It’s the Hawaiian food. For sure.

“After we changed the name to Surfin’ Aloha, we’ve been getting a lot of business,” said its new owner and manager, Maui Rott.

Surfin’ Aloha reopened in January at its location on Taylor Street in downtown Columbia.

With a new name, different food and the good graces of Rott, business has excelled.

The previous restaurant closed after just a couple of months.

“It used to be Surfin’ Sumo,” Rott said. “It was Japanese food. But the restaurant wasn’t getting much business, so I came and helped him out.”

The prior manager was a 21-year-old who now works with Rott as a staff member.

It’s up and running with more customers coming through the door, Rott said.

“I love their katsu and how flavorful it is,” said customer Katelyn Redding, who visited recently. “I also enjoy the staff and their uplifting vibes.”

Surfin’ Aloha is predominantly family-run and serving a variety of Hawaiian food.

“It’s me, my son, my niece, my wife and my cousin,” Rott said. “So, we’re the ones running the kitchen. I hired some college students to work in the front.”

Before Rott became the manager of Surfin’ Aloha, he was running the hibachi restaurant, Hanabi, just down the street. After hearing about what was going on at Surfin’ Sumo, he made his only focus helping turn around its sales and is no longer working at Hanabi.

With his extension of kindness, Surfin Aloha has done a full 180.

“Everything is good,” Rott said. “I like it because it’s just me and my family.”