If this is your first visit to the Islands, you should consider going to a luau. Most offer some type of dinner show along with a buffet dinner. This is where you’ll be able to try a variety of “authentic” dishes. Amongst them should be:
Lomi Lomi Salmon
Potato~Mac Salad
Kalua Pig
Lau-Lau
Kalbi Beef Short Ribs
Huli Huli Chicken
Chicken Long Rice

You’ll also find Poi but this is not something that I would recommend in large quantities for beginners. Take a little dab, either you’ll love it or you’ll **** it. Me, I stay away from it.

Two things you should know about Hawaiian food. First, many of the dishes are modified versions of dishes from other countries. There is a large influence from the Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Phillipino and Portugese cultures. The second is that the modern versions of Hawaiian foods may not be the healthiest for you. Take, for example, Loco Moco, a working mans breakfast. Two scoops rice covered by two fried hamburger patties (with onions and garlic mixed in), covered by two fried eggs, and the whole thing covered with gravy.

One of the best meals I ever had was on Hilo side at a restaurant south of Turtle Bay. I ordered the blue plate special. It came on a three-section plate that was not blue. Piled high on the plate were seven different food items. Don’t ask me what they were, I don’t remember but it was darned good. Price? About $7, ten years ago. How’d we find it? There were two restaurants at that T-intersection. The one we chose had two police cars parked in front of it….

Aloha!

Local food is where you will find a better selection of choices. Local food is any combination of hawaiian, chinese, japanese, american, etc., food. In Kona (where I am from), I suggest you check out Kona Mix Plate at Lanihau Center and Teshima’s Restaurant in Kealakekua (79-7251 Mamalahoa Highway). Both offer great local food at great prices. Just remember, these are local favorites so if you go at the peak of lunch time, there will be a line.

If you are driving around the island, there are some highlights like getting malasadas in Honoka’a, loco moco in Hilo, and sweet taro bread in Na’alehu. Of course, there are many excellent, gourmet style restaurants in Waikoloa and Waimea, but prepare for $$$.

Best thing you can do is to ask some locals where they like to eat when you get there. Just remember, aloha is all about respect. You give it, you’ll get it back. Enjoy Kona! Aloha.

You can find them…. ON LINE!

They serve the Best Food…..! Some even OFFER… a dinner Option!

Thanks, RR