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One topic of frequent conversation around town is a desire for more restaurant options. It seems locals want more food offerings besides the plentiful chicken specialties and fast food chains. There is now a restaurant in town that may cater to those wanting something different, especially those craving a more Hawaiian or Oceanian-style meal.

Located at the Bainbridge Marina off Airport Road, Ono Kine Local Grindz on the Flint has taken the place of what used to be Curly’s on the Flint. While Curly’s offered predominantly sandwiches, hamburgers and fries, Ono Kine offers a truly unique menu, of course that being Hawaiian cuisine. Owner Christine VanCamp, originally hailing from California, grew up on these sorts of dishes.

“On my mother’s side I grew up with some of the Hawaiian dishes I serve at our restaurant,” she said. “Our family get togethers would always consist of the Hawaiian noodles… rice, and kalbi, my auntie’s egg custard pie and mochi for dessert, kimchi always, and hopefully lumpia from my auntie.”

VanCamp would move to Florida in 2004, where she would meet her husband Jared, a Cairo native. The couple would eventually decide to move back to Georgia, settling in Decatur County rather than Cairo. While VanCamp initially made nothing but Mexican when she began cooking herself, when she considered opening a restaurant, “it seemed right to go with my family recipes along with other menu items,” she said.

In addition to the standard menu, Ono Kine offers daily specials, ranging from spam musubi to various Hawaiian noodle bowls, to name a few. Having only just opened their doors this past January, Ono Kine is still small, just a three-person team, and looking to hire more staff.

“We are thankful for everyone who has entered our restaurant so far and who has been extremely supportive and patient with us and all our hiccups!” VanCamp said. “We look forward to the future and as always God Bless You & Aloha from our kitchen to you.”

Business hours and daily specials can be found on the Ono Kine official Facebook account.