Maria Kanai

Maria Kanai is a freelance writer and editor—and one of HONOLULU’s former SPJ interns—originally from Yokohama, Japan. She moved to Hawai‘i for college and graduated with a master’s in Communication from HPU. When she’s not working, she enjoys creative writing, baking bread and reading books.

Articles

These 3 Upscale Food Courts Are Worth the Trip to Waikīkī

Waikīkī gets a triple dose of elevated street fare.

53 Ways to Eat Around the World Without Leaving Hawai‘i

You don’t have to book a flight to explore international flavors. We tracked down 53 of the tastiest dishes in Hawai‘i that hail from cuisines all over the globe.

First Look: Tonkatsu Tamafuji

Diners line up on Kapahulu Avenue for Japan-based chain.

First Look: Gen Korean BBQ House

Be sure to arrive with an appetite.

First Look: Vintage Cave Café

Vintage Cave’s sister restaurant can be skipped.

First Look: Tori Ton

This new restaurant in Mō‘ili‘ili offers friendly service and affordable yakitori.

Field Notes: Dream of Being on Broadway? This Acting Class Can Help You Get There

Field Notes explores Honolulu’s vast and varied scenes and subcultures. This month: acting classes.

First Look: Sweet Marie’s Hawai‘i

Kalihi welcomes gluten-free baked goods and café from Kaua‘i.

First Look: Yakitori Hachibei

It doesn’t get any better than eating meat off a stick.

First Look: Taste of Times in Mililani

Taste of Times is changing the way you think about supermarket food.

5 Edible Pairings to Woo Your Date’s Heart (and Stomach) This Valentine’s Day 2017

Where to go and what to buy to really, really impress your date.

Matcha Lovers Rejoice! This Yummy Soft Serve Stand is a First-Class Trip to Kyoto

Matcha Café Maiko in Waikīkī makes extraordinary soft serve from premium Japanese green tea.

First Look: Boa Sushi Café

This Downtown sushi spot is a cut above.

Feast Your Eyes on Delectable Macarons and More Sweet Treats at this Kaka‘ako Bakery

Flour + Butter opened Nov. 1 at the Imperial Plaza.

7 Ways to Kick-Start Your New Year

See the first sunrise of 2017, eat osechi and other reasonable resolutions.

Frolic Hawai‘i

Breadshop Finds a New Home in Kaimukī

The best bread in town has finally arrived.

5 Great Places Where You Can See Pretty Christmas Tree Light Displays

The best places to see festive holiday lights.

Insider Tips: How to Make Your Christmas Tree Last Longer

Tips for the care and keeping of your new perennial pet.

12 Reasons to Get Out and Eat on Christmas Day

Why you should ditch those Christmas pajamas and hit the town for delicious food instead.

Field Notes: Eat, Shop and Talk Story at this Warehouse-Turned-Food Court

Field Notes explores Honolulu’s vast and varied scenes and subcultures. This month: Moanalua 99.

Grab a Super-Fresh Poke Bowl and Your Morning Coffee at Aloha Poke Shop

There’s a new place downtown that serves customizable, boat-to-bowl poke.

Here’s Your Best Guide to Commemorating Pearl Harbor’s 75th Anniversary

Everything you need to know about attending Pearl Harbor events.

5 Things You Need to Eat At Waikīkī Yokocho

It’s like Shirokiya’s cooler older sister.

Eat Taro Waffles in This Chic Boutique-Meets-Café

Tilia Aloha Café, a little-known Japanese café in Waikīkī, is worth checking out.

First Look: 9Bar HNL in Kaka‘ako

Try giant scone-and-muffin pastries called scuffins.

These Two Hawai‘i Colleges are Tailoring Fashion Design Students for Success

Fashion 101: A look into how UH Mānoa and Honolulu Community College nurture fashion programs.

Sweets

Get Fancy Omiyage at this Japanese Confectionery at Kāhala Mall

Minamoto Kitchoan opens its second location, selling expensive cookies, mochi and jelly.

Coffee, Coffee, Coffee!

Island Brew Coffeehouse opens new location to celebrate a “Gilmore Girls” revival.

This New Food Truck Serves Authentic Japanese Okonomiyaki With a Local Twist

Kyoto-based eatery opens food trucks in Waikīkī.

Mango Ice Cream with Shoyu, Anyone?

Dare to try these unusual ice cream flavors at 8 Half Desserts in Kaimukī.

Rise and Shine at Breadbox Hawai‘i

Family-run bakery in Mānoa gives us another reason to love carbs (not that we needed it).

First Look: Bakery & Table

In this new Italian-Japanese rooftop dining experience in town, the bakery does things right, but dinner needs work.

5 Favorite Pies to Celebrate National Pi Day

Our five favorite pies and why we love them.

First Look: Café Lani Hawai‘i

New Japanese café in Ala Moana offers giant parfaits and endless bread.

18 Reasons We Love Hawai‘i Fashion

From chic beachware and bold, nature-inspired prints to cool collabs and fresh spins on sartorial traditions, here are 18 reason we’re crazy about Hawai‘i fashion.

First Look: Sunny Days Café Opens Its First Location in Hawai‘i

This charming Japanese café has hits and misses.

First Look: Odori-ko Restaurant

Second-generation Japanese kids step it up for their parents.

What Families Can Expect From Disney’s New “Moana” Film Starring a Hawai‘i Girl

Photo: Hugh Gentry Disney introduced Auli‘i Cravalho for the first time onstage at Aulani Resort as the new voice for the title character in the upcoming Moana film. What’s the story? Set in ancient Polynesia, Moana is a coming-of-age musical…

Film & Television

What Do the “Hawai‘i Five-0” Stars and Other Film Crews Eat on Set?

Three local food businesses dish out the inside scoop on feeding hungry cast and crew members shooting in Hawai‘i. Learn some do’s and don’ts of film food etiquette.

5 Things You Should Know About Disney’s Moana Starring Auli‘i Cravalho and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson

They might just get it right this time.

Maria Kanai

Articles

Subscribe to Honolulu