WAIKAPU ON 30
Lomi salmon? Check. Mac salad? Check. Two scoop rice? Check. Huge lau lau? Double check. I’ve been eating lau lau since my grandparents took me to Kula Feast when I was a toddler and I’ve never seen any that even come close to being as big as the ones Waikapu on 30 serves. Tasty, too. 1486 Honoapi‘ilani Hwy, Waikapu, 242-1130. Open M-F 6:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Sa 8 a.m.-4 p.m. $
PUKALANI SUPERETTE
Okay, so technically you have to build your own Hawaiian plate, but I promise that it’s easy and really good. Most of the time the Superette gives you a choice of beef or pork lau lau (both yummy). They have all the good stuff that goes with it too –potato mac salad, lomi salmon, poke, Hanalei poi. Upcountry knows this, but for all you townies, go early before all the workers on lunch break clear the place out. 15 Makawao Ave., 572-7616. Open M-Sa 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Su 7 a.m.-8 p.m. $
DA KITCHEN
This place is famous for large servings and great food. Their Hawaiian plate comes loaded with pork lau lau, kalua pig, chicken long rice and lomi salmon. Not to mention there’s the option of adding poi, which is really important to me because a Hawaiian plate without it is like a taco with no salsa. 425 Koloa St., Kahului, 871-7782; Open M-F 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Sa 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 2439 S. Kihei Rd. 875-7782; Open daily 9 a.m.-9 p.m., $
VALLEY ISLE SEAFOOD
Here’s good, authentic Hawaiian food that’s different from any other Hawaiian plates out there. The poke is to die for. The kalua pork isn’t super greasy, salty or covered in broth. What you get is delicious shredded meat that actually tastes like it could have possibly been made in an imu instead of a crock-pot. Amen. 475 Hukilike St., Kahului, 873-4847. $
HANA HOU
If you want it all–poi, rice, mac salad, haupia, lau lau, kalua pig and cabbage, chicken long rice, squid luau (one of my favorites as a kid) and lomi salmon–your best bet is to head out to Hana Hou Café in Haiku. They also offer smaller plates for those of you that can’t eat as much as an extremely hungry Hawaiian. 810 Haiku Rd., 575-2661. $ MTW
