Field Guide: School Street

You’ll find more eateries than schools on this long street.

Place

Founded by interior designer Mary Philpotts McGrath, Place carries contemporary and vintage koa-wood bowls and dishes, quilts, paintings, glassware, chairs, lamps and jewelry. Check back often; Place rotates exhibits and product lines frequently. 40 S. School St., Suite 100, 275-3075.

Photo: David Croxford

Ito Florist

Ito Florist is a one-stop shop for floral needs. “We have cut flowers, we do deliveries, weddings, funerals, a little of everything,” says owner Kathleen Yoshinaga. The florist shop, which has been in business since 1934, moved to its current location two years ago and carries a variety of local tropical flowers, as well as those from the Mainland. 40 S. School St., Suite 120, 533-2348. 
 
  
 

Photo: David Croxford

Huckleberry Farms

For more than 25 years, Huckleberry Farms has been providing customers with all-natural and organic foods. The grocery store carries non-dairy milk and yogurt options; bulk nut; local fruits and veggies; and even has DIY peanut buttre and honey machines. “We’re also the only health food store that I know of that carries free-range meat,” says store manager Jared Mori. The store is open seven days a week; head a few stores down to Huckleberry Farms Health and Beauty Supply for makeup and supplements. 1613 Nuuanu Ave., 524-7960.

Did You Know? This midtown street was originally named School Lane in 1850, leading to the Royal School (now the Royal Elementary School on Queen Emma Street). Today there are two schools—Kapalama Elementary School and St. Theresa Catholic School—on the street.

Helena’s Hawaiian Food

For authentic Hawaiian comfort food, Helena’s Hawaiian Food is the place to eat. “We don’t have mac salad,” warns Elaine Katsuyoshi, daughter of the late Helena. “That’s a local food, not a Hawaiian food.” Helena opened the  eatery in 1946 and went on to win a James Beard Foundation Award in 2000 and many local food awards. Today, Elaine’s son is the chef and owner. The pipikaula short ribs, poke with ‘opihi and fried butterfish collar are favorites of Helena’s long-time customers and tourists alike. 1240 N. School St., 845-8044.

Mitsuken

At Mitsuken, the food is good and the prices are low. The most popular item is the garlic chicken plate lunch ($6) with two scoops white rice and mac salad. If you’re not that hungry, you can order a mini-bento. Be sure to get there early—Mitsuken is open from 4:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.—there’s usually a line out the door and items sell out quickly. 1223 N. School St., 848-5573. 

Mexico Restaurant

Rene Zepeda, manager of Mexico Restaurant, says authentic dishes make this restaurant stand out. “We put a lot more care into the food and try to be as traditional as we can,” he says. Zepeda says the owner of Mexico Restaurant—and Mexico Lindo in Kailua—is from Mexico and uses recipes passed down from his mother. He recommends trying the Mexico burrito or one of the taco plates. The restaurant also has a wide variety of tequila. 1247 N. School St., 845-9059.