HONOLULU (HI Now) - In 2009, a father on the North Shore of Oahu quietly bought a small restaurant behind a gas station in Kahuku without telling any of his seven sons. His announcement was simple: “Too bad, I already bought it. Everyone’s working on Monday.” Seth Hanneman, the third of the seven brothers, was the biggest skeptic. But they all showed up, and over time, they all fell in love with what they were building.
The brothers each developed their own signature creations, crafting a menu of handcrafted, homemade burgers that would become legendary on the North Shore. Their commitment to quality guided by their father’s principle of doing everything “as homemade as possible” along with a deep spirit of ohana and humility, became the soul of Seven Brothers. The crown jewel of the menu, the Paniolo Burger, remains their number one best seller to this day.
In the early days, payroll was uncertain and the brothers were navigating financial waters they didn’t know existed. That’s where Mele Dwayne, Kahuku Branch Manager for First Hawaiian Bank, became essential providing small business loans, lines of credit, and patient hands-on guidance that kept Seven Brothers afloat and positioned them for growth. “It was like a big hug every time an approval came through,” Seth said warmly.
What started as a single hole-in-the-wall has since grown into a thriving multi-location brand, four locations on the North Shore of Oahu, nine in Utah, and three in Phoenix with all seven brothers still working in the business and now passing the torch to their own children. Seth calls the partnership with First Hawaiian Bank “a total blessing,” describing it as far more than a client-bank relationship. “Our success is their success,” he said. “It’s like family taking care of family.”
In celebration of Small Business Month, First Hawaiian Bank is spotlighting local businesses like Seven Brothers throughout the month of May, and inviting the community to follow along on Instagram for a chance to win one of five $100 gift cards each week. Whether you’re an established business owner or just dreaming of starting something new, Mele’s message is simple: “Stop by the Kahuku Branch, I’m there to help you and support you.” And Seth’s message is even simpler: “Always support local.”
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