One of Kaua‘i’s most colorful chapters of history ended Thursday when Emma “Mama” Ouye died at home at the age of 99. The stories told about ‘Mama’ Ouye are legendary. John Wayne used to swim from a ship John Ford
One of Kaua‘i’s most colorful chapters of history ended Thursday when Emma “Mama” Ouye died at home at the age of 99.
The stories told about ‘Mama’ Ouye are legendary. John Wayne used to swim from a ship John Ford left anchored in Nawiliwili Harbor while they were here filming “Donovan’s Reef” and leave big wet footprints on the deck of her Nawiliwili restaurant, Club Jetty.
Finally the feisty proprietor scared him out of the bad habit by having him toss a fish head into the harbor to prove that her stories about a large shark living round the pilings of the restaurant were true.
President Reagan once gave her the White House Hot Line number in case she ever needed it an emergency. She kept it filed away until November 1982 when Hurricane ‘Iwa hit and then she made the call, connecting with an aide who was granted authority to dispatch a Naval vessel to Nawiliwili, where it supplied power for the hospital and other key locations.
Emma ‘Mama; Ouye was born Oct. 13, 1907, in Hanalei, where her family owned a general store. Educated at Hanalei School, she attended high school in Honolulu and Lihu‘e and pursued a career in teaching at college.
She and her husband Munji Ouye raised children Betty, Marion and William and hanai on Bill “Kaipo” Asing, son of her deceased sister.
In 1946, she entered the restaurant business as owner and operator of the original Kauai Steak House, Hale Aina. That same year, she opened Club Jetty which became synonymous with her name. Known for its delicious Chinese food, Club Jetty also provided nightly and weekend entertainment, featuring performers ranging from Kui Lee to the Kingston Trio.
In 2005, Kaua‘i Historical Society paid tribute to the women associated with three of the island’s most famous nightspots: Grace Guslander (Coco Palms), Louise Marston (Tahiti Nui) and Mama Ouye (Club Jetty).
In its remarks about Ouye and her restaurant, the society noted that Club Jetty “became a must for visiting celebrities from Washington, D.C., to Hollywood and beyond. They were all charmed by Mama and her casual Aloha, returning again for the wonderful food and the good times.”
Mama Ouye was revered by many who knew her for being as honest and strict at Club Jetty as she was in her life. Last year, a grand party celebrated her 99th birthday on the site that the restaurant stood until it was destroyed by Hurricane ‘Iniki in 1992. Another would have marked her 100th birthday this weekend.
Emma Ouye is survived by sons William (Anita) Ouye of Wailua and Kaipo (Patsy) Asing of Lihu‘e; daughters Betty (Bill) Nestuk of Lihu‘e and Marian (Wilson) Miyashiro of Wailua; 24 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; 13 great-great-grandchildren; and sister Annie (William) Chong Hing Asing.
Friends may visit with the family from noon to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 14, at the Garden Island Mortuary chapel; where service will begin at 2 p.m.
Burial will take place at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16, at Kauai Memorial Gardens. Casual attire is suggested.
