Hawaiian Food - Danger of Being Lost?

[ginabeena]

Aloha,

A realization woke me up in the middle of the night last night, and I wanted to see what you all think:

Having been to Maui several times for visiting, I noticed that local food was a bit more difficult to find. Krispy kreme---no problem. Homestyle food was more difficult at first.

Given how Maui has changed over the years with many transplants and the Oprah-factor, is local food becoming more obscure on that island? Am I just making this up because I do not know any better?

If this is at all accurate, I am left wondering if Hawaiian cuisine is in danger of being lost: that is to say, Grandma is no longer with us, mom is too busy working to pay sky-high mortgage/rent, and kids moved to mainland or are interested in taco bell instead....perhaps???? Because of these forces, is Hawaiian food and local restaurants in danger of being lost? Or am I just lolo wahine????

[I hope my WAG is wrong and that I am just full of crackpot ideas and don't know nothin'.]

[Da Rolling Eye]

Maybe just certain areas? I remember from way, way back that Lahaina was already lacking in local style places (plate lunch). Could be the same out Kihei side, now. Kahului and Wailuki still got plate lunch places.

Also eating habits are changing for the more healthy side. I, for one, can no longer go to Tsukenjo's for their meatloaf/roast pork mix plate. :D

[oggboy]

Yes you are correct, alot of Mom & Pop`s have closed down for good....
The latest being Kitada`s in Makawao. It`s the kine homestyle plate lunch and saimin that we no longer can find on Maui. Too much imitation style restaurants serving their version of plate lunch, but just not the same as what homestyle cooking is all about. I mean Roast pork with Pork gravy and Hamburger steak with home-style gravy or roast turkey with turkey gravy, not the package brown gravy drowning whatever you order.
I hope Ah-Fook`s will expand soon cause I miss the ready made foods they had. Lucky we still get good ole Takamiya Market for local kine grinds.:D
OGGBOY

[Miulang]

Aloha,

A realization woke me up in the middle of the night last night, and I wanted to see what you all think:

Having been to Maui several times for visiting, I noticed that local food was a bit more difficult to find. Krispy kreme---no problem. Homestyle food was more difficult at first.

Given how Maui has changed over the years with many transplants and the Oprah-factor, is local food becoming more obscure on that island? Am I just making this up because I do not know any better?

If this is at all accurate, I am left wondering if Hawaiian cuisine is in danger of being lost: that is to say, Grandma is no longer with us, mom is too busy working to pay sky-high mortgage/rent, and kids moved to mainland or are interested in taco bell instead....perhaps???? Because of these forces, is Hawaiian food and local restaurants in danger of being lost? Or am I just lolo wahine????


It still exists, but not in the resort areas (obviously). Da Kitchen (branches near the Kahului Airport and in Kihei) has awesome plate lunches. Sheik's in Kahului near Kaahumanu Ctr serves "local" food, as does Koho Grill in Kaahumanu Shopping Ctr. Nazo's in Wailuku has local food (their specialty is oxtail soup). Sam Sato has dried mein and saimin and awesome fruit filled turnovers. Tasty Crust in Wailuku has local diner food (famous for their dinner plate-sized pancakes). Fran's Island Grill always has lots of cars parked in its parking lot and I've heard good things about the food there (although I haven't been in there yet). Cupie's in Kahului sells plate lunches to go. Takamiya Market in Happy Valley has a good selection of local dishes, all packed and ready to go every morning.There's an Aloha Mixed Plate in the Maui Mall. Bentos & Banquets by Bernard in Wailuku has daily specials (Bernard calls in every day to KPOA and announces that day's specials).

Lahaina has lost most of its "local" eateries, that's true. There's a little deli in Honokawai (Honokawai Okazuya) that has good bento lunches to go. A&J Kitchen (in the same complex as Hard Rock but around the corner) has some Asian takeout that's good. Aloha Mixed Plate has the usual plate lunches.

Upcountry, the Pukalani Country Club has ono luau and local dishes (although the restaurant was torched by some kids a couple of years ago, they have since reopened in temporary space while a new restaurant is being built). Unfortunately, Kitada's in Makawao (saimin and other local food) just closed down for good last month.

And just about everywhere now is an L&L.:D

Miulang

[Random]

Excuse me, but are we talking Hawaiian ethnic food or local grindz?

[Pomai]

I knew you'd have "da scoops" on the ono Maui grindz. Mahalo Miulang for that extensive list! I'll have to ask my girlfriend (Maui girl) if she's been to any of those places. Last time I was in Kahului, I remember a popular place for local style plate lunches was, of all places, DAIRY QUEEN. Go figure. lol

So, really just how good is Tasty Crust in Wailuku? Sounds like just simple comfort food. I remember Sam Choy did a segment on them and raved about it. Sounds like one of those real "where da' locals grind" kind of places.

GinaBeena, if you ever visit Oahu and are looking for Hawaiian Food restaurants, take a look at this thread (http://www.hawaiithreads.com/showthread.php?t=13617).It still exists, but not in the resort areas (obviously). Da Kitchen (branches near the Kahului Airport and in Kihei) has awesome plate lunches. Sheik's in Kahului near Kaahumanu Ctr serves "local" food, as does Koho Grill in Kaahumanu Shopping Ctr. Nazo's in Wailuku has local food (their specialty is oxtail soup). Sam Sato has dried mein and saimin and awesome fruit filled turnovers. Tasty Crust in Wailuku has local diner food (famous for their dinner plate-sized pancakes). Fran's Island Grill always has lots of cars parked in its parking lot and I've heard good things about the food there (although I haven't been in there yet). Cupie's in Kahului sells plate lunches to go. Takamiya Market in Happy Valley has a good selection of local dishes, all packed and ready to go every morning.There's an Aloha Mixed Plate in the Maui Mall. Bentos & Banquets by Bernard in Wailuku has daily specials (Bernard calls in every day to KPOA and announces that day's specials).

Lahaina has lost most of its "local" eateries, that's true. There's a little deli in Honokawai (Honokawai Okazuya) that has good bento lunches to go. A&J Kitchen (in the same complex as Hard Rock but around the corner) has some Asian takeout that's good. Aloha Mixed Plate has the usual plate lunches.

Upcountry, the Pukalani Country Club has ono luau and local dishes (although the restaurant was torched by some kids a couple of years ago, they have since reopened in temporary space while a new restaurant is being built). Unfortunately, Kitada's in Makawao (saimin and other local food) just closed down for good last month.

And just about everywhere now is an L&L.:D

Miulang

[oggboy]

Tasty Crust pancakes some ono.....:)

[ginabeena]

Thank you all :)

Some very good information on kaukau on Maui. Maui serves as a good (BAD) example of the concern I have about Hawaiian food in danger of being lost----whether we are talking about ethnic or grindz (I think I understand the difference, but if Random could school me, I would be appreciative!).

Do you all think Hawaii in its totallity could go the same way as Maui? Is anyone working to preserve the history? D.R.E.----have you experienced any Hawaiian food that is updated a bit for healthy eaters? Not sure how you would make Spam Mitsubi better for da health, but I wonder if there is a way.....

I will be doing some work on Oahu, so thanks Pomai for the reference. That is very helpful to me.

Thank you everyone! Very kind of you!

---G.

[Pua'i Mana'o]

Hawaiian food was never common restaurant fare, although kalua pig is probably the mot easiest item to find. These are reserved for the big paʻina--first bday luau, graduation luau, weddings, and the small family gathering, such as New Years Eve etc. I don't believe the art of making a luau is endangered; if the grandparents have an ʻimu, the kids have grown up using/cleaning it, and the grandkiddies have their chores, too. It is a cherished family event.

[Miulang]

The only places that I know of on Maui that predictably serve some or all the major components of a luau daily are Da Kitchen and Pukalani Country Club, outside of the pricey and touristy luau shows at the resorts or 'Io Restaurant in Lahaina (where all the bee-utiful people inhabit). Other places might have lomi or laulau or kalua pig or chicken long rice or luau, but not as a complete meal. Like Pua'i says, Hawaiian food is usually reserved for very special events because it's time consuming to make.

Miulang

[achong]

when i was a boarding student at lahainaluna over 40 years ago. we had 2 luaus a year, put on and run by the boarders, with help from the advisers and school workers. one was called welcome, and the other farewell. to welcome the new boarders and the other to honor the departing seniors. this was a tradition and i wonder if they still have it. this was a luau with all the trimming, with the boarders providing the entertainment. it was a lot of fun, but it required a lot of work

[Ms_Aloha_Nui]

Wow, I am so thrilled to see this thread. I am taking my dad to Maui this weekend, but we'll stay on the west side.....are there any good restaurants with lobster and seafood???? Let me know. We leave Friday night so I'll be checking in....but thanks for the others as well.....

[oggboy]

when i was a boarding student at lahainaluna over 40 years ago. we had 2 luaus a year, put on and run by the boarders, with help from the advisers and school workers. one was called welcome, and the other farewell. to welcome the new boarders and the other to honor the departing seniors. this was a tradition and i wonder if they still have it. this was a luau with all the trimming, with the boarders providing the entertainment. it was a lot of fun, but it required a lot of work

Wow, that was awhile back. Lahainaluna holds only one luau, this is the David Malo Day celebration held annualy. I see your post from Arkansas, has it been that long you`ve been away from Maui.....
Oggboy:)

[Miulang]

Wow, I am so thrilled to see this thread. I am taking my dad to Maui this weekend, but we'll stay on the west side.....are there any good restaurants with lobster and seafood???? Let me know. We leave Friday night so I'll be checking in....but thanks for the others as well.....
A couple of touristy seafood restaurants right in Lahaina town on Front St. are Longhi's (http://www.longhi-maui.com/Page.bok?template=info) (the original) and Kimo's Restaurant (http://www.kimosmaui.com/). Kimo's is on the waterfront, while Longhi's is across the street from the ocean. Both are also very pricey and crowded because most tour books tout them as being great dining places. You can also try Roy's out in Kahana (expensive, in a strip mall).

Pacific'O (http://www.pacificomaui.com/) at the beginning part of Front St. also is oceanside, and used to have good seafood. They haven't won any awards recently, so I can't vouch for the food right now. But it's a little more off the beaten path so it won't be as crowded/noisy as Kimo's or Longhi's. Its sister restaurant, I'o, is right next door and is where the beautiful people congregate. They also have a special Polynesian program called "The Feast at Lele (http://www.feastatlele.com/)" which is a culinary/cultural voyage through the various Polynesian groups. Haven't been to that yet, but it looks like it would be fun and it would be a whole lot more interesting than the usual hotel luau.

Not food related, but definitely worth seeing if you're in Lahaina is "'Ulalena (http://www.mauitheatre.com/html/story.html)" which is a Cirque clone that tells the story of the Kumulipo and a warm Maui wind called 'Ulalena. It's a very beautiful production (I bought the soundtrack, because the music really is gorgeous), and you can usually get discount tickets at any of the activity kiosks in town.

Miulang

[achong]

lhs 59-63, boarder, yeah been away a long time , left 68 after college uh manoa, uncle sam wanted me. anyway sorry to hear that one of the old traditions being lost. in my day there were no wahines as boarders and there was one year hazing period that the 1st year boarders had to go thru, i can still hear the upper classmen calling for creeps to co chores for them, but this bonded the boys that went thru this together for life. we also raised most our food back then, had to work for our room and board. used our own pigs for the imu and every boy had to peel 30 coconuts for the haupia and the kololo, ahh this brings back such memories.

[oggboy]

lhs 59-63, boarder, yeah been away a long time , left 68 after college uh manoa, uncle sam wanted me. anyway sorry to hear that one of the old traditions being lost. in my day there were no wahines as boarders and there was one year hazing period that the 1st year boarders had to go thru, i can still hear the upper classmen calling for creeps to co chores for them, but this bonded the boys that went thru this together for life. we also raised most our food back then, had to work for our room and board. used our own pigs for the imu and every boy had to peel 30 coconuts for the haupia and the kololo, ahh this brings back such memories.

As far as I know, the tradition still lives on. Although the boarding program is now co-ed. My son was a boarder as well as neices and nephews and the program still requires that boarders work beginning at sunrise and ending at sunset....IMUA O LAHAINALUNA

[achong]

my brother was a boarder b4 me, as far as i know generations of familys have attended lhs thru the boarding dept. if i had had a kid i would want him to experience the boarding life. it makes you grow up, makes you independent and know what it means to work, all in all a very good experience. cannot say enough of the time i spent there.

[oggboy]

my brother was a boarder b4 me, as far as i know generations of familys have attended lhs thru the boarding dept. if i had had a kid i would want him to experience the boarding life. it makes you grow up, makes you independent and know what it means to work, all in all a very good experience. cannot say enough of the time i spent there.

You are so right about being independent, my wife and I notice the change in attitude and respect. Alot of credit to the LHS boarding dept. for the work with our young men and women.