The Tottori family is bringing their Hawaiian heritage to Schertz through plates from Howzit Hawaiian Kitchen.

The locally-owned restaurant, located at 1420 Schertz Parkway, Ste. 290, opened in November 2024.

The inspiration

A native to Hawaii, Owner Alden Tottori managed restaurants in California and Hawaii before moving to Schertz to be closer to his wife's family. Tottori said he had always considered opening and owning his own restaurant, and in November 2024, that became reality.

Tottori said his family and friends gave him the final nod of approval after trying his Hawaiian cuisine. Then he saw an opportunity to open his restaurant when a space became available within the Parkway Village Shopping Center.


"We’re happy that we could stay in our own community surrounded by our friends and family,” Tottori said.

On the menu

Howzit Hawaiin Kitchen's menu is an ode to Tottori's Honolulu roots. The restaurant mixes different concepts of Hawaiian food, such as Japanese, Korean and Chinese, mixed with Polynesian culture to break down the barrier of what Hawaiian comfort regional cuisine is, Tottori said.

Howzit Hawaiian Kitchen's menu features Hapa plates with meat selections such as Hawaiian Salted Pork with Cabbage and Beach BBQ Chicken—which is marinated for 48 hours before being put on the grill. Another meat option is the Hawaiian Tasty Fried Chicken. The Hawaiian Tasty Fried Chicken is served crispy, similar to how other mom and pop shops would serve it in Hawaii, Tottori said.


Howzit Hawaiian Kitchen also provides catering services throughout the area, and hopes to add menu items such as Poke in the future.

What's special about it?

Tottori said Hawaii is very family-oriented, something that is reflected in the inner workings of the restaurant.

Alden's wife, Mishean, runs much of the daily kitchen operations. His daughters, Mia and Chayce, also chip in.


Mia, a recent graduate of Samuel Clemens High School, works as a baker and sous chef, while Norma J. Paschal Elementary School student Chayce learns tips from her big sister.

“They get to learn what real work is,” Tottori said. “It’s not easy, it’s hard work, but in the end, when you have a customer that gets their food for the first time and [says] ‘Oh my God, it was so good’ ... that’s the biggest reward.”