Tasaka Guri-Guri

Tasaka Guri-Guri is a small, family-owned shop located in Kahului, Maui, Hawaii, specializing in a frozen dessert known as guri-guri. Guri-guri is a cross between sherbet and ice cream. It is typically made with a mixture of guava juice, any type of lime soda and condensed milk. Tasaka Guri-Guri is very protective of the recipe and has managed to keep it a family secret for decades.

History

Jokichi Tasaka first made guri-guri in the early 1900s while living in Japan.[1][2] Jokichi called the dessert goodie-goodie, as in something "good" to eat.[3] His son Gunji Tasaka came to realize that it was difficult for the older Japanese people to pronounce the name, so he began to call it guri-guri.[4] Gunji Tasaka later migrated to the United States[1] and continued to run the family business.[5]

Tasaka Guri-Guri has operated for over 100 years but has relocated several times. The Tasaka family's business started with a small store on Pu'unene Avenue[6] located in Kahului, Maui. From that small store, the Tasaka family relocated to a nearby city, Wailuku, where they stayed for about 1 year. Tasaka and family then moved to The Old Kahului Shopping Center in Kahului where they stayed for many years. They have been located in Maui Mall, Kahului, since 1973.[1]

Tasaka Guri-Guri was honored in 2009 by the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii for being "one of five local businesses that have stood the test of time and become inspiring stories of success."[6]

Products

Guri-Guri

The typical ingredients of guri-guri are a mixture of flavored juices, guava juice, and condensed milk. Rumor has it that lemon-lime soda may also be involved.[1] However, Tasaka Guri-Guri's recipe has been kept a secret for over a century. The latest to know the recipe are Henry Tasaka, who is retired from the shop, and his two daughters, Gail and Cindy Tasaka,[3] who have now taken over the family business.[7]

Guri-guri comes in two flavors: pineapple and strawberry.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Kalani, Nanea (26 April 2009). "Guri guri still makes Maui memories after 90 years". Pacific Business News.
  2. ↑ Bernardo, Rosemarie (14 August 2001). "Maui matriarch’s family concocted guri guri treat : YOSHINO TASAKA / 1910-2001". Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
  3. 1 2 Antone, Rod (9 September 2001). "Gimme-gimme some Guri-Guri: The Tasaka family's legendary sherbet keeps happy victims in its addictive grasp". Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
  4. ↑ Fujii, Jocelyn (2009), "Here's the Scoop...", Stories of Aloha: Homegrown Treasures of Hawai'i, Hula Moon Press, LLC, p. 154, ISBN 978-0-9794649-4-2
  5. ↑ Interview
  6. 1 2 3 Eagar, Harry (7 September 2009). "Tides of Commerce: Award to honor a sweet success". The Maui News.
  7. ↑ "Life is Sweet for a Fourth-Generation Family Business". Maui Economic Development Board. 25 January 2012.
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