Local food truck owner opens brick-and-mortar amid pandemic

“Son, if you’re watching -- mommy wants you to know that I do this for you every day,” Navarro said.

“I just want to make you proud, son.

I love you."

Eight months into this pandemic -- i think its easy to say that this has been a challenging time for all of us in some way.

But -- even in the midst of*chaos and alot of uncertainty --- many people have rallied together to show their support.

Kezi 9 news reporter kennedy dendy spoke to one local business owner about a message*she has for the community -- after defying all odds.

"don't let anyone tell you you can't do it.

Keep fighting every day for what you want."

Chelsea navarro is from a small town in hawaii called makaha...on the island of oahu.'

Her journey began in 2012 -- when she started a small food business.

All her customers came from word of mouth.

"people were just handing me business cards&" but as navarro puts it...hard work and dedication lead to success.

In august of*last year, she opened a food truck in springfield.

But when the pandemic started -- she began to prepare for the worst.

"i was really nervous.

Pretty scared.

This is my income and how we take care of my family."

But she was one of the lucky ones.

Her truck stayed open and actually got more business since restaurants were shutting down left and right.

Then -- she got the call of a lifetime.

The opportunity to open her own*restaurant on coburg road in eugene...doors opened less than two weeks ago.

"they handed me a key, and i came to my truck and cried."

Bridge: for chacha's hawaiian grill...this space was once just a dream...and has now become a reality.

But it's not only about hawaiian cuisine, more importantly, it's about family.

Chelsy's brother, kaynoa, says he enjoys sharing a piece of his culture with the customers and carrying on the pride from hawaii, each and every day.

He's been by chelsy's side since the very beginning.

Kaynoa: "i got her back.

She's got mine until the wheels fall off."

And there's one very important person in chelsy's life..who keeps her pushing even on the most difficult of days.

"son, if you're watching.

Mommy, wants you to know that i do this for you every day.

I just want to make you proud son...i love you.

I'm going to cry.

This is for him."

Reporting in eugene kennedy dendy