Waimanalo on the windward side of Oahu home to one of the most beautiful and longest stretches of beach in the Hawaiian kingdom. While the district itself is limited as far as eateries and amenities go, you need to look no further than Kalapawai Cafe & Deli on Kalanianaʻole Highway. This is where everyone goes to grab breakfast before the beach, and where they also snag goodies to bring along for midday picnic. It’s also where they return to refuel after a day in the sun and saltwater.
The decor is spirited and surfy, and most certainly worth a few snaps from behind your smartphone lens. Being located near a renowned farming collective the dine-in food is equally engaging. On each plate is fresh and locally sourced fare that honors Hawaiian tastes with Kalua pork, spam, and fresh-catch peppering the menu from breakfast through to dinner. There are also delectable pastries and locally bottled beverages in addition to packaged to-go snacks, spices, sauces, and souvenirs available in the gift shop.
Amidst the old crumbling buildings and plate-lunch mainstays, the new Kalapawai Cafe & Deli has quickly become the epicenter of the Waimanalo community.