Frank and KeeKee Tuimato are known for their catering. But after a food truck became available, they decided to launch Tuimato Hawaiian BBQ.

The food truck, in the patio area next to The Growler Guys on Marine Drive, was born as a bit of a side business. Frank Tuimato has been with CHS Northwest Propane since 2011, while KeeKee has worked at Columbia Memorial Hospital since 2018.

With children in the Astoria School District, they have catered for fundraisers, events and other school activities.

“If there was ever an opportunity, it’s probably this one,” Tuimato said. “Let’s go with it, so that’s what we did. And this happened within like a four-week span.”

Tuimato credits KeeKee, who creates the recipes and marinates the meat. “There’s nothing without (KeeKee) because she’s the one that puts the magic. You know? She doesn’t really get seen because she’s behind the scenes,” he said. “Everybody just knows the guy who’s cooking … You know, she’s a big part of what we do.”

The Tuimatos had a food truck in Tillamook after moving from the Hawaiian Islands. They chose to do catering first when they moved to Astoria and watched as interest grew.

“I’d like to give a shout out to our community, our local community … ,” Tuimato said. “It’s not just one person. It’s like, everybody that made it grow.”

The food truck often seems humming with family. The Tuimatos have four children.

“I ran down here to help him, and they had six bodies in there — all family,” said Neil Dundas, a friend who owns Dundee’s Bar and Grill in Seaside.

The Tuimatos thrive off the sense of community and the opportunity to share their dishes with more customers.

“I just want to say ‘mahalo’ to our community and everyone in A-town,” Tuimato said.