After becoming a helicopter pilot and working as a paramedic, for 17 years, Jeremy Claridge, consulted his wife, Rochelle Claridge, and decided to find a job that would allow him to be home more.
“We literally drove all over the state looking for places where I could go fly,” said Jeremy Claridge. “We just felt this pull that we needed to come to Idaho for some reason. Can’t really explain it.”
When the couple decided they needed to make the move they wondered what they would do without their favorite Hawaiian restaurant, Kainoa’s. Jeremy said they’d bring it with them.
The couple spoke wit their friend and the original, Arizona store’s owner about franchising. Once approved, they trained for three weeks with no pay and opened the only other existing Kainoa’s in Rexburg, Idaho.
Jeremy Claridge said Kainoa’s offers a large variety of foods, setting them apart from other food stops in the area.
“We call ourselves Hawaiian plate lunch with mainland fusion,” said Jeremy Claridge. “And what I mean by that is we have Hawaiian style tacos and wraps and big hearty salads with meat on them, it's just good stuff. “
The Clarridges said they didn’t necessarily want to leave their home in Arizona but following the spiritual impression to come to Rexburg has been rewarding.
“We’ve seen a lot of family blessings just in our kids, some of the friendships that they’ve made, some of the church callings that we’ve had. Different people we’ve met along the way,” Rochelle Claridge said. “You can see the Lord has put you where he wants you, you just have to listen.”
To hear more about Kainoa’s and its owners, listen to the full interview on BYU-Idaho Radio’s podcast on Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.