[91attendees] local Hawaiian food

[Rodney Van Meter <[e-mail]>]

Two of us went to Ono Hawaiian Food for lunch today, and it was *awesome*.  Recommended by the hotel staff when I asked for local food, and the recommendation was spot-on.  Online recommendation services (whom I don’t normally trust) also say it’s good, except for price/performance, but see below.

The lau lau (pork and greens steamed in a taro leaf) may be one of the best things you ever eat in your life, especially if you follow the staff’s recommendation and eat it with the chili sauce and poi.  The lau lau plate comes with a huge chunk of lau lau, poi or rice, a side of beef jerky, some onions, and a dessert.  We ordered a side of poki (ahi sashimi with seaweed and sesame oil), which was not the best poki I’ve ever had, and a side of rice for the non-poi fanatic.  That was about $35 including tax and tip, and would feed two fairly serious trencherpersons or three light to medium eaters, so while the $18 for the plate sounds steep, it’s fine when you share it.

Ono is on the edge of the Waikiki area, in a much more local neighborhood.  Formica countertops and booths, autographed photos of Chuck Norris, Miss Honolulu, and the Creature From the Black Lagoon on the wall.  (Er, maybe the last one wasn’t autographed.)

Taxi drivers all know the place.  It’s about a $13 ride from here, or about a two mile walk if you have the time and inclination.

			—Rod