Moon Kim owned the Silver Spring restaurant that became Luau Hut, originally called Moon's Garden, which served Korean food. She met (and fell in love with) Paul Malonson, who had been maitre d' at the Trader Vic's in Washington, D.C. He inspired her to go Polynesian with her restaurant in 1964. It was elaborately decorated, and immensely popular. They soon opened locations in Washington, D.C., first on Capitol Hill, and another short-lived one near Dupont Circle. Luau Hut lasted through at least partway through the '80s, the building still stands but has been remodeled beyond recognition.