A Taste of Hawaii: Unforgettable Culinary Adventures

With its abundance of fresh vegetables and fruits, plentiful inland cattle farms, and ocean waters overflowing with sushi-grade fish, the cuisine in Hawaiʻi offers a bountiful assortment of traditions and flavors. Here, global influences brought to the islands over generations mix with ancient customs, giving the local food culture richness and depth. From high-end restaurants to traditional feasts fit for he aliʻi, visitors can discover delectable culinary treats on every island.

Restaurants by Island

Kauaʻi

As with all the islands, the cuisine on Kauaʻi’ is characterized by vivid colors, globally inspired flavors, and fresh ingredients. Whether it’s a piece of fruit from a roadside stand run by a local farmer, a plate lunch, or five-star dining, on the island of Kauaʻi, fresh is always in season.

A centuries-old cooking movement that centers around ingredients grown on the island, tourists can sample Hawaiʻi’s regional cuisine at restaurants such as Roy’s Poʻipū Bar & Grill, and Merriman’s Fish House, where you can feast on mahi mahi, wahoo, and other types of seafood straight from the Pacific Ocean. If you find yourself passing through Kōloa, Red Salt is another highly recommended, upscale dining choice.

Oʻahu

Home to the metropolitan center of Hawaiʻi, Oʻahu and its vibrant foodie culture provide a perfect setting to try delicious and creative dishes that represent multiple cultures. Those looking to spend some money can try an extravagant dinner at one of Honolulu’s high-end restaurants where you will find mouthwatering contemporary interpretations of Asian and local cuisines from chefs who honor the tradition of using local ingredients in an innovative way at Honolulu restaurants such as Mud Hen Water, Lucky Belly and The Pig and the Lady.

Visitors who are not interested in breaking the bank can find equally tasty fare while eating like a local on the North Shore which offers a focus on fresh seafood in a uniquely relaxed setting. In heʻenalu-friendly towns like Haleʻiwa, fish tacos are a staple. Food trucks featuring endless varieties of shrimp are popular, as is the frozen treat known as shave ice.

Lānaʻi

Full of five-star hotels and sophisticated clientele, dining on the island of Lānaʻi is a world-class experience. From exclusive restaurants that can make even the most mundane meal a special occasion, to the mom-and-pop cafes in Lānaʻi City, this small island is equipped to handle a range of dining choices. To eat like a local, tourists can dine at some Lānaʻi City favorites including Richard’s Market and Lānaʻi City Service Station. Anyone looking for wine and live music should head to the Lānaʻi City Bar & Grill at the renowned Hotel Lānaʻi.

Maui

On the island of Maui, you can indulge in the exotic flavors of Hawaiʻi regional cuisine in everything from hamburgers to haupia. The food is crafted from produce picked fresh from Kula Country Farms and fish directly from the nearby ocean. Here, you can experience a traditional Hawaiian lūʻau at sunset or enjoy some less touristy local favorites in smaller towns like Pāʻia and Wailuku.

Hawaiʻi

With its innovative combination of homegrown ingredients and inventive chefs, Hawaiʻi is quickly becoming a desired destination for self-proclaimed foodies. Locally-grown, fresh produce can be found everywhere, whether you plan to splurge on a lavish seaside dinner at a resort on Kohala, feast on poi and kālua pig at a lūʻau, or simply grab a quick bite of grilled shrimp and spicy coleslaw from a nearby food truck.

No matter where you go on the island, you will find inventive eateries taking advantage of Hawaiʻi’s robust veggies grown in heady, volcanic soil, fresh seafood, and cattle ranches. From a variety of Asian cuisines to refined New American fare and traditional Hawaiian cuisine, your choices are as varied as the scenery. A cup of freshly brewed coffee made from locally grown beans is the perfect end to any meal. The beans are so flavorful that you may want to participate in a tasting tour of one of the coffee farms in Kaʻū or Kona.

Molokaʻi

Although smaller and somewhat less developed than many of the other islands, Molokaʻi is an excellent spot to enjoy fresh, local favorites and sociable beachside dining as opposed to fancy restaurants. The cultural diversity of Hawaiʻi is well-represented with Filipino and Japanese food options right alongside burger joints, pizzerias, and quaint coffee shops. If you only do one thing in Molokaʻi, make sure it’s to stop by Kanemitsu’s Bakery and Coffee Shop, an 80-year-old island fixture known for delicious doughnuts and a can’t-miss late-night nosh of hot, fresh bread right from the oven that is served out of the back door.

Local Favorites

• Shave Ice: No matter which island you visit, a shave ice is a great way to cool down. These snow cone-like treats are made from finely shaved ice and served on your choice of adzuki beans or ice cream and topped with colorful flavors.
• Pūpū: Pūpū means appetizer. Almost every restaurant in Hawaiʻi carries a wide variety of pūpū platters to enjoy, from sushi to poke dishes.
• Malasadas: If you have a sweet tooth, be sure to treat yourself to a hot malasada, a type of Portuguese doughnut. On O’ahu, Leonard’s Bakery in Kapahulu is a popular choice for these tasty treats. You can ask any local on any island and they will tell you where to find them.
• Loco Moco: If you have a large appetite, you have to try a loco moco. It consists of egg and hamburger steak served on a bed of rice, and smothered in gravy. This popular dish is served across the islands, but Cafe 100 in Hilo serves over 30 different varieties and is credited with giving the dish its name.
• Plate Lunch: Comprising a serving of macaroni salad, two portions of rice, and anything from Korean barbeque, kālua pork, mahi mahi, beef teriyaki, or chicken katsu, the plate lunch is a fixture of local cuisine.

 

Hawaiʻi Farmers Markets

In Hawaiʻi, it is impossible to journey very far without passing a fruit stand or a farmer’s market. With wares that extend well beyond fresh vegetables, flowers, and fruits, visitors will also find baked goods, locally-made jams, macadamia nuts, locally-grown coffee, and even pop-up eateries from fashionable restaurants such as The Pig and the Lady in Honolulu.

Maui is well-known for its roadside snack stands and farmer’s markets, where you can purchase anything from avocados the size of grapefruits and ripe, juicy papayas to huli huli chicken. Upcountry Farmers Market sells butter, lilikoʻi, husked coconuts, and more, while an array of fresh-squeezed fruit juices make Hāna Farms a favored stopover for anyone traveling on the Hāna Highway.

Referred to as Sunshine Markets, there is an abundance of farmers markets on Kauaʻi. On Oʻahu, farmer’s markets can be found from the Windward Coast to Waikīkī. KCC Farmers Market in Honolulu is one of the largest in the state.

Thanks to the rich volcanic soil on the island of Hawaiʻi, succulent produce is plentiful from the Aliʻi Garden Marketplace in Kona to the hectic Hilo Farmers Market. The islands of Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi both hold their own markets on Saturday mornings.

The next time you vacation in Hawaiʻi, do not hesitate to pull over for a farmer’s market or roadside stand. You never know what you may find.

Lūʻaus

One of the most authentic experiences you can enjoy on a trip to the islands is a lūʻau; a feast focused on dynamic cultural performances and festive music from Polynesia.

History of the Lūʻau

Hawaiʻi’s first feast that may have resembled a modern lūʻau most likely took place in 1819. Prior to that, the kapu system of resource management, religion, and restrictions called for the separation of women and men during meals, even during times of celebration. These feasts were called pāʻina or ʻahaʻaina. Over time, however, the word lūʻau, which referenced the taro leaves at the heart of many favorite dishes, stuck.

Over 200 years later lūʻaus are still being held. It is important to keep in mind that although its name and its roots originated in Hawaiʻi, not all of the entertainment and food seen at a modern lūʻau is authentic. Contemporary lūʻaus reflect today’s multicultural society by incorporating elements from outside the Polynesian culture.

Popular Lūʻau Dishes

• Poi: Pounded roots of the taro plant; a starch that can be eaten with anything.
• Kālua Pig: Pork that is prepared in an underground oven known as an imu and then shredded.
• Laulau: Meat wrapped in lūʻau leaves (taro leaves) and steamed, traditionally made in an imu.
• Haupia: A cross between coconut jelly and pudding, this dessert is made from coconut milk, water, cornstarch, and sugar.
• Poke: A word that means to slice or to cut crosswise into pieces, this new global phenomenon is traditionally made with raw fish, green onions, seaweed (limu), candlenut ( kukui nut), and soy sauce (shoyu).

From international influences and fusion creations to traditional delicacies, tourists can learn about the culinary history of Hawaiʻi while savoring the cuisine of a five-star restaurant or enjoying the creations of a gifted local chef behind the counter of a food truck.

As the premier law firm for personal injury in Hawaii, we are located in Honolulu and we love being a part of the island community. We hope you never need our services, but if you or a loved one were seriously injured while vacationing in Hawaiʻi, it is in your best interests to speak with an experienced Hawaii personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Contact the law firm of Leavitt, Yamane & Soldner at (808) 537-2525 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation.