Old school is in session with this original preparation of what is now often modified. Don has many claims to fame but none as bold as this fine cocktail. Bacardi 8, orange curacao, Whaler’s dark rum, fresh lime and a few smuggler’s secrets make this 1933 classic a must. Happy hour $5.25
Don the Beachcomber, Kailua-Kona HI
Mmm, this tasted like a vacation! Don’s sit right on Kailua Bay so you get a perfect view of the sunset. Wish I was back there!
Sunset over Kailua Bay from our table.
With spicy lilikoi sauce. $10.95
Duke’s Waikiki, Honolulu HI
This had good flavor, but it was a bit greasy – lame. The sauce was very subtle tasting. (lilikoi is Hawaiian passion fruit). Our bartender was super cool though so that made up for the mediocre food. 🙂
Place setting.
Waterfall and alpinia flowers (Zingiberaceae), Polynesian Cultural Center.
California roll with spicy tuna on top, sweet and sour sauce, tempura flakes. $18
Tokkuri Tei, Honolulu HI
Kilauea is a volcano on the island of Hawaii so they stacked this sushi roll to resemble it – pretty creative. The reddish spicy tuna on top even mimics flowing lava. It tasted pretty good but I’m not sure it was worth eighteen bucks. The spicy tuna had a slimy, squishy texture that I didn’t particularly enjoy.
Light-covered palm trees, Kapahulu Avenue.
“Bulgogi” beef, Hawaiian poke and Ka’lua pork. $16.95
Huggo’s on the Rocks, Kailua-Kona HI
Mmm, this was SO good and filling! I also liked the root vegetable chips that came with it. They were hearty and helped cut a lot of the saltiness from the proteins. I will say that my least favorite pupu was the Ka’lua pork. It was a bit on the dry side. Noms overall!
Huggo’s menu cover.
Oceanside view from our table.
$4
Honolulu (HNL) to Kailua-Kona (KOA), Go! Airlines
This was a really short flight so by the time we had ordered a beer and started drinking, we began preparing for landing and the flight attendant was walking around to collect the cans. I chugged that the remainder of the beer SO fast, lol!
Boarding Go! Airlines.
$3.25
HNL Food Kiosk, Honolulu International Airport (HNL)
We were starving when we got to the HNL domestic terminals to fly to the Big Island, but there wasn’t much to choose from. The only thing open was a small food kiosk with generic snack options. We chose the blueberry muffin because it was large enough to share. It was ok…
Colorful carpet in the HNL domestic gates.
Duke’s Mai Tai: Hawaiian juices with two different types of rum and orange curacao. $9
Duke’s Waikiki, Honolulu HI
Duke’s is super touristy, but it’s still nice to sit outside on Waikiki beach and enjoy the sunset. The food is middle of the road and the drinks are weak and sugary, but that’s OK because you’re on vacation, lol! The mai tai had good flavor though.
Mango-Rita: Jose Cuervo Gold tequila, mango, lime and triple sec. $8.50
This was more on the lime side than on the mango side and it could have used another shot of tequila. Oh well.
Sunset from the back patio at Duke’s Waikiki.
Scallop mixed with masago and spicy mayonnaise. Uramaki (inside-out) $9.50
Tokkuri Tei, Honolulu HI
Mmm! It’s a bit sad that one of the better rolls we had here was a simple spicy scallop roll. Some of the other items weren’t so fresh tasting, but maybe the spicy mayonnaise helped to cover up the old flavor. Who knows? I still enjoyed it.
Garbage container painted with Philodendron leaves, Waikiki Beach.
Original (white sugar), cinnamon, and Li Hing sugar. 1 dozen $11.31
Leonard’s Bakery, Honolulu HI
Malasadas are Portuguese donuts without holes! Leonard’s Bakery is famous for them so I had to try some while I was in Honolulu. Boy, was it worth it! The malasadas were fresh out of the fryer and newly coated with sugar. They were still warm when I tried my first one and it was heaven! The dough was soft and flavorful, with a bit of chewiness and a dense center. Nom nom noms! I even sent some to Seattle for my brother cause he was craving them!
Original white sugar malasada. You definitely have to try one fresh and warm!
Li Hing (Chinese plum) sugar malasada with coffee.
Malasada box.
Leonard’s Bakery storefront.
Grilled pork sausage. 4 pcs $4.50
Izakaya Takonoki, Honolulu HI
This was not the pork sausage I expected when I ordered this. I’ve had kurobuta sausage at other restaurants and they were always more substantial and meaty. The tiny sausages we received are the kind you find vacuum-packed at Asian markets looking pink and squishy. I didn’t enjoy this, and the mustard didn’t help very much.
Sausage tree (Kigelia africana, Bignoniaceae), Fort DeRussy Beach Park.
Strawbeery, banana, and vanilla. Small cup $2.15
Waiola Shave Ice, Honolulu HI
Mmm, this shaved ice was SO yummy! The ice is super fine and fluffy, unlike the the kind we get on the mainland. The syrup is also very good and not overly sweet. The service could use some improvement though.
Makua and Kila (Surfer Boy and Seal) statue, Waikiki Beach.
Double Decker! 1/2 pound of gourmet bacon and turkey breast with avocado, tomato, lettuce, and mayonnaise on toasted sourdough. Served with macaroni salad. $16
Giovanni Pastrami, Honolulu HI
Another gigantic sandwich from Giovanni Pastrami. This one was less creative with the ingredients, but it still hit the stop. Actually, it more than hit the spot – it sat in my stomach for a long while afterward, hehe.
Fort DeRussy Beach Park.
Vittle Monster 