North Shore restaurant shuts down after 11 years

The lights will go out at Uncle Bo’s in Haleiwa within a few weeks. The restaurant, which has operated on Oahu’s North Shore since 2015, will close when its current lease expires. The owners have chosen not to renew the agreement, ending an 11-year run in the community.

Bo Pathammavong, the chef and partner, opened the second location of the Kapahulu-based business in August 2015. The menu focused on a mix of Hawaiian, Asian-inspired, and American comfort food. Pathammavong said the community welcomed the new restaurant with open arms from the start. He expressed gratitude to the staff and guests, noting that the spirit of aloha built the place.

The closure affects only the Haleiwa branch. The original Uncle Bo’s Pupu Bar & Grill in Kapahulu continues to operate. Ho Suk Lee, the managing partner, encouraged regulars from the North Shore to visit the Kapahulu location. He assured them that the same dishes and cocktails would be available there.

Staff members at the closing Haleiwa location were offered jobs at other company sites where positions were available. A logistical detail remains for customers holding gift cards. Because the two locations use different point-of-sale systems, Haleiwa gift cards cannot be used in Kapahulu. Patrons must use those specific cards before the North Shore doors close.

The restaurant has served locals and tourists for more than a decade. The decision to close is driven by the lease expiration rather than financial distress at the original site. The Kapahulu location, which thrived during the same period, will continue to serve its neighborhood.