Their sign, their slogan, their mission statement says it all: "Hafa Adai yan Aloha". Pono Hawaiian Grill's beautiful blending of Pacific cultures rooted in family, food and love. And at the opening of their new downtown restaurant, that's not just how their menu is formed, it's the foundation of their company.

Co-owner Bert Javier told KUAM News, "Pono in Hawaiian means to be righteous, to be good, to be giving, and so I fell in love with the brand essentially. It's just it puts you in a really good mindset. Like every day, you know, you you got to do good by your neighbors."

Having made their rounds at countless village events, fiestas and festivals as a mobile operation, they've expanded with a full restaurant. Married couple Bert and Naomi manage the operation, with he being an experienced restauranteur, and she masterfully handling day-to-day operations for the very unique type of business.

Fellow owner Naomi Atoigue Anderson says the change in environment from mobile kitchen to fixed dining room benefits their customers and leverages their prime location. She explained, "We originally just wanted to do the food truck and see where the brand took us. And then we saw a lot of a lot of love from everybody around the island and we saw our brand growing, and so we decided to just try to find a place a place that fits us for now. So we're just really happy to be here in Hagatna and we're just happy to have a place where people can come and sit or pick up their food."

And among their mouth-watering array of comfort food entrees is their signature musubi – a simple construct of a protein layered on rice and wrapped in seaweed - with a secret twist - that makes a distinct impact, being homemade every day.

And a serviceman in the Air Force who just happened to be in the passing by Boat Basin noticed Pono's grand opening sign, pulled-up, and had the honor of being the new location's first diner, happily enjoying one of Pono's spicy North Shore meals.

Happy customers means return customers - mission accomplished.