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Health & Fitness

A Tribute to the Royal Hawaiian

I remember growing up with Marilyn Cabang, whose family owned the Royal Hawaiian.

I'm posting this painting of mine as a tribute to Marilyn Cabang, whose family owned the Royal Hawaiian. Marilyn was my childhood classmate at El Morro, Thurston Jr. High and Laguna Beach High School. Marilyn stood by her parents after the fire took their home in Laguna years ago, and she and her brother worked hard to keep the Royal Hawaiian alive and well for many years.

Marilyn was the kind of girl in school who was always kind to people. She always had a smile on her face, and she was a good student, too. I admire her and her family so much, and will greatly miss the Royal Hawaiian. I'll post below what I said on the comment page under the article about the closing of the restaurant:

I never went into the Royal Hawaiian after the Cabangs left it. I heard that it just wasn't the same, and I couldn't bear seeing that. Marilyn Cabang was my classmate all through grade school and high school in Laguna. I have fond memories of when she invited all the kids in our class to the restaurant to celebrate her birthday, and then she danced the hula for us for entertainment. That's Marilyn for you! A party for her and SHE'S the one giving!

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Their family worked so hard to keep the restaurant going. I loved the service and the food! AND the atmosphere could not be beat. But they deserved to have a break. The food business is hard and long. When I saw Marilyn on the Patriots Day Parade route, she said she reads my PATCH blogs!!! Just knowing that someone like her cares enough to read what I have to say makes me feel great!

Thank you Marilyn!!! Thank you for all you did to make the Royal Hawaiian what it was. I'm sorry the new people couldn't make it work, but I will always miss "the way it was"—boo hoo!!! Let's hope that when one good thing leaves, other good things will come. OXOXOX

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