Born and raised in hawaii , best friends Brandon Baptiste and Joshua Tamaoka have spent a lifetime chasing waves, good food, and great company. What started as a shared love for Hawai‘i’s food culture eventually became a partnership built on friendship, creativity, and a desire to share the flavors they grew up with.

Brandon’s culinary journey took him from Kaua‘i to the Culinary Institute of America in Napa Valley, where he honed his craft before working under legendary chef Thomas Keller in both Napa Valley and New York. After years of fine dining experience, he returned home with a simple goal: take the foods he loved growing up and elevate them without losing their soul.

Joshua’s path was rooted in music, traveling the world, and surfing. His passion for bringing people together and creating memorable experiences made him the perfect counterpart to Brandon’s culinary vision.

Together, they created Wailua Shave Ice—a love letter to Hawai‘i disguised as a shave ice shop. By using real ingredients, chef-driven techniques, and a lot of local inspiration, they set out to create something that felt familiar yet unexpected. Their approach has always been locals first, visitors second—because if the people who grew up here love it, everyone else will too.

The duo also owns and operates Wailua Drive In in Kapa‘a, where they put their own spin on local comfort food. The restaurant gained national attention when Brandon’s famous chili pepper chicken was featured on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Whether it's a plate lunch, a bowl of shave ice, or a conversation across the counter, Brandon and Joshua believe food is about more than what’s on the plate—it’s about sharing Hawai‘i’s culture, creating connections, and making people feel like they belong. 🌺🤙🍧