Working-class neighbourhood between Downtown and the airport. Helena's Hawaiian Food on North School and Palace Saimin on North King anchor the local-food canon.
Order Pipikaula short ribs, butterfish collar and a side of poi.
Helena's Hawaiian Food on North School Street has served traditional Hawaiian plates in Kalihi Honolulu since 1946, now run by the founder's grandson Craig.
Order A regular saimin and a BBQ stick on the side.
Palace Saimin in Kalihi Honolulu is one of the state's oldest saimin shops, opened by Kame Ige in 1946 and still serving the shrimp-and-pork-dashi broth.
Also on this listHelena's Hawaiian Food
