 with me, Wendy Loh. We are coming to you from our studios in downtown Honolulu at the ThinkTech Hawaii Studios and from my home office in Makiki. Today, we shall take you down memory lane with Shantel Weaver, who's the daughter of Spence Weaver, the founder of Spence Clif Corporation. Welcome, Shantel Weaver. Aloha, welcome. Thank you. Before we get started, let's talk a little bit about the founders of Spence Clif. So please, share a little bit about your father. My father, Spencer Fullerton Weaver Jr. and his brother, Clifton Stokes Weaver, co-founded Spence Clif Enterprises in 1939. Wow. Lots of history there. From 1939, they started this. But I understand that your father didn't get his start in just restaurants in the beginning. There must have been another passion in his career. What did he do before he ventured into restaurants? Well, he was a graduate of Yale University and he also went on to college. And his father was from New York. And so I think he followed in his father's footsteps in real estate. Wow. So share with us a little bit about what kind of real estate did he dive into? I think my father was interested in business development somehow. And he was able to find this niche in Hawaii and turned it into a restaurant corporation. Wow. I know you have your family's name on many very famous hotels in New York and a likes of. Just give us a few hotel names that your family is involved with. Well, my grandfather and his partner Leonard Schultz of Schultz & Weaver designed many of the famous landmark hotels, such as the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, the Waldorf Astoria, and many others as well. I know that you were in New York and you went to visit one of the hotels. And tell us what was that like? We wanted to visit the Park Lane Hotel, which is one of the hotels that my grandfather not only owned, but he also lived there after they lived at the Waldorf Astoria. And it was a nice experience to see what my grandfather actually built. And it brought you back into a different era, the era of the Park Lane Hotel. What a beautiful era and time that was with all the fancy dresses and all the pomp and circumstance of just going out and dressing up. Don't we just miss those days? Very much so. I mean, here in Hawaii, dress up is nice pair of slippers versus stockings and nylons and high heels and just the likes of. I love those that era. I love the day that we dress up like that. And wow, I bet you when you walked into that hotel, you just could feel all the history and all the romance as well in that hotel. Exactly. Thank you very much. I do. So I heard that your father had a liking towards hot dogs and I didn't know this until I read a little bit and I heard you speak on it. But I believe that it was a company called Swanky Frankie. So please share with us what Swanky Frankie is all about. Well, the story that I had heard is that my father came here around the world with his father, major S. Fullerton Weaver, the architect, and they fell in love with Hawaii, he and his brother. And my father remembered the beaches and there was no one servicing the beaches at that time. But yet he did remember that there were some hot dog carts in New York that were servicing the Longshoremen. So they bought the franchise of six stainless steel hot dog carts for $30,000 in 1939 and brought it to Hawaii. Wow. And so where were the Swanky Frankie hot dog carts? Where were they parked? They were actually parked at the boarded-up mushroom drive-in on Inner Rhone, which my father and his brother purchased. I believe to be able to service those hot dog carts so they could replenish them when they came back from selling all the hot dogs and hamburgers and drinks at the beaches. So they managed the carts or they supplied other carts? They managed the carts and resupplied, restocked those carts. Now if anything, Chantel, I think you should bring back Swanky Frankie. What a catchy name. He sounds so cool and so swanky. He's like, wow, classy hot dog. And I think you shouldn't have vegetarian hot dogs, hot dogs with sauerkraut and all the likings up. Everyone goes crazy over hot dogs. So true because you could put anything on it. Yeah. And make it from any country or any level. Plain hot dog, just ketchup and mustard, but you can swank it up if you want to. And that's what this is all about. So that would be something maybe you and I should talk about. We can. I mean, that's your family legacy. This is where it all began, right? Yeah. And now, you know, lunch wagons are the thing. Right. So I don't know if my father started that lunch wagon thing back in 1939 or not. Right. But wow, what history and people would come from all over the world just because of the name and the history behind it and we glamorize it. I mean, look at you, Ms. Glamour, Ms. Glamour Tushy over there, right? You could be on the cover girl holding that hot dog. People would come. So I know there are so many restaurants. I believe there's at least 50 or more that your family has started. But one of my favorites, of course, is the Tahitian Lanai. And I know it was one of the flagships restaurants for a long time. Can you share with us maybe one of your fondest memories of Tahitian Lanai? I think my fondest memories is that there was a bungalow or a hut named after me, Princess Moyarii. And it was an open air area with the swimming pool and you could look out over the lagoon. So I just love that outdoor feeling. And they had wonderful Tahitian Lanai banana muffins, which you've tasted, Wendy. And also delicious popovers. So not only did you have the ambiance, but you also had the food and you also had that, well, my father and my family went there along. I love just the whole idea of those bungalows, those huts. And we used to sell those huts out like crazy. I say we because I did work there for a short time and I just loved every minute. And believe it or not, before Tahitian Lanai, I was very shy and quiet. And I got a lot of training from Tahitian Lanai because it really taught me to embrace who we are as a local, locals as well as embracing the visitors that we had or that came from all over the world to just dine at the Tahitian Lanai. So lots of fond memories and growth for me as well at the Tahitian Lanai. So I know that you guys are, of course, Tahitian Lanai is Tahiti from Tahiti. The name is from Tahiti. And I know that there's a lot of story behind Spence Cliff and Tahiti. Tell us what is the relationship between Spence Cliff and Tahiti? Well, my father married my mother in 1959. And because he was married to a Tahitian, he could own property in Tahiti. So my understanding is that a year later in 1959, they were able to build the Hotel Tahiti as a traditional Tahitian hotel, as you can see here. And because of that, my father also was able to acquire the Tahiti Village Beach Hotel, which is the only hotel on the White Sand Beach on the island of Tahiti. Wow. And so you, as a young lady, spent a lot of time in Tahiti. Is that safe to say? Yes. I think because of the business, my father had to go there quite often. And so we would spend the summer months there. So I had to learn French and Tahitian because I played with my cousins who didn't speak any English. Wow. And so that's why you also have such a passion for that country, those islands, and your Tahitian, your French is like amazing. I mean, you even carry a slight accent. You knew that, right? Yes. Some people say I have an Italian accent, and I'm not Spanish. Yeah. So I hear some accent going there, and it's beautiful, so don't ever lose it. But Tahiti, I mean, what are your fond memories of Tahiti growing up there as well? Gosh, we had the run of the house. We had two hotels. We could have anything we wanted, anything to eat, anything to drink. We were catered. The employees treated us like family and watched over us to make sure that we were safe. And I was able to snorkel and paddle canoe in front of our hotel Tahiti Village Beach Hotel because it was like turquoise blue oceans with the reefs there. And just a lot of good memories, just being able to play in a safe environment. What a great, great experience and childhood you had. And that's probably why you're so balanced and successful today. Your upbringing was solid. So I know that your father is a true business man. I've met him many times. But he cherished his family so, so much. Was he gentle? Was he a gentle and loving father? Oh, yeah, he really was. He really loved my sister and I very much. And spoiled us. We've got all kinds of gifts. I got a brand new blinking continental on my 16th birthday. We were showered with all kinds of jewelry, anything we wanted actually. And also I had an older half brother who took, you know, he took good care of him as well. Wow. And so what color was your first car? Yeah, that was my first car. A pink? No, it wasn't pink. It was, I think like a taupe color, I think, or brownish golden brown color. Oh, I see. He wanted to tone you down a little bit even though you had the best looking car in town, right? Possibly. Tone you down a little because you were, even as a young lady, I'm sure you were as beautiful as you are today. So back in the day, Hawaii didn't have a lot of restaurants and not a lot of restaurants on the ocean front. But I know that you had also the fisherman's wharf. And it did have that claim that it had ocean view or water view, which I so desire. Whatever happened to the fisherman's wharf. Well, several years ago, when Ohaha had acquired it, I actually went to the meeting with some of the executives, and I pleaded with them to save the building because it was a historic building. And we could prove that. However, I wasn't successful because they want to develop that area, you know, and I can understand that as well. But I wish they would have tried to save a historic building. Right. And you know, yes, I think if it was maybe of this day where people are more outgoing and vocal, maybe you would have had a better team behind you to help you fight because it's a shame that the fisherman's wharf is not there. It's truly a shame because Hawaii, being a water country or water state, we should have a fisherman's wharf. We should have that whole wharf built up with lots of businesses selling retail as well as food and people would have come down and stroll along that way. If they had kept that building and revitalized that area, it would have been so admirable to have that here. But now when you go down there, all we have is memories. But what great memories Shantel that was created there. And going back to that slide, I know that they had that picture of the menu with that happy face. And you know, again, I did work at the fisherman's wharf as well. I had two jobs with Spence Cliff. One was in the day at Fisherman's Wharf. And at night, I would be a hostess at the Tahitian Lanai. But I remember those menus and I just thought they were the cutest things. The kids would come and hook them around their ears and have their little cakey menu. So I mean, that tells me that your daddy, he really admired children and the family and he really honored them. That's probably why he had all these goodies for them. Is that right? He did as well as the treasure chest. We had several treasure chests in our different restaurants so that the kids could get a free toy. Right. And you know, that was also another wow, because I just being that I worked in these restaurants that have them, which are your two restaurants, I thought all restaurants took care of their people that way, their customers and their cakeies. But now that I think about it, you guys were special, especially with the cakey menus as well as that toy chest. I mean, they weren't like, you know, diamonds and rubies, but they were toys that kids would go in and fish through and grab one. And then they would occupy them. And it was a gift from your company to the families that died there. It was a Mahalo gift. That was amazing. Yeah, it was. It was a Mahalo gift, thanking the children and the families for coming and enjoying our restaurants. Yeah. You know, I got to talk about the Tahitian Lanai. I know you had 50 plus restaurants, but these two are close to my heart. So I got to talk about the Tahitian Lanai again. So it had a personality of its own. I know. And it felt so warm and inviting to locals as well as all the visitors. It was a must while visiting Hawaii. What do you feel, besides the bungalows, what do you feel made the Tahitian Lanai, I used to call it TL, so special? I think it was probably the Polynesian decor. And we also have what we call the piano bar. Yes. Would love to come and, you know, just sit around the piano bar and sing and enjoy themselves. Yeah. As well as the Tahitian Lanai banana muffins, the poplar, and the chicken curry and the papaya. I mean, there's so many. Also, that's where I learned to make table side Caesar salad. Oh my God. Okay. And I had, you know, I'm a country bumpkin from Miley, right? But they had to teach me how to make this salad. I'm like, what is this? What a raw egg and garlic and you mash it up with stinky anchovies. But you know what? I perfected it. I mastered it. I used to get choke tips from that table side service. Until today, I still make that same recipe that I learned at Tahitian Lanai. And yeah, that's my claim to fame is that I still make it and everybody loves it. You know, there's something about making a table side, which was really special. It was, you know, being made just for you and your guests. Right. And you know, like you said, that piano bar, everybody came pouring in, pouring in to go sit at that bar. That bar was like lively and hop in it. I remember I think the pianist or her name was Marianne. Is that? Yes, I think there wasn't Marianne. Yeah. She used to come in and sing and everybody would sing along with her and of course drink and be married. But you know that's what the piano bar is all about. And you know, never have too many of those around back in the day. So true. So you guys are cutting edge. I loved it. So again, I know with over 50 restaurants, but all very different culinary selections, you've had at least one steak house. So tell us about the ranch house. Oh gosh, the ranch house. That was a family restaurant. And I think the reason why my family took it over, because it used to be M's ranch house, is because in the Aina Jaina area, there really wasn't any place for families to go. As the families would love coming there. I remember the treasure chest. I remember the breadsticks that they would have on the table with a marshmallow sauce, and you could dip those breadsticks in, which occupy not only the children, but the adults as well. Right. Yeah. And we also had connected to that, the bar area, and we brought in a lot of very famous entertainers. I remember Skippy, and Israel, the Makkah sons, I believe it was, Omana, and so many other entertainers as well. Yes. And I know your papa, he loved his employees. My mother worked at Top Swai Pahu. She probably was there from the very beginning until she left and went to heaven. But she worked there. I think she has all those diamonds on her pen, like you said. And that was cutting edge back then as well, that they would give each employees after, was it 20 years or? I think after five years they got the gold pen. They decorated it with diamonds or some studs. So I still have it. In fact, the next time I see you, I want to show you that it's been very dear to my heart. So Spenskliff, they supplied so many great memories to so many families. And I'm just knowing you and I know your heart to continue to revive it and keep it alive. I'm going to be right there by your side because I'm part of that legacy. So I know your passions for your dad's legacy lives on. But what's next for what you want to do with Spenskliff? Well, I'd like to honor his memory and doing so. I'd like to create a documentary to honor his legacy with all the 50 plus Spenskliff restaurants. But more importantly, to honor the employees such as yourself and your mother and others who made Spenskliff what it was. Because without all of you and our customers, our loyal customers as well, Spenskliff wouldn't have become as great as it was. Yes, and it was great. So how about I know you talked about a documentary. How about are you preparing yourself to write a book? Yes, I'd like to write a book as well because I've already started a PowerPoint. So why not document all of the memorabilia that I do have? Yeah, but girlfriend, your PowerPoint probably had like 20 or 30 shots. You probably have a few thousand shots that you are going to have to thumb thumbing thousands with all the years of memories of people that came into your lives, into your restaurants, from all over the world. It should be phenomenal this book and even the documentary. And if there's any way, anybody out there can help Chantel to put this into a documentary. I think this is well, it's the time is now that we get this to come to fruition. Thank you so very much. I really appreciate that. And you know, Chantel, I know a few years ago you had created a reunion with the employees. Don't you think it's time for another one? Because we're still out there. We're young and vibrant and we still have the memories. It's so good to just sit down and talk story with everybody. So can you tell us that in the planning? That sounds like a great idea. I wanted to launch my documentary or what have you, maybe possibly by the end of the year so I can invite former employees and former customers to come and just, you know, relive that era that was so wonderful that I missed even to this day. Right. I think that's a great idea. So again, any Spenska workers out there, when you get the word that Chantel is organizing this event, and what you can do, Chantel, is make sure that we have on video photographers there so that you'll take each person, not each, as many as you can, and sit down and talk story with them. And you're going to hear more stories from their hearts. You may learn a thing or two more that you were not maybe exposed to and just let them share all their great memories of what Spenska have had to offer to all of us. I would love that. Yes. So tell us one story that I want you to share because I just learned about it about your, one of your first, I want to say, is it a hotel signature property that was, it went in the wrong direction because of some political figurehead. I just learned about this the other day from you. So can you share a little bit about that? Yes. That was one of our flagship restaurants from the very beginning. When Spenskliff started, that was a queen's surf. And it was located in Waikiki across from Kapiolani Park on the ocean. And we had the barefoot bar upstairs with Sterling Mossman and Varua Tikki and many other entertainers. I believe even Don Ho and also Puy Lee started their careers there. We had Tavana in the garden bar. We had Hilo Hattie. I always remember Hilo Hattie having a raccoon tail. She was the star of our luau. Anyway, my father wouldn't contribute to Frank Fossey's campaign. So Mayor Frank Fossey found a way to shut my father down and turn that location into a park. And many of the people of Hovaikiki that patronized our restaurants, especially the queen's surf, were up in arms about that. And there were shirts made that said queen's surf, a safe queen's surf. Yes. Wow. And so what happened after all the protests and the fight? I mean, what happened to queen's surf? It got demolished and now it's a park. However, that didn't stop my father and his brother from building or opening up or acquiring another restaurant. They just kept going. Right. Because that was the beginning of the Spence Cliff era, right? That was one of the first? That was one of the first. I believe they also had the terminal restaurant at the airport. They also serviced the military because we owned a bakery. So we were able to provide, I believe, a lot of roles and other things as well, I'm sure, for the military. Wow. And people may not remember or know, but you had a major catering company. I remember Alamoana shopping center. They had the banquet halls. Yes. A lot of the parties and functions we attended were in those Spence Cliff banquet halls. And we looked forward to all those parties. Yes. We did have the Alamoana banquet halls, Alamoana coffee shop, as well as Prisco Hotel, which was downstairs at the Alamoana shopping center, closer to the old Sears location. So many great memories, so many. And thanks to your father and Spence Cliff corporation, I know that the gift to all employees were gift certificates to dine at your restaurants. And so I must mahalo all of you because of what you gave to my family, I acquired a gift of appreciating good food and becoming a foodie. And so we used those gift certificates. We dined at Yarn Harbor Towers, Ranchos, South Seas. You name it, we've been there and went to most every of the restaurants because you guys took such great care of my mom as well as when I worked there. So of course we had to mahalo and we appreciated everything that you all stood for, for the love of employees, which is so admirable of the Spence Cliff corporation. So I just wanted to make sure that I had you on today so you could share a little bit about the past with all of us. So right now we've come to an end. So I wanted to mahalo and mahalo to you, Chantel Weaver, the president and CEO of Spence Cliff corporation. You've been watching Taking Your Health Back with Wendy. Thank you Chantel for talking story with us and taking us down memory lane. So much rich history that you must continue to share it in your documentary, in your upcoming book and looking forward to the next reunion for all Spence Cliff employees. So once you get the word out, everybody, have your friends and make sure they are there and present because it's going to be documented. Right, Chantel? Yes, mahalo Wendy. Thank you so much. We'll be back in a few weeks with Taking Your Health Back with Wendy. Aloha everyone.