Hughley’s Southern Cuisine serves up 4 generations of soul food recipes

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - To celebrate Black History Month, HNN visited a Black family-owned business in Aiea — Hughley’s Southern Cuisine — that’s been serving authentic Southern food for a decade.

Military veteran Ken Hughley and his daughter Kyra give us a taste of Arkansas, Mississippi and Alabama.

“I think that Black History Month is a time where you can really see how much influence black people have had on everybody. It’s also doesn’t hurt to learn about other people and their culture,” Kyra Hughley said.

The father-daughter duo describe the food as “recipes. grandma’s way,” especially their signature cornbread, which is made with flour, sugar, corn mill, eggs, butter, milk, salt, baking powder ... and of course love.

“Just mixing all the ingredients together, sifting them, let it sit and bake it off,” Ken Hughley said.

When asked how the restaurant has been able to thrive for 10 years and survive the pandemic, Kyra Hughley said: “I definitely think hard work. being adaptable. That was something that nobody was expecting, of course, and we kind of just made the adjustments where we needed to be.”

Ken Hughley added he’s “very thankful” for his success.

“I’ve always wanted to have a restaurant as a kid. Always would always watch my grandmother. And so to be able to follow the dreams for that man is just amazing. And for it to be 10 years. Wow. Awesome.”

He added that one of the toughest things he’s grappling with now is rising food costs.

Hughley’s is hosting a Black History Month karaoke night on Saturday at 6:30 p.m.

Admission is $8, and $5 with military ID. Dine-in service is 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.

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