"A Hui Hou Perry's..."

I read with sympathy the recent article in the Staradvertiser, the closing of Waikiki's famous restaurant, "Perry's Smorgy."

There was one time in my life I had very little money and for three years on a daily basis, I would sit and relax and eat like on a king while people watching from my favorite table facing Kuhio Blvd.

I would start with the awesome salad bar, then the drink bar for a few lemonades. I would finish and start on sliced turkey, prime rib, shrimp, mahi mahi, beef stew, pizza, and an array of many other entrees to choose from, along with corn on the cob, mashed potatoes, gravy, rice and more...

I would need to rest, then proceed to watermelon, cantaloupe and papaya form the fruit bar, with a small dish of vanilla ice cream from the sundae bar, occasionally I would also sample the puddings, jellos cakes and cookies.

I would finally finish eating, I would read the paper, relax and have a cup of Lion coffee which Perry's was famous for serving.

Back then it was only 4.95 for all you could eat and drink. Most people never tipped but I could feel like a hot shot and leave one dollar and they were ecstatic.

I now live on Kauai and when I visit Honolulu I always looked forward to visiting Perry's. Many ties when visiting I would take the bus directly from the airport to Perry's.

It comes with great sorrow that another great Hawaiian Institution is closing it's door.

To Perry's, you were more than a restaurant, you were a friend and lifeline. I say mahalo and A Hui Hou,