After opening a successful Moe’s Southwest Grill location at the Schofield Barracks Exchange in 2023, Kristiana Kim, who operates the Hawaii locations of the Mexican/Tex-Mex restaurant, wanted to continue serving military communities.
When space opened at the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Exchange, Kim pursued that opportunity and worked with the JBPHH Exchange team to open a second location. The Exchange’s second Moe’s held its grand opening Dec. 10 at the Kuntz Express at Hickam.
Kim and JBPHH Commander Capt. Samuel White joined Hawaii Consolidated Exchange General Manager Julia Woods and Services Business Manager Jennifer Estrella for the ribbon-cutting. As a gesture of gratitude, Kim provided leis to Hickam Exchange leadership, the command team and members of the grand-opening team.
“Working with the Exchange has given me the opportunity to extend our vision and mission to the military community,” Kim said. “This partnership has also provided me with growth and stability, allowing me to create a fun, healthy and supportive work environment.”
Airmen and other Hickam community members lined up for burritos, quesadillas and more. The restaurant had more than 400 transactions on grand opening day, as well as serving hundreds of customers during a Dec. 8-9 soft opening.
“Every new opening like this represents teamwork, service and community,” Woods said. “We’re grateful to Ms. Kim and her team for choosing to partner with the Exchange and for sharing our mission of supporting the men and women who serve and their families.”
Kim, who previously operated a Moe’s location at Honolulu’s Pearlridge Center for 15 years, said that although she does not have a direct connection to the military, the military community has been the foundation of her customer base since her early years as a Moe’s operator.
“Their support has played a significant role in my growth and success, and it has shaped who I am today as a business owner,” she said.
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