Dishes That Define O‘ahu
From chichi dango to lau lau stew to char siu croissants, our food reflects our stories.
Mari Taketa
Articles
2026 Hale ‘Aina Awards: Chao Restaurant Group Wins Restaurateur of the Year
Behind the unconventional rise of Chao Restaurant Group, helmed by Chancelor Kim and Dong Dang.
2026 Hale ‘Aina Awards: Best New Restaurant Chao Hawai‘i Is Playfully Viet-Inspired
Chao’s roots are traditional, though its approach is a different story. Get the scoop on some of the restaurant’s popular dishes.
2026 Hale ‘Aina Awards: Da Seafood Cartel Is Recognized as the Seafood Specialist
Da Seafood Cartel, winner of Best Mexican and Best Seafood, brings vibrant coastal flavors to a converted gas station.
2026 Hale ‘Aina Awards: Anna Miller’s Is a ’70s-Era Time Stamp
Not much has changed in 53 years at Anna Miller’s—exactly why we love it and name it this year’s Old-School Restaurant We Love.
Goodbye to Ward Centre and Kilohana Square
We lament the generations-old buildings, the latest closures in an unending cycle.
Kama‘āina Deals: Restaurants and Eateries
40-plus places where it pays to show your Hawai‘i ID—just remember to ask before the check comes.
7 Notable Restaurants in Hawai‘i
These spots opened in a landscape altered by the pandemic—and remind us of the joy of dining out, whether it’s a jovial omakase counter or regional Peruvian food served from a truck.
Hawai‘i’s Historic Homes
They reveal our past and offer a richer understanding of who we are. We look at three neighborhoods full of these gems.
2025 Hale ‘Aina Awards’ Best Buffet Goes to Plumeria Beach House
Seafood and Hawaiian food are a winning combo at the Kāhala Hotel & Resort’s beachside buffet destination.
2025 Hale ‘Aina Awards: Restaurateur of the Year Peter Kim Built a Local Empire of Fast Food, Fine Dining and Coco Puffs
Kim’s motto: Expect the unexpected.
Restaurants We Love: Resonant Stories From the Best Restaurants in Honolulu
Restaurants with superlative food are one thing. Those with a place in our hearts are another. Our writers explore the restaurants they love.
“I Want Them to Dream,” Says President of Izakaya Naru, 2025 Hale ‘Aina Award Winner of Best Izakaya
With the tiny izakaya on King Street winning Hale ‘Aina gold, we talk to president Hiroyuki Akiyama about the eatery’s 15-year history.
We Tried It and You Can Too
22 fun and exciting things to do that we personally recommend.
8 Food Spots Outside Honolulu Worth the Drive
Eateries that townies should visit—for reasons they may not realize.
Breakfast Scenes Around O‘ahu
From old-school comforts in ‘Āina Haina to bulletproof coffee in Pūpūkea, our writers fanned out to different neighborhoods for this snapshot of five eclectic breakfast scenes.
Japan’s New Wave of Eateries in Honolulu
Driven by craft and quirk, they’re expanding the boundaries of Japanese food in Honolulu.
Best of HONOLULU 2026: Food and Drinks on O‘ahu
Brownies, bagels, burgers, banchan and more reader-voted winners and editor picks make up this year’s best food and drinks.
Best of HONOLULU 2026: Entertainment & Leisure on O‘ahu
The best new place to rent watersports gear, discover up-and-coming artists, hold a celebration and more of the best ways to have fun on O‘ahu.
In His Words: How Alan Wong Got His Second Chance
Five years after closing Alan Wong’s, the legendary chef reopened at The Kāhala Hotel. Here’s his story.
Not Just for Popo Anymore—Mahjong Is a Pastime for All Ages
Sign-ups for the Bad Luck Club’s mahjong get-togethers in Chinatown always fill up.
ReBran Uses a Locally Discarded Superfood to Make Granola Bran New
Nutrient-dense bran from rice polished in Kalihi stars in a new local granola.
Your 2026 Guide to O‘ahu Bon Dance Food: Part 1
A temple-by-temple guide to who’s cooking up teri beef sticks, fried noodles, cold noodles, chili bowls and of course, shave ice and andagi.
Kilohana Square Is Closing. What’s Next for Threadfin Bistro and Slice by HB Baking?
The short answer: One’s moving, the other is taking a break.
Eating Well in a Healthy Game Plan
It’s not about salads and veganism: Four wellness gurus tell us their best tips and personal approaches.
Where to Find Local Pet Treats in Hawai‘i
Pet owners are snapping up locally sourced venison sticks, fish candy and Furry Kake treats.
Kealoha Domingo Is Opening a Different Kind of Hawaiian Food Eatery Downtown
The Native Hawaiian chef is blending traditional and healthier Hawaiian dishes at a café coming to the Capitol Modern.
Korean Dishes You Probably Don’t Know (But Should)
How well do you know Korean food? These traditional dishes go well beyond the familiarity of mandoo and kim chee.
In Their Words: Cyrus and Guy Tamashiro on the End of Tamashiro Market
The view from the other side of the poke counter as the April 30 closing nears.
What Jason Peel Is Bringing to Diamond Head Market & Grill
The former chef-owner of Nami Kaze is rolling out ambitious projects at the longtime neighborhood eatery.
Foodflash: Sherbet Wiz Neale Asato Is Hawai‘i’s Sole Finalist in This Year’s James Beard Awards
Winners will be announced in June.
Downtown’s St. Patrick’s Day Block Party Is Back—in a New Spot
Come Tuesday, March 17, there’ll be plenty of corned beef and cabbage, Guinness and live Irish bands on Fort Street Mall.
How and Why Little Plum and Lady Elaine Lowered Many of Their Prices
“We don’t want to be too cool for school,” Dusty Grable says. “We want to be busy, and if that means lowering prices, we’ll do it.”
Nisshodo and Fujiya: The Stories Behind Honolulu’s Last Remaining Legacy Mochi Shops
Two modest shops anchor Honolulu’s mochi scene, one over 100 years old. This Girls’ Day, we’re retelling their stories.
Meet the Willy Wonka of Chill, Neale Asato
Neale Asato made his name on humble, nostalgic sherbet. Now, he’s a James Beard Award semifinalist.
Pohole, Hō‘io, Warabi: A Local Favorite Appears in Waikīkī
Fiddlehead ferns, aka pohole, hō‘i‘o, warabi and pako, are hard to find; now, visitors can get a taste of the locally loved delicacy at Basalt Waikīkī.
Two Must-Try Matcha Newcomers in Waikīkī
Maruwu Seicha and As You Like arrived last fall, pairing matcha lattes with soft serve and craft musubi.
Modern Filipino American Mama Guava Is One of the City’s Most Exciting Restaurants
There’s a catch: The popular lunchtime pop-up in Chinatown is slated to close after February.
