Welcome to Culinary Business Incubator
Affordable & Flexible Pricing
Start or grow your business without the huge upfront cost of building your own kitchen.
Hourly Kitchen Rentals
You pay only for the time you use - ideal for small businesses managing cash flow.
Fully Equipped &
DOH-Certified Kitchens
Your operation is immediately compliant and production-ready.
Supportive Team & Business Guidance
We guide clients through permits, scheduling, and best practices to help them succeed.
Central Honolulu Location
Conveniently located in Kalihi, close to suppliers, highways, and major delivery routes.
Who We Serve
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Entrepreneurs launching or expanding:
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Catering businesses
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Food trucks / lunch wagons
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Specialty packaged foods (sauces, snacks, baked goods, etc.)
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Bakeries & dessert brands
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Meal prep companies
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Vegan, ethnic, or niche food products
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Pop-ups & farmers market vendors
Fully Certified Commercial Kitchens
Access to 11 professional-grade kitchens, including:
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Full Kitchens
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Baking Kitchens
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Food Prep Kitchens
Affordable
Hourly Rentals
Flexible rental options by the hour, with no long-term commitments. Perfect for new businesses watching costs.
Cold & Dry Storage
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Walk-in refrigerators
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Walk-in freezers
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Secured dry storage shelving (Available by the month)
Business
Consulting & Technical Assistance
Our staff helps entrepreneurs navigate:
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Department of Health permitting
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Business registrations (LLC, GET, insurance guidance)
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Market Access
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Marketing basics
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Operational planning
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One-on-One business support
Lilikoi Kitchen
Business Name: Lilikoi Kitchen
Entrepreneur: Bianca
Location: Kailua, Hawai‘i
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Bianca’s passion for culinary arts began in childhood, cooking with her Great Grandmother (a chef) and her father. She earned a Culinary Arts and Management degree from The Art Institute California–Los Angeles and went on to work in top hotels, country clubs, and high-profile events in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. In 2019, she launched Tailor Made Custom Catering, followed by the first Lilikoi Kitchen in 2023, and her second location in Kailua in 2025.
Support & Impact
We supported Bianca with business advising, growth strategy, and connections to resources as she prepared for her second location. Her expansion has created local jobs, strengthened the Kailua food scene, and allowed her to further pursue her passion for scratch cooking, sourcing local ingredients, and connecting with the community.
Istanbul Hawai‘i
Business Name: Istanbul Hawai‘i
Entrepreneur: Chef Ahu Hettema (with Chef Nili Yildirim)
Location: Kaka‘ako, Honolulu, Hawai‘i
Born in Mersin, Turkey, Ahu Hettema came to the U.S. at 17 to study English and pursue her passion for art. Her journey was marked by an 11-year immigration battle that left her in limbo but also built resilience. After moving to Honolulu with her husband, she and her mother, Chef Nili, began sharing family recipes at farmers markets. With support from Pacific Gateway Center’s Culinary Business Incubator, they operated a food truck and gained guidance on health procedures and permits.
Support & Impact
CBI provided Ahu and Nili with access to a commercial kitchen, regulatory guidance, and business support as they grew their Mediterranean food business. In 2020, despite the challenges of the pandemic, Ahu opened Istanbul Hawai‘i—a restaurant that has since become a local favorite. It has earned the Hale ‘Ä€ina Gold Award for Best Mediterranean Restaurant (3 years in a row) and was named 2022 SBA Women-Owned Business of the Year for Hawai‘i.
Today, Ahu and her family extend opportunities to other immigrants and refugees through the PGC Social Enterprise Program. Her story reflects resilience, community, and the healing power of food.
