#waiahole

Next Level Desserts 🍨 . First time trying Hy’s Steakhouse but thrilled to have tried their Hawaiian location . The steaks here are grilled over traditional Hawaiian kiawe wood and feature all USDA Prime Cuts . The local Hawaiian flavor is combined with old school ambiance that is best showcased in the table side flambé desserts…they were literally fire 🔥 . 📷 Tableside Bananas Foster $20 / Dry Aged Bone-in Ribeye $120 / Alae Salt Roasted Prime Rib $62 ~ 10 Oz / Escargot a la Hy’s $24 ~ Signature Escargot Butter, Toast / French Onion Soup $16 ~ Caramelized Onion, Gruyère, Parmesan / Complimentary Cheese Bread . 📍Hy’s Steakhouse (Waikiki, HI) . #instafood #foodstagram #yelphawaii #waiahole #oahu #steak #meat #primerib #dessert #flambe #oahueats #eatersf #topcitybites #sffoodie #foodie #nomnom #feedfeed #eeeeeats #foodpics #eeeeeats #foodgasm #dailyfoodfeed #foodphotography (at Hy's Hawaii) https://www.instagram.com/p/CYnaICurNuI/?utm_medium=tumblr

Japanese Eats 🇯🇵 . Given it’s close proximity to Japan and its popularity as a vacation destination, Hawaii is home to some of the best Japanese eats in the States . Although the izakaya and sushi spots can be difficult to book, Ginza Barain, a Japanese chain specializing in fried pork cutlet, was my hardest reservation to secure . With zero walk-ins allowed and a very small dining Tonkatsu Room, Ginza Barain told me they were booked out 3 months when I tried to change my time . The day of the reservation Oahu had torrential rains and no one wanted to go because everyone was full from a late brunch . Luckily, I went anyway and from scoring the specialty tonkatsu (limited to 10 orders per day) to being told the miso soup, cabbage and white were unlimited, I was in my happy place . 📷 Specialty Kurobata Pork Loin Cutlet Katsu $43 / Cabbage / Miso Soup / Rice / Asahi Draft Beer $1.50 . 📍Ginza Barain Tonkatsu and Yoshuku Bistro (Waikiki, HI) . #instafood #foodstagram #yelphawaii #waiahole #oahu #hawaiianfood #kaluapig #tonkatsu #rice #japaneseeats #oahueats #eatersf #topcitybites #sffoodie #foodie #nomnom #feedfeed #eeeeeats #foodpics #eeeeeats #foodgasm #dailyfoodfeed #food-photography (at Tonkatsu Ginza Bairin) https://www.instagram.com/aspiringmaven/p/CYemVFCpFGD/?utm_medium=tumblr

Hawaiian Food 🌺 . For many tourists, the only introduction to Hawaiian food is the all-you-can eat buffet line at the beach luau shows . A trip to Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden gave us a chance to try authentic Hawaiian cuisine as popular with the locals as with the tourists at Waiahole Poi Factory . It’s takeout only but the line of customers waiting to order and those eating happily in their parked cars made me confident in our decision to visit the out of the way spot . The kalua pork, lau lau, and lomi salmon are all familiar but the multiple poi types (hand pound, milled, Pai’a) as well as squid luau (like a curry with cooked squid) and kulolo (baked taro) topped with haupia (coconut) ice cream are all novel . While I wouldn’t call myself a poi fan, but the poi is easily the best quality I’ve tasted and the entire Hawaiian plate is probably the best Hawaiian food I’ve had too . 📷 LauLau and Kalua Pig Combo Plate with Lomi Salmon, Haupia, and Poi $14 / Mini Squid Luau $8.75 / Sweet Lady of Waiahole $5.25 ~ Kulolo topped with haupia ice cream . 📍Waiahole Poi Factory (Waiahole, HI) . #instafood #foodstagram #yelphawaii #waiahole #oahu #hawaiianfood #kaluapig #poi #rice #hawaiieats #oahueats #eatersf #topcitybites #sffoodie #foodie #nomnom #feedfeed #eeeeeats #foodpics #eeeeeats #foodgasm #dailyfoodfeed #food-photography (at Waiahole Poi Factory) https://www.instagram.com/p/CYck3-pvG38/?utm_medium=tumblr

I had to stop at Waiahole Poi Factory (no, I'm not sponsored) to try a dish very closely related to the cultural heritage of Hawai'i... poi! It is made from cooked and crushed taro, a tuber plant (similar to a potato) so tightly connected to the Hawaiian cultural stories and religion that the plant itself is believed to be a direct ancestor to native Hawaiians... they have such a fascinating creation story! At this family-owned business, making poi is a purely homemade, hand-crushed labor of love. They stay very busy, but were very kind to take the time to help me pick out some plant-based options amongst their large assortment of authentic Hawaiian cuisine. I had already eaten prior, but as a veggie-based snack, I tried the Ho'io salad (image 2, left) and the hand-crushed poi (right). I hold the opinion that poi is an acquired taste, but an authentic cultural delicacy that is 100% worth a try when you are visiting Hawai'i! I know I would have regretted it if I hadn't tried it, so I implore you to taste the traditional flavors of Hawai'i and try some of the freshest poi on the island of O'ahu at the Waiahole Poi Factory! #waiahole #waiaholepoifactory #waiāhole #poi #taro #tarô #hawaiianhistory #hawaii #hawaiitravel #hawaiivacation #hawaiistagram #hawaiian #taroplant #hawaiianpoi #homemadepoi #freshpoi #hoiosalad #travelvlogger #travelblogger #travelphotography #travelfood #authentichawaiianfood #familyownedrestaurant #hawaiianrestaurant #hawaiianfood #placestoeatinhawaii #vlogger #femalesolotraveler #followme #travelwithme (at Waiahole Poi Factory) https://www.instagram.com/p/CEkVdWJAKJJ/?igshid=plv5uz3wqv42

The Waiahole Valley looks like a Henri Rousseau painting. Very beautiful — and we enjoyed kulolo with coconut ice cream from the poi factory. #waiaholepoifactory #waiahole (at Waiahole, Hawaii) https://www.instagram.com/p/Btshemcnt_-/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ag2mta7n8b9f

To see more artwork by Gary Reed goto http://bit.ly/2Nga0Td

Kānehoalani #Waiahole #YIActionCam #YITechnology #InGoodCompany #Aloha

He lā maika'i... #Waiahole #Kaneohe #Waikane #Aloha (at Waiahole, Hawaii)