ENCINITAS — Naomi Kealani Keliinoi, a beloved local restaurateur who brought the aloha spirit to Encinitas through her Hawaiian cuisine and unyielding generosity, died on Oct. 27, 2024.
Friends, family and neighbors gathered on Jan. 12 for a memorial event at Moonlight Beach to celebrate her life. The celebration included a paddle-out led by her son, a nod to her Hawaiian roots and her deep connection to the ocean.
“Our mom was one in a million,” her daughter Kelia Mihovilovich said. “For 25 years, she poured her heart into this community through Kealani’s, sharing her Hawaiian culture and serving those in need. She truly made Leucadia and Encinitas a better place. May her spirit of aloha and unconditional love inspire us all.”
Born Cheryl Naomi Wendel in Brea, Calif. (she told family and friends never to reveal her age), she grew up splitting her time between Orange County and summers in Waianae, Oahu, where she fell in love with her Hawaiian heritage.
A lifelong animal lover, Keliinoi was featured in her local newspaper at age 3 for caring for a wounded bird. As she grew older, Keliinoi was known for her tomboy spirit, earning the nickname “Bobby” in school.
Like her professional boxer father, Keliinoi was a fierce competitor, playing powder puff football and earning a purple belt in karate.
After moving to San Diego County in the early 1980s, Keliinoi settled on Vulcan Avenue and embraced life as a proud Leucadian, her family said. She worked in the produce department at Alpha Beta grocery store and later in food service at Earl Warren Middle School in Solana Beach.
Keliinoi eventually started her own business, Naomi’s Kitchen, and spent years working at Head Start, a federally funded food initiative for children. For fun, she and her kids took hula classes with local hula instructor Ginger “Keahi” Allen near Moonlight Beach.
In 1999, without prior restaurant experience, Keliinoi opened Kealani’s Hawaiian Restaurant, next to Manhattan Giant Pizza, at the corner of D and 2nd streets in downtown Encinitas.
The small eatery became a community hub, offering traditional Hawaiian plate lunches — kalua pig, teriyaki chicken, rice and macaroni salad — and Keliinoi’s signature teriyaki sauce that kept customers coming back for more.
The restaurant, which operated for 17 years, drew locals, tourists and beachgoers, who returned for the food and Keliinoi’s kindness and generosity. Every Wednesday night, she would close early to serve hot meals to the homeless from the back of her kitchen.
During the holidays, she hosted Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts for those in need, often wrapping gifts late into the night with her family.
“Through Kealani’s, she didn’t just share food; she shared love, culture, and a sense of belonging,” her son Kailani Keliinoi said. “Mom’s aloha spirit was truly her superpower — it was in everything she did, from how she cared for others to how she brought people together.”
According to her family, Keliinoi’s devotion to service was rooted in her Christian faith. As a single mother, she found strength in her relationship with God, eventually becoming a pastor at Awaken Church in San Diego. She regularly spoke at services and events, often inviting those she met in her community to join her at church.
“She’d pick up anyone at 7-Eleven or from the streets if they wanted to come to church,” her daughter said. “There was always an open seat in her (white Astro) van for anyone who wanted to go.”
In addition to running her restaurant, Keliinoi took over her late brother’s dog training business, Pacific Coast K9, in 2007. Known as “Bobby” to her clients, she balanced the business alongside her restaurant, demonstrating a boundless energy and love for animals.
Keliinoi’s impact on the community extended beyond her culinary and entrepreneurial ventures. Her ability to connect with people and her belief in the transformative power of faith inspired countless lives.
“Her legacy is a reminder to live with kindness, generosity, and an open heart,” her son said. “We are so grateful for the love she gave and the example she set.”
Keliinoi is survived by her son, Kailani; her daughter, Kelia; her brother, Howard Wendel; her five grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, James Joaquin Wendel and Bernice Pauahi Keliinoi, and her siblings, Sharon and Jay.
