Shiro's Philosophical Saimin

Shiro Matsuo is quite a guy, probably the most famous local saimin proprietor in the history of the state of Hawaii.

Not only does he serve dozens of varieties of the famous noodle soup, he's a poet. Shiro is not a poet laureate, and he certainly has trouble with syntax, meter and rhyme. But behind those words (some of which I'm sure he's made up) lies some deep philosophy.

Take for example, the poem on the left: Dear Hearts, I like a guy who can take it as well as dish it out. / I can't stand a guy who will only poute. / A guy who can't take it, should shut his moute. / Thank you kindly, / This is what it's all about.

See what I mean? Nothing fancy, just his own particular point of view, one I'm sure most of us have thought about at one time or another when we listen to complainers.

It's just something to think about when you're having your bowl of saimin in his shop, surrounded by his framed poetry (he's even got them all in a book that you can pick up at the register for about ten bucks).

And, he doesn't miss a chance, or pause a second to promote his business, or saimin:

Dear Hearts,

Saimin, Saimin,

Anyttime is Saimin Time

Be It Breakfast, Lunch Or Dinner

Or A Snack After Dinner

Its Proven A Winner

At Shiro's "Mistah Saimin Haven"

Yep, his punctuation is lousy, and he should have used "It's" instead of "Its." But you know what? I'll give him a pass on this. It just adds to the charm of his work.

Now, if you've read the ID caption below his photo in the first picture in upper right, you'll see that it was taken in 1942 when he was a 21-year-old buck private in the U.S. Army. He was paid $21 a month and claims the title of Latrine orderly "Champ" (self-proclaimed, of course, due to lack of competition).

Not bad for a young man from Hawaii who weighed 110 pounds "bare ass," and stood 5-4½ in his bare feet.

Go eat some saimin, Shiro's Saimin Haven is at 98-020 Kamehameha Highway in Aiea, phone (808) 488-8824.