August Recipes 
You’ve probably heard countless cliches about Hawaii: that it’s a tropical paradise, that it’s breathtakingly beautiful, that the people are super friendly, that you’ll never want to leave, etc, etc. It turns out, these are all true! What should be a well-known truth about Hawaii is that the food is absolutely amazing. Seriously, I found a few frontrunners for my all-time favorite meal on these beautiful islands. Here were some of my favorite Hawaiian eats.
Poi
I couldn’t go to Hawaii without trying its most famous dish. Luckily, the staple of mashed taro root known as poi happens to be a vegan dish! It’s definitely one of those “love it or hate it” type dishes, and you can put me on Team “Love It!” As I found out, if poi is eaten quickly after it’s made, it has a sweet flavor, while if it is left to sit out and ferment, it takes on a more sour flavor. I prefer the sweet, but appreciate the sour too (you gotta have both in life!). In Honolulu, I got my fix at Waiahole Poi Factory. More of a fun roadside eatery than an actual factory, they do churn out hand-pounded poi in impressive quantities. And the quality is pretty awesome as well.
Shaved Ice
As many of you know, portions of Maui were devastated by last summer’s wildfires. I visited Maui on my Hawaiian trip, and while the island faces a long recovery, it hasn’t lost its spirit of Aloha. One of my favorite spots in Maui was Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice. Do I even have to tell you what they serve here? Shaved ice was one of my favorite summer treats growing up, but the Illinois variety simply doesn’t compare to Ululani’s offerings. Perhaps that’s because they make all their syrups in-house, in all kinds of fun flavors. My favorite was the classic coconut, but if one flavor isn’t enough, you can always mix and match here. Ululani’s has several locations on the island and even some on the mainland. I’m hoping they’ll open one in New York!
Helena’s Hawaiian Food
Back to Oahu and the state capital of Honolulu for this one. Remember earlier this summer I wrote a few articles about the James Beard Awards? This beloved spot earned an “America’s Classics” award back in 2000. It was classic then and it’s even more classic now. Helena’s Hawaiian Food has been serving traditional Hawaiian stick-to-your-ribs food since it opened back in 1946. It’s still a family business (Helena’s grandson now runs it) beloved by locals and tourists alike. Many come for dishes like roast pig and short ribs, but I swear by their haupia: a Hawaiian coconut pudding. If you can’t make it all the way out here, you can check out my recipe, but I have to warn you, it’s no match for Helena’s!
Eating (and Drinking) Big on the Big Island
Hawaii is comprised of eight islands, but only one shares its name with the state itself. The island of Hawaii – aka “The Big Island” – is arguably the state’s best spot for exploring mountains, volcanoes, and inland jungle. It also happens to be a great spot for foodie explorers like yours truly. One of my favorite Big Island spots was Lava Lava Beach Club, because there is nothing like sipping a mai tai while the waves lap your feet (talk about dinner with a view!). When you picture beachside dining complete with a raging bonfire, chances are, you’re picturing this spot, which also has a location on the island of Kaua’i.
When Big Islanders want the diced, marinated raw fish dish known as poke, they usually go to Da Poke Shack, on the island’s western shore. Fish doesn’t get much fresher than this, or much tastier, I’m told. You would do well to wash that poke down with a cold beer from Kona Brewing Co., which is headquartered on the island. A trip to the Kona taproom, or better yet – a tour of the brewery – is certainly recommended for my fellow beer geeks.
Hawaiian Plate Lunch
Hawaiian food is not all poke and pig roasts here in Hawaii: sometimes you just want a quick, cheap, filling lunch. Enter the “plate lunch.” The classic meal of meat, rice, and sides (macaroni salad is usually involved) is kind of like an island version of the Southern “Meat and Three.” L&L Hawaiian Barbecue is famous for its plate lunches and has dozens of franchises around the state. But if you’re in Honolulu, check out Umeke Market, which has a plant-based plate lunch! I honestly didn’t expect to find a vegan plate lunch and thought I would have to miss out on this Hawaiian classic, but I’m so glad I got to try it.
Aloha Till Next Time
One of the things I loved about eating in Hawaii was how fresh and flavorful everything was. Some magical combination of the climate, the delicious tropical fruits and produce, the beautiful scenery, and the warm, welcoming service I received everywhere I went made these some of my most memorable meals. And it was truly a memorable vacation. And hey, look who’s now been to 49 states! Alaska, you’re next!
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