My Top 5: Best bakeries on the island

By Ed Morita
Nonstop

I’m going to be brutally honest. Honolulu has some crappy bakeries. Some of the items sold at grocery stores, discount superstores and even gourmet markets are appalling. People buy Costco croissants that have no flakiness. They pick up pies out of a supermarket freezer, and the last time I visited Whole Foods, I found a basket filled with dense, over-proofed baguettes.

Yet, despite the proliferation of mediocre bakeries, there are a few standouts that I regularly visit, usually for a specific pastry or dessert. I was asked to list my top five favorite bakeries on the island, but in the tradition of the baker’s dozen, I’m going to give you a bonus.