HAWAII'S FOOD FESTIVALS
Author: Lance Tominaga
It’s true: The people of Hawai‘i love to throw a party. The bigger, the better. Wherever you go in the islands, there’s bound to be a festival taking place, with all types of food, entertainment, games and more. Some festivals are big, some are small, but each one offers generous servings of warm aloha spirit.
The largest festival happens each June on the island of O‘ahu. Taste of Honolulu, is a three-day event that showcases food samplings from more than 25 of the island’s top restaurants. In addition to the great food, there’s live musical entertainment, cooking demonstrations, wine tastings, a beer garden and family exhibits. There’s a nominal admission charge, and food is sold by scrip.
A similar benefit takes place on Maui each September. A Taste of Lahaina, a two-day event at Lahaina Recreation Park, offers savory samplings from more than 25 Maui restaurants—from mahimahi over jasmine rice to spaghetti and meatballs. The event benefits several youth groups on the island, including schools and athletic organizations.
The resort area of Wailea has its own food event. Part of the Maui Film Festival, the Taste of Wailea features Wailea’s top chefs preparing mouthwatering portions of their signature dishes (which are, naturally, accompanied by some of the world’s finest wines).
Each summer, food and wine aficionados from all over the country head to Kapalua on Maui for the Kapalua Wine & Food Festival. Regarded as Hawaii’s most prestigious and longest running food and wine extravaganza, this four-day event features exclusive wine tasting seminars, cooking demonstrations by internationally acclaimed chefs and a fantastic selection of the world’s premier wines.
On the Big Island, the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival takes place each November. The 10-day festival includes more than 30 community events, including coffee tastings, art exhibits, recipe contests and more.
These are just a few of the festivals that highlight Hawaii’s special events calendar. Be sure to check ahead and see what’s coming up during your Hawaiian stay!
FORT RUGER MARKET
3585 ALOHEA AVE
HONOLULU, HI
(808) 737-4531
The pickled Maui onions, kiawe-smoked tako, fried ahi belly, teri ahi jerky, ogo kim chee, smoked marlin, taegu, boiled peanuts, bentos, sashimi-grade poke, haupia and poi. Also available is a variety of Hawaiian-style plate lunches stacked with laulau, kalua pig, lomilomi salmon and beef stew.
Price level = $
Absolutely the best Hawaiian food in Honolulu is served daily in this tiny neighborhood restaurant where the décor is a few cramped wooden booths and baseball caps hung on the wall. When there's no room inside to eat, people stand in line on the sidewalk, often with six-packs of beer under their arms, as Ono has no liquor license. Inside order the combination plates---kalua pig, pipi kaula (a Hawaiian beef jerky), laulau (pork and taro tops steamed inside ti leaves), lomi lomi salmon (with tomatoes and green onion). We suggest rice instead of poi for the uninitiated. If you can't wait, order take-out and eat in Kapiolani Park down the street, but don't miss Ono, or you'll miss real Hawaiian food.
GERMAINE'S LUAU
444 HOBRON LN # 501
HONOLULU, HI
(808) 941-3338
HAILI'S HAWAIIAN FOODS
1020 AUAHI ST
HONOLULU, HI
(808) 593-8019
HALEIWA POI INC
99-1093 IWAENA ST # D
AIEA, HI
(808) 486-5757
LUAU KING
1400 KAPIOLANI BLVD # C4
HONOLULU, HI
(808) 953-2226
MASA & JOYCE
45-582 KAMEHAMEHA HWY
KANEOHE, HI
(808) 235-6129
PARADISE COVE LUAU
1860 ALA MOANA BLVD # 401
HONOLULU, HI
(808) 842-7911
TAM'S KALUA SVC
98-823 HILIU PL
AIEA, HI
(808) 488-3203
WINDWARD POI BOWL
45-1117 KAMEHAMEHA HWY # 106
KANEOHE, HI
(808) 236-2695
DIAMOND HEAD GRILL
W Honolulu Hotel
2885 Kalakaua Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96815
(Honolulu / Waikiki Area)
Tel. (808) 922-3734
Hawaii Regional cuisine with an Asian emphasis. (D $$$)
KAPIOLANI COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Food Service & Hospitality Educ. Dept.
4303 Diamond Head Road
Honolulu, HI 96816
(Southeast Oahu)
Tel. (808) 734-9499 for reservation
Cafeteria. (BL $)
220 Grille (L $)
Ka Ikena Fine Dining (LD $$)
Tamarind Cafe (L $)
One of Oahu's hidden secrets: gourmet food prepared by Hawaii's future chefs. Famous alumni include Sam Choy and Alan Wong, two of the originators of Hawaii Regional cuisine. Open weekdays mid-September to December and end of January to May. Reservations for fine dining a must - no walk-ins!
LUCY'S GRILL AND BAR
32 Aulike Street
Kailua, HI 96734
(Windard Oahu)
Tel. (808) 230-8188
One of Kailua's most popular restaurants. Terrific eclectic Hawaiian Regional Cuisine with lots of choices and giant-sized portions - awesome desserts. (D $$)
PINEAPPLE ROOM
Macy's at Ala Moana Shopping Center
1450 Ala Moana Boulevard
Honolulu, HI 96814
(Honolulu / Ala Moana Area)
Tel. (808) 945-8881
Owned by Alan Wong, one of the originators of Hawaii Regional cuisine. (BLD $$$)
PRINCE COURT
Hawaii Prince Hotel
100 Holomoana
Honolulu, HI 96815
(Honolulu / Waikiki Area)
Tel. (808) 944-4494
Top rated Hawaii Regional seafood cuisine. (BLD $$$)
SAM CHOY'S BREAKFAST, LUNCH & CRAB
580 North Nimitz Highway
Honolulu, HI 96817
(Honolulu / Kalihi Area)
Tel. (808) 545-7979
The Choy of Cooking! Seafood in a warehouse-like atmosphere at Honolulu Harbor by one of the originators of Hawaiian Regional Cuisine. Best bet - the fresh island fish dinner and their beers brewed on site. (BLD $$$)
SAM CHOY'S DIAMOND HEAD RESTAURANT
449 Kapahulu Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96815
(Honolulu / Kapahulu Area)
Tel. (808) 732-8645
Huge portions - one of the twelve chefs who originated Hawaii Regional cuisine. (D $$$)
21 DEGREES NORTH
Turtle Bay Resort
Kahuku, HI 96712
(North Shore Oahu)
Tel. (808) 293-8811
Contemporary Island cuisine with a French accent in a beautiful setting. Spectacular homemade ice creams. (BLD $$$)
THE WILLOWS
901 Hausten Street
Honolulu, HI 96826
(Honolulu / Moiliili Area)
Tel. (808) 952-9200
Fabulous buffets and Sunday brunch featuring popular island cuisine. Luxurious gardens and courtyard. (LD $$)
