Waiahole Poi Factory

Hawaiian restaurant · Waikane

Waiahole Poi Factory

Hawaiian restaurant · Waikane

5

48-140 Kamehameha Hwy, Kaneohe, HI 96744

Photos

Waiahole Poi Factory by null
Waiahole Poi Factory by Martha Cheng
Waiahole Poi Factory by null
Waiahole Poi Factory by null
Waiahole Poi Factory by null
Waiahole Poi Factory by null
Waiahole Poi Factory by null
Waiahole Poi Factory by null
Waiahole Poi Factory by null
Waiahole Poi Factory by null
Waiahole Poi Factory by null
Waiahole Poi Factory by null
Waiahole Poi Factory by null
Waiahole Poi Factory by null
Waiahole Poi Factory by null
Waiahole Poi Factory by null
Waiahole Poi Factory by null
Waiahole Poi Factory by null
Waiahole Poi Factory by null
Waiahole Poi Factory by null
Waiahole Poi Factory by null
Waiahole Poi Factory by null
Waiahole Poi Factory by null
Waiahole Poi Factory by null
Waiahole Poi Factory by null
Waiahole Poi Factory by null
Waiahole Poi Factory by null
Waiahole Poi Factory by null
Waiahole Poi Factory by null
Waiahole Poi Factory by null
Waiahole Poi Factory by null
Waiahole Poi Factory by null
Waiahole Poi Factory by null
Waiahole Poi Factory by null
Waiahole Poi Factory by null
Waiahole Poi Factory by null
Waiahole Poi Factory by null
Waiahole Poi Factory by null
Waiahole Poi Factory by null
Waiahole Poi Factory by null
Waiahole Poi Factory by null
Waiahole Poi Factory by null
Waiahole Poi Factory by null
Waiahole Poi Factory by null
Waiahole Poi Factory by null

Highlights

Waiahole Poi Factory serves up authentic Hawaiian comfort food and iconic desserts like warm kulolo with haupia ice cream in a laid-back setting.  

Featured in The Infatuation
Featured in Eater
Featured in Conde Nast Traveler

48-140 Kamehameha Hwy, Kaneohe, HI 96744 Get directions

fooddiscoveryapp.com
@waiaholepoifactory

$10–20 · Menu

Reserve

Information

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48-140 Kamehameha Hwy, Kaneohe, HI 96744 Get directions

+1 808 239 2222
fooddiscoveryapp.com
@waiaholepoifactory

$10–20 · Menu

Reserve

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outdoor seating

Last updated

Jul 31, 2025

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@eater

The 38 Essential Honolulu Restaurants

"This is one of the few Hawaiian restaurants owned by native Hawaiians (here’s a definition of what Hawaiian food actually is). Charlene and Calvin Hoe bought an actual poi factory in 1971, using it primarily as an art gallery, then began serving food in 2009. Today, it’s also one of the few places that serves fresh pa‘i‘ai, cooked taro pounded with a lava rock pestle on a long wooden board to a mochi-like consistency. You’ll have to call in advance to reserve some, and if you’re lucky, you might catch the Hoes’ son, Liko, pounding it near the outdoor tables. Try the kanaka nui plate, a combination of pretty much everything on the menu, add a side of ho‘io (fiddlehead fern) salad, and finish with the Sweet Lady of Waiahole, warm kulolo (a taro and coconut dessert) topped with a scoop of haupia (coconut) ice cream." - Martha Cheng

https://www.eater.com/maps/best-restaurants-honolulu-hawaii-38
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@travelleisure

20 Best Things to Do on Oahu, According to Locals

"Domingo describes poi as “a minimally processed taro dish made of pounded (or milled) steamed taro.” While it can be an acquired taste, he says, try not to waste it. “Traditional Hawaiians consider taro sacred, and in the cosmology of Hawaiian people, it is considered to be our ancestor. We treat taro and poi with great respect.” He says you can find it in local supermarkets and farmers markets — or dine at Waiahole Poi Factory, which both he and Alipio recommend." - Travel + Leisure Editors

https://www.travelandleisure.com/best-things-to-do-on-oahu-8422064
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@infatuation

Waiahole Poi Factory - Review - All - The Infatuation

"This former poi factory in Kane'ohe, Hawai’i is now a restaurant highlighting Hawaiian food traditions, with dishes like hand-pounded poi, kalua pig, and lomi salmon. The Sweet Lady of Waiahole dessert, made with warm kūlolo and haupia coconut ice cream, is also a menu staple. We haven’t been here yet, but want you to know this spot exists." - Team Infatuation

https://www.theinfatuation.com/all/reviews/waiahole-poi-factory
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@infatuation

19 Restaurants Where You Can Eat Indigenous Food In The U.S.

"This former poi factory in Kane'ohe, Hawai’i is now a restaurant highlighting Hawaiian food traditions, with dishes like hand-pounded poi, kalua pig, and lomi salmon. The Sweet Lady of Waiahole dessert, made with warm kūlolo and haupia coconut ice cream, is also a menu staple. " - anne cruz

https://www.theinfatuation.com/all/guides/indigenous-native-american-restaurants
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@cntraveler

50 States, 50 Cuisines: The Food Worth Traveling For in Every State

"Owner Liko Hoe prepares traditional pa‘i‘ai, a key component of native Hawaiian diet, using a stone mortar and wooden board. The dish is complemented with laulau and foraged hō‘i‘o."

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/50-states-50-cuisines
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Ray87 DS king

Google
Last day in Hawaii. So we wanted to stop by here. The food was pretty good. Got the Lao Lao plate. Was delicious my fiance didn't really get into it. But I enjoyed it.

Ricky Houseman

Google
5 Stars – Authentic Hawaiian Flavor and Heartfelt Hospitality at Waiāhole Poi Factory I had never tasted poi before, so we decided to stop by Waiāhole Poi Factory and give it a try—and I’m so glad we did! The poi was surprisingly good, with a smooth, creamy texture that paired perfectly with the rest of the meal. We ordered one plate to share among the family, which included chicken soup, poi, salad with salmon—and every bite was absolutely delicious. It felt like a true taste of Hawaii. The staff were amazing—so friendly, helpful, and clearly passionate about what they serve. The location itself is charming, with a beautiful view, a public bathroom, and a small gift shop with locally made items that’s worth checking out. If you’re exploring Oʻahu’s east side, Waiāhole Poi Factory is a must-stop. Whether you’re new to Hawaiian food or a returning fan, this spot delivers great flavors and genuine aloha.

Jason

Google
Their ice cream is quite remarkable; our children adore it. The abundance of tourists suggests it's a popular tourist destination. I haven't sampled their hot food, but I highly recommend trying their desserts.

Esperanza Vite

Google
Great pork, and ice cream. Local place to try some new things. All the food was great but if you are a texture person the Poi & Squid are pretty mushy feeling. Some bench seating and gift shop on the side.

Anna Oh

Google
Get the sweet lady dessert after you finish your meal. The pastry at the bottom is fresh and hot so it melts the ice cream. It's super good tho. The food is worth trying for the experience, but it wasn't my personal favorite. The chili water helps gussy up the pork!

Tina P.

Google
Staff were very friendly and helpful. This was our first time here and she explained what some of the items were, what she liked and the types of flavors we could expect. There’s a cute little gift shop and some outdoor seating. I enjoyed the food immensely. The squid lu’au and laulau were delicious and packed with flavor. We got the kanaka nui plate, ‘awa drink and ice cream. I thought the drink was okay, but my boyfriend enjoyed it. I liked that they packed our food in to-go plates because it was too much food to finish in one setting.

Suren Fernando

Google
This is the first time I am having this type of food. It a nice place to enjoy your food. There are parking next to the palace and a friendly staff. I would say food was ok and I never had this type of taste before. We had squid and chicken I forgot the name of the dish.

Sharon Sinia-Anae

Google
They were a recommendation from one of the guides at Kualoa Ranch and food was frickn amazing! My most favorite is the Sweet Lady of Waiahole which I Inhaled. Definitely a must have when on future travels! Mahalo!
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Pierce M.

Yelp
9/10 great food, if you want somewhere quick, affordable, overall great. 40$ got a family of 4 well fed, we came here after the Jurassic park tour. The service was quick, (10 minutes to get all of the food and drinks). The ice cream had a sort of good coconut taste, poi was ok, pork and chicken long rice and was to die for. Although it looks like a hole in the wall, the food is great. My only problem was the amount of flys and mosquitoes near by. (Drinks were great).
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Kyoo C.

Yelp
Perfect stop for ice cream driving around the island. Wanted the sweet lady with the taro thing, but they were out. No choice but to try tahitian lady which was some kind of banana bread pudding like on bottom. I'm not much a fan of bananas but hot gooey sweet banana bread pudding like goodness with cold ice cream made for a great treat! Got the large and it was big enough to feed me and wife and kid. Def will try to get the taro version next time. Maybe it's less sweet than the tahitian which can get a bit too sweet.
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Dank G.

Yelp
$25.50 Kanaka Nui - Laulau, Kalua Pig, Chicken Long Rice, with choice of Beef Luau, Rice, Lomi Salmon and Haupia. If you're going to get off the boat, you'd better be willing to go all the way. This plate is all the way. As legit you're going to find anywhere. Serves 2.
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Caren L.

Yelp
This is for the Windward Mall location. Ordered on-line and picked up, service was courteous and polite. We were all disappointed with the food quality, we are patrons of the original location and have always enjoyed their food. we have even purchased laulaus and freeze it for later. So, you can imagine our disappointment with our dinner plates. No Flavor, serving size is more than enough. Somebody forgot to add coconut milk to the squid luau and salt to the Kalua. Please taste before serving
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Kylie O.

Yelp
Waiahole Poi Factory DESERVES the 5 stars because WOW! I'm so thankful that our tour guide at Kuloa Ranch recommended this place because it was my FAVE spot on the island! Food 5/5 I got the plate lunch with kalua pork (amazing), chicken long rice (the best), rice, lomi salmon (not much salmon but still bomb), and haupia (this started my addiction for the rest of the trip!) Everything I ate was so good! Service 5/5 Service was quick. Workers were nice and I truly felt the aloha spirit! Ambiance 4/5 Waiahole definitely brings the local vibe but I loved it! Parking is limited fyi! There's some wooden benches on the side but they pack everything to go. I couldn't recommend this place enough! Mahalo for the excellent service all around!
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David L.

Yelp
The Waiahole poi factory serves all the Hawaiian comfort foods you could want and also the best haupia ice cream. You can find tons of cars and huge lines in front of this spot even though it's outside the city. I always stop by here for some haupia ice cream when I go around the island! Food I've only tried the haupia ice cream (either as a scoop or sweet lady of Waiahole). The haupia flavor is so good and the cream is creamy. The flavor is something that I've only really been able to find in Hawaii so I would highly recommend it. The ice cream hits the spot on a hot day. Atmosphere Just a walk up counter to order and pick up. There isn't really anywhere to sit. Pricing Prices are average for Hawaiian food and worth it! Service Staff is friendly. Food comes out hot and as soon as they can bring it out. Other There isn't really a parking lot so everyone just parks along the road. Be careful when parking though since I did see some cars get stuck.
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Honey F.

Yelp
A Must ! Do not miss out on some good Hawaiian food. Visitors and locals alike will find something they can enjoy here. Personally, everything on the menu is a winner in my book. If you're looking for specific recommendations, you'll want to get a "Sweet Lady of Waiahole" one of the best desserts I have ever had--NOT KIDDING. If you're not sure what to get, order the mixed plate to try a few dishes with some haupia, lomi salmon and poi on the side. Laulau & Kalua pig are my "go-to" choices. The workers here are always very nice and patient, but the line gets crazy long so try to check out the menu to decide on your order before you get to the window. I do not recommend planning to sit and eat here, grab your food to-go and eat at a beautiful north shore beach or at home. This location is right on the main road, and is not a convenient spot to sit BUT still worth it !!
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Hannah E.

Yelp
It had been SO long since I'd had lau lau, at least lau lau done right. Is it that hard to get taro leaves or butterfish on the mainland? Anyway, I was so excited to find it at this order-at-the-window joint bustling with locals, and even more excited that it came with lomi salmon, poi, and haupia pudding as a platter. It sounds like a lot of food, and it is, but it's not unfinishable. (In fact, I overheard the family in front of me say, as they packed up their many empty plates to toss, 'let's go home and put our stuff away and figure out where to go for dinner'.) Not me. I was full (but happy). Lau lau was wrapped in a good amount of soft, not-stringy-at-all taro leaves, and was cushioned by a layer of butterfish fat. Lomi salmon may be the only way I will willingly eat raw tomatoes - something about them swimming in fish juice and onions makes it okay. Maybe something about being raised on bagels and lox. I had only had poi once before, so I'm absolutely not an expert, but I liked it better now/here than I did decades ago. I ate here on my last night in town, or else I would have been here every day.
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Eva L.

Yelp
Authentic Hawaiian food that will leave you craving for more. This is my second time to the Poi factory but definitely will not be my last. We drove to the poi factory after a 2 hour hike to fill our stomach with amazing Hawaiian food. They have a parking lot with limited spaces in the front and more spaces in the back or you can park across the street, parallel style. There are some long tables on the side where you can sit and devour your food but keep in mind, it's first come first serve and you have to bus your own table. Otherwise, just eat in your car with the AC on. They have a window for ordering food and a window for picking up food and ordering desserts. We ordered a single plate with squid lu'au and a combo plate with laulau and kalua pig. Both plates came with a lomi salmon cup, haupia cup and a cup of poi. The laulau is the best I've ever had, the leaves are cooked just right and the meat just melts in your mouth. The kalua pig is seasoned well. The squid lu'au portion size was a bit small but the taste was delicious, I couldn't taste a lot of squid but there was a good amount of taro leaves and I can taste the hint of coconut milk. I just wished they could make the portion size bigger for the squid lu'au. It's nice to have complimentary poi, lomi salmon and haupia. Everything tasted amazing and all the workers were nice and efficient. We got our order quickly after paying. I can't wait to come back again next year
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Emily T.

Yelp
Cute little spot to check out if you're on this side of the island. Came across this spot on Yelp and had to come and try it out! Parking - street and back lot parking. It wasn't too busy when we came so parking was easy to get. Seating - They have benches on the side of the restaurant with a really cute chicken nearby that kind of walks around. Service - really friendly! Food - + 2 combo meal - chicken long rice and pork laulau - chicken long rice was good but sadly the pork laulau was pretty dry. Poi was pretty tasty, they also had some fresh pounded poi available that they did in the morning. + Also got their ice cream with kulolo and that was pretty tasty! Overall, besides the laulau meat being kind of dry the food was tasty!
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Annie W.

Yelp
Went here to try their poi. The poi didn't have any flavor to it so it was kind of disappointing. Everything else was decent. The chicken noodle soup was vermicelli noodles with barely any pieces of chicken. The octopus side also had 2 pieces of octopus inside. Salmon salad also barely had any salmon. The pork was probably the best thing on the menu. Definitely a tourist type of place with tourist prices
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MaryAnn C.

Yelp
Still can't believe I have not written a review... If you're looking for one of the best Hawaiian Food, Waiahole will always do you good. Parking is in the back or you can street park along the area. Ordered Beef Luau and Kalua Pig combo, Squid Luau and Kalua Pig combo both with poi ( and a side of rice just in case lol ). All combos come with Haupia and Lomi Salmon, food and service a 10/10.
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James M.

Yelp
This is a must stop if I am hiking on the East Side or heading to H3. Convenient location on the main road & you can't miss it, look for the crowds. The staff are super nice and friendly and really work hard to get the orders out quickly. After a long hike, the Sweet Lady of Waiahole dessert is really refreshing. The warm mochi at the bottom and delicious coconut ice cream is addictive. The kalua pig is some of the best you will taste on the island, so give it a try. I have not tasted other items on the menu, but I will.

Shawna K.

Yelp
Had to get my fix! If you are craving fresh hawaiian food on this side of the island, please check them out! Such a great place and fantastic friendly and great service. This is my weekly treat! After some shopping and a movie date. This is where we come. Thank you for our DELICIOUS meals!
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Danielle G.

Yelp
When I came across Waiahole Poi Factory on Yelp, it seemed like such a gem-- traditional Hawaiian food, no frills hole in the wall, and their very popular dessert that every review seemed to recommend. Our plan was to pick up the food on the way to Kualoa park/beach so I ordered online while we were driving there. Our order was ready when I arrived at the pickup window. I also realized I could order the Sweet Lady right at the window (wasn't available to order online) and I knew I shouldn't pass it up. We ended up devouring our dessert while driving to Kualoa because we didn't want the ice cream to melt. Everyone was right, just order it. The warmness of the kulolo (taro/coconut pudding) with the refreshing haupia ice cream is perfect. Our combo plate was delicious and portions were generous. The kalua pig was okay, just a little bit dry to me. But I really enjoyed the squid luau, lau lau (husband's fave), and lomi salmon. Later in our trip, we happened to stop by Windward Mall and saw the their indoor location and I'm glad we got to see this location first given its long history as a Poi factory for 70+ years.
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Danny C.

Yelp
Recommended to us by Missy at Kualoa Ranch and we headed there right after we left. Per her recommendation we tried the Sweet Lady of Waiahole. Highly recommended!
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Angela R.

Yelp
Waiahole poi factory is a must stop when we circle the island from the east. I mean the sweet lady of waiahole is perfect on a sunny Hawaii afternoon! The plate lunches are good too! A go to for me is squid luau and lau lau plate. My kids like the chicken long rice and kalua pork. The whole family leaves satisfied for sure!
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Jayne Y.

Yelp
While in the area, I made a quick stop here to try the Sweet Lady of Waiahole! Based on a friend's strong recommendation, I had to visit this humble and beloved restaurant to try their delicious dessert. Despite my reason for coming here, Waiahole Poi Factory is well-known for serving fresh poi (fermented taro root pounded into a smooth paste) and traditional Hawaiian cuisine (e.g., lau lau, chicken long rice, kalua pig). As we drove up to the restaurant, I saw tourists and locals occupying the entire area. The restaurant conveniently offered a dessert-only order window. The side street window displays a sign that reads, "SWEET lady or TAHITIAN lady of Waiahole & Haupia Ice cream ONLY." Yep, that's where I stood in line. The line was long, but my family and I waited about 5 minutes for our order to be ready. The outdoor seating options were all taken, so we ate our ice cream while we walked back to our car. How was it?! ONO! The warm Kulolo was scrumptious and the house-made Haupia (coconut) ice cream was heavenly! You can't find anything like this on the mainland, so it's worth the trip if you're in the area.
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Brie S.

Yelp
Waiahole Poi Factory serves up the most authentic and tasty Hawaiian cuisine. Their kalua pig is perfectly seasoned becoming a match made in heaven with their homemade lomi salmon. The Sweet Lady of Waiahole which consists of warm kulolo and haupia ice cream is to die for and will leave you dreaming about this dessert long after you've devoured it. This historical establishment is home to Hawaiian traditions and a genuine cultural experience as you can watch their team hand pound poi throughout the day. They do an incredible job of supporting local farmers so please show your love and aloha by stopping by Waiahole Poi Factory!
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Suzanne T.

Yelp
We stopped here on our day trip up the coastline along the east side up to the north shore. We got there around 1pm and the line was relatively long. I decided to order online and "skip the line" so to speak. This option definitely saved time. The Kalua pork was simply amazing. It was juicy, tender, flavorful (didn't need a thing added although some time of sauce would have been awesome). The rice was good but a little plain, even with the provided soy sauce. I personally didn't care for the side of salsa, but my just thought it was ok. If you do the online order, CHECK IT BEFORE YOU LEAVE. I had ordered an extra side of rice and didn't get it. Not the end of the world but I did deduct a star due to order inaccuracy. Still really tasty and worth a stop.
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Pete S.

Yelp
Not sure what else to add here that you don't already know. It took me this long to finally come here and it did not disappoint. We came, parked on the side of the road. (They also have a small lot) most people get it to go but there are I think 5 to 6 picnic benches you can sit to eat your lunch. We ordered a few different things here but the two item combo really suited us. Their Lau Lau is excellent, without overly salty. Kalua pork too. Super flavorful, taste like it was from an imu. Of course I had to get the poi. Yes it's fresh and we came on a Sunday too where they make it same day. You can buy a small tub to go for around $10. It doesn't have that slimy or sour taste you normally get from old poi. But it doesn't have much other flavor either, I think it's just straight up poi. We don't come this way often but if you go further north you can find where they film jurassic park. Across the street you can find eats and fresh coconut. So if you want to taste a little of bit of aloha the old school way this is the place to come.
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Cindy N.

Yelp
Came here a few times over the years but am just now getting around to write a review. I would have to say still the best squid luau on the island but I will say they kinda skimp on the squid since they're more popular now. Service is ok just a bunch of younger folks running the place, nothing out of the extraordinary. Make sure to try the squid luau and the lau lau those are probably my go tos. Chicken long rice is also good. Kalua pork is not bad. The Lomi lomi is eh and not the best. For dessert they give haupia which is a coconut dessert and it's decent but In my opinion you gotta try the sweet lady as well as the Tahitian lady. Parking is ample on the street as well as a little lot provided.
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Ruth S.

Yelp
My favorite place to go when I'm visiting moku o ko'olaupoko. The scenery and the service makes the food so much more ono.
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Bo K.

Yelp
This is legitimately one of the best Hawaiian food I've ever had. It's a big out of the way of the tourist spots on the island, but we did a long scenic drive all the way around the coast. Parking is limited and seating is all outdoors (among lots of wild chickens). Everyone talks about the poi and I can see why. SO. FRESH. It's great balance to the salty meats. We loved the squid lau lau the most, but wow the portion of kalua was amazing for its price. And after all of that yumminess... The sweet lady. 11/5. I will dream about the kulolo until I can return and have it again. It was perfect with the haupia ice cream, not too sweet. I regret that we shared it as a group because it was so delicious. This place is not all hype. Worth the drive.
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Kainani K.

Yelp
Today was the grand opening so I expected a long line, but we moved up really quickly. Since it was hot outside, I decided to try the Sweet Lady of Waiahole dessert which consisted of warm kulolo and haupia ice cream. This was absolutely delicious!! The kulolo was warm and subtle in flavor and the haupia ice cream was cold, refreshing and sweet... such an awesome combination! My husband got a combo plate (Kalua pig and chicken long rice) which came with white rice (you can get poi or rice), Lomi salmon, and haupia. The Kalua pig and chicken long rice were seasoned really well and the lomi salmon and haupia were delicious sides. If in the area, I highly recommend the Sweet Lady of Waiahole... it's so refreshing and delicious!
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Andrea G.

Yelp
On the way up to North Shore via the east side of the island, we stopped Waihole Poi Factory for a meal. There was a little bit of a line, but it moved quickly. We ordered laulau, which is taro leaves wrapped with pork inside. The pork was super tender. We also the squid luau. It looks like mush, but it tasted amazing. The coconut flavor paired perfectly with rice. Our combo meal came with salmon lomi and haupia too. If you're looking for places with amazing views to eat, they provide you with locations that you can choose from to enjoy your meal. Definitely stop here for a quick lunch. The food is good with many options for the combo. And lines move quickly.
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Christina M.

Yelp
Okay, the nice girl at farmers market at Kualoa Ranch said this is where she comes for good Hawaiian food and I'm so glad she told us about it. We love little local good delicious eats w good service. They were nice and the food was delicious my hubby said best Kalua pig he has had so far and he gets it everywhere we go! She also recommended the Sweet Lady dessert which is warm kulolo with haupia ice cream on top it was so good and not too sweet (I can't eat too sweet of desserts) We will be back soon for sure!!
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Joni F.

Yelp
11/20/2023 After the shrimp truck we decided to swing by Waiahole Poi Factory to try the Sweet Lady of Waiahole. With the first bite--OMG, so good! The warm gooey kulolo (taro/coconut), not too sweet; and the haupia (coconut) ice cream--perfect combo. The desserts can be conveniently ordered from the pick up window side, so you don't need to wait in the long plate lunch ordering line. Parking--a dirt lot, but it's so popular the stalls fill up. There are benches to eat near the premises. here are benches to eat near the premises.
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Mikey H.

Yelp
I had already gone to the one in the Windward Mall, but my cousin said I needed to go to the original location because it's "mo bettah"...well, of course I had to go. We were on our own circle tour of the island and lo and behold, we were passing by, so why not. There was a line when we pulled up...tourists and locals. There are some picnic tables on the side but we decided to take ours to go and find somewhere else to eat. We ended up at Kualoa park and had a nice view of Chinaman's Hat. Oh, we also ordered the Sweet Lady. It was a great way to past the time waiting for your food. Dessert first....why not? I ordered the same thing I had at the Windward Mall; lau lau, kalua pig, lomi salmon, rice, and a small piece of haupia. Everything was sooooooo ONO! What a great day to eat and be under the sun!!! When I passed by the next day, there was a really long line.
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Kevin Z.

Yelp
Hearty Hawaiian food awaits at this unassuming stop on the side of the highway. Reasonable prices for a build your own bowl / plate; with your choice of carb (Poi or Rice) and protein. Their poi texture is immaculate. Service was relatively quick - line up, place your order, grab your receipt and wait at the pickup window on the side for your number. I chose their Squid, which was less sweet than other versions I've had. Their taro leaf flavor is quite strong. Try their dessert once you've downed your entree! The juxtaposition of the haupia ice cream against the warm poi & carrot mixture is scrumptious. We left feeling quite satisfied.
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Sherry W.

Yelp
This humble little food joint serves up authentic Hawaiian cuisine. We were recommended by a local tour guides that work at Kualoa Ranch. I was pleasantly surprised and humbled by this whole experience. We got the combo plate so we could try a variety of things on the menu. The laulau and kalua pig were cooked perfectly to taste and not dry at all. We finished off with a Sweet Lady of Waiahole, which is warm kulolo (taro dessert) with haupia (coconut) ice cream, which is out of this world. The warm, sweet, gooey kulolo melts the haupia ice cream and it's a delightful bite! I'll definitely stop by when I go back to Hawaii! Only thing is, I wish there were tables and more seating outside. They have 2 benches you can sit on to eat the food but it's not exactly comfortable.
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Donna S.

Yelp
This was an okay for me. It was my first time trying authentic Hawaiian food and poi in Hawaii. I opted for the meal where you can try a little of everything (kanaka nui). The laulau is stewed pork and fish, kaula pig is like carnitas, chicken long rice is like a Chinese chicken noodle soup, squid luau is stewed squid, lomi salmon is like pico de gallo w pieces of salmon, haupia dessert is coconut jelly. The food comes out fast and then you can sit at the picnic tables to eat. There are chickens and chicks running around hoping you will drop some food.
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Angela A.

Yelp
Waiahole Poi Factory has finally arrived in the mall! The highly anticipated opening of this location is here! They are located inside of the Windward Mall food court. Right next to the mall entrance next to Big City Diner. Menu is pretty much the same as the OG location. However, the desserts are not listed on menu boards. Do not fear though, they got the haupia ice cream and yes, the sweet lady of waiahole. Cost is close to the same with a very small increase. However, it is well worth it to get some legit Hawaiian food!!! Decided to get combo plates because... why not?! Comes with 2 choices of main, rice or poi, lomi and haupia. $17.25 for all of that is well worth it. And of course I had to get some chili pepper water. $0.25 each What I'm always needing to get though is my sweet lady of waiahole. Warm kulolo topped with a scoop of creamy haupia ice cream. Try it!!!! $7.00 here There's a long line as we were all highly waiting for this location to open. However, because everything is pretty much prepared and ready, it moves very fast and food is ready in no time. Lots of seating inside of the food court, so no need to worry about where you can devour your meal.
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Brittney H.

Yelp
Authentic Hawaiian food. The service was great and the staff were all very welcoming and friendly. The food was also delicious. They're known for their sweet lady. We got a spread of food to Sample everything. Three plates was good for four girls. The salad there is very small but really delicious more like a veggie salad than a salad salad also high on the vinegar flavor which I really loved. The parking lot is small but also more parking in the back. No where to sit and eat so you will have to grab and go or eat in your car. We did get the sweet lady, however it melted by the time we got to where we ate. Still delicious though! Very laid back feel!
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Betty Q.

Yelp
Waiahole Poi Factory opened recently in Windward Mall. Couldn't wait to go! We got there around 1:45pm. The line wasn't too long and it moved quickly. While in line, you can look at their menu boards to decide what to order. I was so disappointed they ran out of poi! How could they have run out of poi? It's a staple like rice! We ordered the Kanaka Nui consisting of pork with butterfish lau lau, kalua pig, chicken long rice, squid luau, poi, lomi lomi salmon, and haupia. I was too hungry to look for or taste the butterfish in the lau lau. The squid luau was good. I was disappointed with the kalua pork. It was so dry and salty. The white rice was hard, too. The chicken long rice had a very strong ginger taste. The haupia was grainy. Parking is ample as they are in the mall. Sadly to say, it'll be awhile before I return.
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Sam M.

Yelp
My partner and I decided to check out Waiahole Poi Factory during our trip after hearing it was an authentic take on Hawaiian cuisine. It was definitely a unique experience. We tried the Kanaka Nui which is essentially a sampler platter of 7 different menu items - all of which I was unfamiliar with prior to eating here. We shared it between two people and it was enough to hold us over until our next meal several hours later. The food was good. You can tell it's made locally and fresh. Our favorite was the Lau Lau - the meat was so flavorful and tender. Our least favorite was the Poi. I actually thought it was okay, but my partner thought it was bland and flavorless. Overall, we enjoyed being able to try so many unique and traditional dishes in one sitting. This is definitely a must-try if you're traveling through the area. Note: they did not have an onsite dining area when we went, so be prepared to take your food to go, or eat in your car.
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Elaine L.

Yelp
A far drive out from town but conveniently located by kualoa ranch if you're out there visiting. Small proportions and mostly mediocre tasting, but the kalua pork was soft and tender!
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Stephanie S.

Yelp
When asking where to get some great local food on Oahu, my family and friends in Hawaii all said I needed to stop by to get laulau, hand pounded poi, and the sweet lady of Waiahole dessert, which is exactly what I did! Their Kanaka Nui platter has a little bit of everything so it's perfect if you want to share! The laulau was moist and I actually loved their squid luau! It definitely has a strong seafood flavor and this was the first time I actually enjoyed it so definitely give it a try! One thing to note is that there are no tables so you can get your food to-go or eat on one of the benches they have out! Or just eat everything on the trunk of your car like we did. It was my first time here and they definitely had better laulau than some other places I've tried on the island, and their Sweet Lady of Waiahole was recommend by everyone when I mentioned I was going here so you know it's a must try.
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Anne C.

Yelp
Just a quick stop on the way back from north shore. They have ice cream!!! But today I ordered a pork/fish laulau and it was warm and savory and salted just right, little poi on the side. A good snack.
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Brooke A.

Yelp
This was the perfect end to our day after a visit to Kualoa Ranch. It was just down the road (takeout only) and super quick. We started with dessert, the Sweet Lady of Waiahole, which is haupia ice cream with kulolo. It was better than any a la mode dish I've ever had! The haupia ice cream was creamy and sweet, and it melts just beautifully over the warm kulolo, grated and steamed taro which tastes similar to mochi. We got a combination laulau and squid plate to go. The portions are generous and well-packaged. Though they're known for their poi, we did choose rice due to the runnier nature of the squid. Everything was delicious, though the dessert was definitely the standout.
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Wendy S.

Yelp
This was an amazing lunch on our fun day trip to north shore!! We had the plate and was such large portions. The lau lau was amazing since it melted in mouth. The kalua pork was amazing mix with chili water. The parking was in the back had plenty of spots as well as parking on the side. There was many tables to sit in, and were all clean. The workers were all extremely nice and helpful. Love them. Coming back again soon!!!
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Steven O.

Yelp
Last stop on my Oahu food tour ended with me on the north shore. Waiahole poi factory has been on my to-do list for a few years now and I just wish I came earlier. The shop itself is so charming, right in the middle of old town part of the island. I got the sweet lady which everyone seemed to be recommending. The contrast of the warm kulolo with the haupia ice cream is one of my favorites. The kulolo reminds me of paiai which I came to love a few years back. I also wanted to try the Hawaiian fare so got a combo plate with chicken long rice + kalua pork. Also added on a side of chili water. When my dish came out, I was impressed with the portion size. This is hands down probably the best Hawaiian food I've had (or maybe my taste buds have just matured since growing up on Maui). This was my first time enjoying lomi lomi and the combo of the refreshing lomi lomi with the heavier kalua pork was much appreciated. The chili water added a nice kick but wasn't too spicy. The poi itself was good but I'm not an expert in discerning different poo apart. Ditto the chicken long rice. I already want to come back and my mouth is watering from writing this review. Worth another trip across the island. Sweet lady - I love kulolo combo long rice + pork + chili water + poi + rice + lomi Price solid Factory feel
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Ricky C.

Yelp
Not my cup of tea. Food was ok, service was quick and nice. Good outdoor seating for ambiance. Ice cream was fantastic!!
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Jayce W.

Yelp
Stopped by on the way back to Waikiki after a day at Kualoa Ranch to try the Sweet Lady of Waiahole. The cold ice cream with the warm Kulolo really hit the spot. Definitely check this spot out on your trip. Mahalo
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Chris H.

Yelp
Solid spot for Hawaiian food! I've never had poi so this was a great spot to try it for the first time! It's counter service and everyone was super friendly and helpful! Regret not trying there ice cream though! Next time then haha
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Sach T.

Yelp
We used to pass by this place a long time ago but never stopped by so we made special plans with my family to drive 19+ miles to try their food. What we did was order our food and dessert, ate the dessert there and drove another 4 miles to Kualoa Regional Park to eat our lunch since they have wooden tables scattered around. We all ordered the Lau Lau & Kalua Pig Combo Plate, 3 with poi and 1 with rice (the Combo Plate includes sides of Lomi Salmon, Haupia and your choice of rice or poi). The Lau Lau was pretty big and they gave a good amount of Kalua Pig. The portions of the sides were small and the Haupia tasted more like a gelatin. As for the dessert, a couple of us ordered the Sweet Lady of Waiahole (warm kulolo with Haupia ice cream)...they loved it! As for me, living on Oahu all my life, I've never tried kulolo before so I ordered just a single scoop of Haupia ice cream. Thought it was going to be a small scoop but it was huge...I liked it! My husband let me try a piece of his kulolo...it was good! I'll be ordering this the next time. When we got to the park and sorted the lunch, the Lau Lau & Kalua Pig Combo Plate with the rice only came with Kalua Pig. I was so disappointed! I paid $16.50 for the Combo Plate but got a $13 Regular Plate! Not sure how a mistake like this could've happened when all 4 plates were the same except for one with rice instead of poi. I ended up giving some of my lau lau to my daughter-in-law. We all did enjoy our food and dessert...just wish the sides were bigger and we got the correct order. Tip: CHECK YOUR FOOD BEFORE YOU LEAVE IF YOU'RE NOT EATING IT THERE!
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Woo K.

Yelp
I originally came here to try poi for the first time. But I decided to get the Kalua pork. And thank goodness I did. Like dude. This s@$* was soooo gooooooddd. So flavorful. So juicy. Ugh! The tomatoes to compliment the heavy richness of the pork. Rice to add texture and pairing with the grease. Like wow. Wowwwwwww. So good. I'm not used to poi so I thought it was ok.
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Katie C.

Yelp
First time having this type of hawaiian food & I was super satisfied with everything I tried. Flavors were unique and delicious! Kalua pig and squid luau paired perfectly with the sides provided. Cannot complain about anything. Loved that there were benches to sit on and enjoy the meal with chickens freely roaming around haha. Def recommend and will come back someday.
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Maxine P.

Yelp
After a beautiful morning hike with friends at Hoomahulai Botanical Gardens we decided to treat ourselves at the Waiahole Poi Factory. There is a location at the Mall in Kaneohe but I think it has a better vibe to visit the original location. Has a toad side stand feel, with a few chickens running around, picnic beaches outside for seating. We ordered at the window with a friendly woman. All of us ordered the Sweet Lady of Waiahole, which is a delicious ice cream dish of very smooth ice cream topping Kulolo which is made of taro, coconut and sweetened with sugar. The combination of flavors was yummy and worth a try. I ordered a Pork Lau Lau to take home to my husband. He said it was delish and very filling. The place was busy with tourist and locals alike, there for the Hawaiian food and the ice Cream. However this did not slow down delivery of our orders. Whether you are local or vacationer this is a great place for Hawaiian food.
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Gerald P.

Yelp
Went to have a take out lunch of Squid luau & Lau Lau , poi & Haupia @ the Waiahole Poi Factory along Kamahamaha Hwy in Waikane on the Windward side of Oahu.Highly recommended by my sister who lives on the other side of the island. Very scenic drive to get there. Got there a little after their 10 am opening, so went to their Order window, took a look & instantly ordered 2 plates of the same. Very intense menu with all Da Kine Hawaiian plate lunches & ala carte items to feel your appetite.Prices are in line with the quality & quantity of food served! Go to the pickup window & they call your number! Because we were there early before the lines form. Went to He'eia Pier about a couple of miles towards Kaneohe town & enjoyed lunch over looking Kaneohe Bay! Ambiance of the whole area is beautiful& peaceful!