Duke’s, the renowned seaside restaurant in Malibu, has faced significant setbacks following a series of natural disasters. After surviving the devastating Palisades fire in January, which left many structures in ruins, the restaurant was preparing to reopen after extensive smoke damage cleanup. However, heavy rainfall on Thursday led to mudslides from the nearby scorched hillsides, inundating Las Flores Canyon Road and causing mud to flow across the Pacific Coast Highway and into Duke’s parking lot.
Manager Jimmy Chaves informed the Malibu Times that the restaurant will remain closed for several months, exacerbating the economic difficulties faced by its staff of 130 employees. Among them, six individuals have lost their homes due to the fire, highlighting the personal toll of these disasters on the local community.
The mudslides also resulted in the closure of a portion of the Pacific Coast Highway in front of Duke’s, although one lane has been reopened for emergency and cleanup efforts. Duke’s has been a cherished gathering spot for both tourists and locals for decades, named in honor of Hawaiian surfing legend Duke Kahanamoku.
Adding to the restaurant’s legacy, Kathy Kohner Zuckerman, who inspired the 1959 film “Gidget,” continues to serve as an “Ambassador of Aloha” at Duke’s, embodying the spirit and history of the establishment. The challenges faced by Duke’s are part of a larger narrative of recovery and resilience in Malibu, as the community grapples with the aftermath of both fire and flood.