Kamekona doesn’t mind when he has crazy accidents. In the fifth season episode “Ua ʻaihue” (“Stolen”), Flippa enters Kamekona into a cooking contest with famous Hawaiian chef Sam Choy. This is one of my all-time favorite scenes with the cousins. It makes Kamekona mad that his cousin is too sure of himself, so he starts throwing things at Flippa. Flippa defends himself by yelling “I love you!” at his angry cousin.
Still, it’s obvious the cousins really love each other — and fans love them too. People who answered the June fan favorites survey said they liked how funny they were and how they stressed family and friendship among the Five-0 team. People in New Zealand wrote that they love Kamekona “because he’s fun and always up to new tricks, and because he’s always there for his friends when they need him.” His tricks are usually his business trials and errors — like Spam Burritos and his failed catamaran tours.
But Petra Holzmair from Germany wrote in the fan survey that Kamekona has “made something of his life,” which is more important to him than getting rich. After being a double felon, he has become a good man with several successful businesses. He is also friends with Five-0.
It is not uncommon for the scenes we love best — happen to include Kamekona and Flippa. The shrimp truck is more than just a place for the team to eat and hang out. It’s a place where they can be themselves and be with their family. Kamekona and Flippa will always be an important part of the team, even if it’s the cousins who help make that happen.
This week’s “Hawaii Five-0” repeat was the season six episode, “Ka Haunaele” (“Rampage”). The writers used the true story of Tyke, an elephant who got away from the circus and was killed in the streets of Honolulu in 1994. That controversial story was used in the episode to show some of Jerry Ortega’s (Jorge Garcia) past. Tyke died after she ran over her trainer and hurt her groomer. It also helped to introduce us to Jerry’s sister, Isabel (Zuleyka Silver), an animal-savior and activist.
Last week’s Five-0 Redux was about Jerry Ortega, who has gone from being Chin’s weird conspiracy theorist friend to a Five-0 Special Consultant. This episode was a good chance to learn more about him.
Wendie Burbridge is a published author, playwright and teacher. Reach her via Facebook and follow her on Twitter and Instagram.
Kamekona’s shrimp truck is one of the most beloved parts of the hit TV show Hawaii Five-O. The larger-than-life character Kamekona Tupuola, played by Taylor Wily, runs a shrimp truck called “Kamekona’s Shrimp Shack” on the show. His truck serves up delicious garlic shrimp platters, coconut shrimp, and shave ice treats to the characters on Hawaii Five-O.
Many fans of the show who visit Hawaii are eager to try the iconic shrimp platters they see on TV, This leads to the popular question – is Kamekona’s shrimp truck a real food truck you can visit in Hawaii?
The short answer is Unfortunately, Kamekona’s shrimp truck is not a real food truck. It was created specifically for the Hawaii Five-O television show and does not exist in real life. However that doesn’t mean you can’t get tasty shrimp just like on the show when you visit Oahu.
The Origins of Kamekona’s Shrimp Shack
The character of Kamekona was created for the 2010 reboot of Hawaii Five-O on CBS. The show’s producers were looking for an “island-style entrepreneur” character when they found the Hawaiian actor Taylor Wily and created the role of Kamekona for him.
In the show, Kamekona is a reformed ex-convict who now runs a successful shrimp truck business. His truck is painted red, yellow, green and gets prime placement on the beach near the Hawaii Five-O headquarters. Kamekona provides comic relief as well as useful insider information to the Hawaii Five-O team in the show.
The shrimp truck itself is essentially a prop constructed specifically for filming exterior scenes on Hawaii Five-O. It’s moved to whatever beach or location is being used for filming that day.
So Where Did the Idea for a Shrimp Truck Come From?
While Kamekona’s shrimp truck is fictional, the concept is based on a real part of Hawaiian cuisine and culture. Shrimp trucks are a popular food trend in Hawaii that serves up casual, flavorful meals on the go.
The food truck culture in Hawaii exploded in popularity in the 1980s. Local chefs started putting a Hawaiian spin on standard plate lunch and shrimp dishes and serving them from trucks and roadside stands. The Hawaiian style of garlic shrimp, rice, and macaroni salad became a sensation.
Some of the most famous and long-standing real shrimp trucks in Hawaii include:
- Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck on Oahu’s North Shore
- Macky’s Shrimp Truck in Kalapana on the Big Island
- Fumi’s Kahuku Shrimp Trucks in Oahu
Just like on Hawaii Five-O, the shrimp trucks draw hungry crowds looking for a satisfying casual meal after a day at the beach. The show creators decided this element of Hawaiian culture would perfectly suit the character of Kamekona and add local flair.
Visiting a Real Shrimp Truck in Oahu
The good news for Hawaii Five-O fans visiting Oahu is that there are plenty of authentic shrimp trucks to choose from across the island. While Kamekona’s is fictional, you can still get that trademark garlic shrimp plate lunch experience that you see on the show.
Here are some of the top options for shrimp trucks to check out on Oahu:
Fumi’s Kahuku Shrimp
This is one of the most famous shrimp trucks in Hawaii, with locations in Kahuku and Waikiki. Fumi’s is known for their generous servings of peeled shrimp over rice with their signature sauces.
Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck
Located on Oahu’s North Shore in Kahuku near some of the top surfing spots, Giovanni’s is a legendary shrimp truck frequented by locals and tourists. Be sure to try the garlic hot pepper shrimp.
Macky’s Shrimp Truck
Macky’s has a location in Kalapana on the Big Island, but they also have a food truck in Waikiki not far from the beach and main hotels. Fun fact: Macky’s shrimp truck was featured on the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.
North Shore Shrimp Truck
Situated near Pipeline and Sunset Beach on Oahu’s famed North Shore, this bright blue shrimp truck serves jumbo shrimp plates and coconut shrimp.
Shrimp Shack
This aptly named shrimp truck in Laie is a North Shore staple. Try their signature hibachi shrimp cooked in garlic butter.
Part of the appeal of shrimp trucks is that they let you dine overlooking the ocean while enjoying the relaxing Hawaiian atmosphere. The trucks are generally open for lunch and dinner, some late into the evening especially on weekends.
When visiting, be prepared to wait in line at popular trucks – but the shrimp is well worth the wait. The plates cost around $12-15 and come piled high with a dozen or more large shrimp. It’s the perfect meal to enjoy on the go after a morning spent at the beach.
Other Places to Experience Hawaiian Shrimp Cuisine
While most shrimp trucks only serve takeaway plates, some local restaurants also serve Hawaiian-style garlic shrimp if you’re looking to sit down and enjoy table service.
On Oahu’s North Shore, both Kua Aina Burger and Haleiwa Joe’s serve shrimp dishes inspired by popular trucks in the area. In Honolulu, Triple 7 Restaurant features garlic shrimp and shrimp katsu plates.
You can also find plate lunch-style shrimp dishes at L&L Hawaiian BBQ and Rainbow Drive-In locations across Oahu.
Some beachfront hotels and resorts often have shrimp trucks visit on a rotating basis to provide an authentic Hawaiian food option for guests. Check schedules and activity calendars at your hotel to see if any food trucks will be stopping by.
Kamekona Would be Proud
While Kamekona Tupuola isn’t a real person, he and his popular shrimp truck have become synonymous with island culture in Hawaii thanks to Hawaii Five-O. Fans may be disappointed they can’t actually order from Kamekona’s truck, but there are still amazing real shrimp trucks all over Oahu to explore instead.
The next time you’re in the Aloha State, make sure to check out authentic shrimp plates served up roadside style. As you dine on garlic shrimp just like McGarrett and Danno, you’ll feel like you’re getting a true local’s experience of Hawaiian cuisine. Just don’t forget the shave ice for dessert!
DON’T GO TO GIOVANNI’S Shrimp Truck in Hawaii
FAQ
Is the shrimp truck on Hawaii Five-0 real?
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Who is the shrimp truck guy on Hawaii Five-0?
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