Waiahole Poi Factory is a specialty shop where you can enjoy various traditional Hawaiian dishes.
When thinking of famous Hawaiian food, many people might imagine Loco Moco or Poke, but it is not well known that there is a style of food completely different from those!
Traditional dishes handed down from ancient times are characterized by using a lot of taro and coconut, resulting in a very deep flavor.
Waiahole Poi Factory is one of the few shops providing such traditional Hawaiian cuisine with old-fashioned methods, and it is highly rated by both locals and tourists.
Many people find their image of Hawaiian food changes greatly after eating real Hawaiian cuisine, and they become hooked on it.
Menu Explanation at Waiahole Poi Factory
Hawaiian words like Laulau and Luau are lined up on the menu at Waiahole Poi Factory.
Since it is difficult to imagine what kind of food it is from these names, I would like to explain the details.
Poi
Steamed taro made into a paste and fermented.
As time passes, fermentation progresses and acidity becomes stronger, so many people dislike the unique flavor.
The poi at Waiahole Poi Factory is freshly made, so it has little acidity and is reputed to be easy to eat!
Laulau
Pork wrapped in taro leaves and steamed.
The outermost leaf is a banana leaf or ti leaf, acting like plastic wrap, so please be careful not to eat it.
When you peel off the leaf, pork wrapped in taro leaves appears from inside.
The taro leaf is a vegetable like soft spinach, so please eat it together with the meat.
Kalua Pig
Pork wrapped in ti leaves and heated slowly over low heat until tender.
The meat heated for a long time is crumbly and falls apart just by touching it.
It looks dry, but actually, simple seasoning and the juicy umami of the meat itself are trapped inside.
Beef Luau
A stew of beef and taro leaves simmered in coconut milk.
Although it is called a stew, the taro leaves have become gooey so there is not much liquid, and it feels more like a braised dish.
The gooey taro leaves have a flavor like spinach.
The scent of finely cut beef and the subtle sweetness of coconut milk combine to create an addictive taste!
Squid Luau
A stew of squid and taro leaves simmered in coconut milk.
The difference from Beef Luau is that the ingredient is diced squid instead of beef.
The broth of the squid matches the sweetness of the coconut milk, creating a flavor different from Beef Luau.
Chicken Long Rice
Hawaiian chicken soup containing glass noodles.
Although it is called soup, there is almost no liquid left.
Chicken, ginger, garlic, and plenty of glass noodles are simmered in chicken broth.
The soft glass noodles absorb plenty of chicken broth, and it has a light and gentle taste!
Lomi Lomi Salmon
Salted salmon marinated with tomatoes and onions.
It is refreshing and is a side dish positioned somewhere between a salad and pickles.
Since the salty taste is strong, I think it is just right to eat it with poi or rice.
Hoio Salad
Hoio is a type of fern endemic to Hawaii.
It resembles bracken, but it is a vegetable that can be eaten raw because it has no harshness.
It is crisp without bitterness, so I think you will find it easy to eat.
Desserts at Waiahole Poi Factory
Desserts arranged from traditional sweets are also popular at Waiahole Poi Factory!
Actually, there are many people who come just to eat dessert.
Haupia Ice Cream
Ice cream using plenty of coconut milk.
It is the most popular among the original ice creams at Waiahole Poi Factory!
It is very rich, and the milky sweetness is delicious enough to make you want to eat it again and again.
However, it melts very easily, so you have to eat it quickly.
Kulolo
Grated taro combined with coconut milk and brown sugar and steamed.
It has a chewy and sticky texture, similar to mochi or a dense pudding.
The Sweet Lady of Waiahole, which tops this warm Kulolo with Haupia Ice Cream, is a very popular famous menu item ordered by almost all customers!
The combination of warm Kulolo and cold Haupia ice cream is undeniably delicious.
Poe
Mashed banana combined with coconut milk, brown sugar, and cornstarch and steamed.
It is an image like the banana version of Kulolo, and it is originally a sweet from Tahiti!
The original dessert with Haupia Ice Cream on top of warm Poe is the Tahitian Sweet Lady.
I think it is an irresistible dessert for tropical sweet lovers.
Waiahole Poi Factory is Takeout Only
Waiahole Poi Factory operates as takeout only.
When you want to eat immediately after buying, you can eat at a bench nearby.
However, since it is a shop where lines form at lunchtime, the benches are always a battle.
Waiahole Beach Park is also right nearby, so moving there to eat slowly is also recommended.
Basic Information of Waiahole Poi Factory
| Name | Waiahole Poi Factory |
| Address | 48-140 Kamehameha Hwy, Kaneohe, HI 96744 |
| Map | |
| Hours | 11:00〜17:00 |
| Holidays | (Closed all day) New Year’s Day, Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas (Shortened hours) New Year’s Eve, Day before Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve |
| Restroom | Available |
| Parking | Available (Free) |
Recommended Transportation to Waiahole Poi Factory
The Bus – The Cheapest Public Transportation Covering All of Hawaii
Taxi & UBER – Charter Vehicles Ideal for Small Groups in Hawaii
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Surrounding Area of Waiahole Poi Factory
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