Chef Bernardo "JR" Oao's journey to culinary success is a testament to hard work, determination, and the power of pursuing one's dreams. Beginning his career in the kitchen as a dishwasher, JR's passion was ignited by a simple yet profound goal: to become a sushi chef. With an unwavering vision, he spent years honing his skills, learning the craft, and working his way up the kitchen ranks. Amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Chef JR took a bold leap of faith. In January 2022, he opened his own food truck, a small but powerful step toward realizing his dream. Just months later, in November of the same year, he proudly opened his first brick-and-mortar restaurant in Wailea. What started as a humble vision has now blossomed into a thriving business, all driven by JR's passion, resilience, and commitment to sharing his love of sushi with the world.

When the COVID-19 pandemic brought uncertainty to the restaurant industry, JR saw an opportunity to take a leap rather than step back. In January 2022, he opened his first food truck—a modest operation powered by big intention. It was a turning point that allowed him to directly share his food, his story, and his growing identity as a chef with the community.

Just months later, in November 2022, that momentum became something even greater: his first brick-and-mortar restaurant in Wailea. It was more than a business milestone—it was the realization of a dream that had been years in the making. Built from long hours, sacrifice, and belief in his craft, the restaurant quickly became a reflection of his journey and the standards he set for himself.

From there, his vision continued to grow. What began as a single goal—to become a sushi chef—has evolved into a deeper mission: to share meaningful, high-quality sushi experiences rooted in tradition, precision, and heart. Today, Chef JR’s story stands as an example of what is possible when persistence meets purpose, and when passion is matched with relentless work ethic.