Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Makahiki

    3.5 (804 reviews)
    Open 7:00 am - 11:00 AM

    Makahiki Photos

    Business Info

    MAKAHIKI ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Touristy
    Classy
    Loud

    You might also consider

    More like Makahiki

    Recommended Reviews - Makahiki

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Sarah C.

    We were able to snag some last minute reservations. People cancel all the time so if you keep checking you should get one. That is what happened with us. We thought the entire experience was wonderful and well organized. It is not going to be the next hot brunch place in SF but I thought the food was hearty and delicious. $50 dollars a person for this character dining experience. It was well worth it in our opinion. We were directed to take photos with mickey outside on the patio. He doesn't come inside the restaurant. We didn't opt for the photo pass during our stay but they do take professional photos for you along with your regular phone. They do try to sell it to you later while you are dining. We don't have many family photos so we did end up purchasing. Our picky toddler loved majority of the food offerings except for the fruit punch - it tasted like medicine- I don't blame her. Every person gets a Masada and fresh fruit. The food fame out quickly and we all felt it was a good amount of food. As a family we finished two entrees + and had one left over for leftovers. KĀLUA PIG OMELET three cage-free eggs, kālua pig, baby spinach, local tomatoes, gruyere cheese, herb-roasted potatoes - My husband thought this was well done. O´AHU FARMER'S OMELET three cage-free eggs, asparagus, bell peppers, cremini mushrooms, local tomatoes grilled red onions fontina and goat cheese, basil pesto, herb-roasted potatoes - packed with a veggies. could have been a bit more savory but it was good. The potatoes were plenty and cooked perfectly Minnie and Mickey Waffles Belgian Mickey and Red Velvet Minnie Waffle, Maple Syrup - hers came with potatoes too. They give you a small to-go maple syrup for left overs. The characters came over numerous times and our lovely waitress made sure we got many non-obstructed (she moved chairs, etc) photos as a family. We enjoyed the entire experience.

    Aarti R.

    Makahiki - the disappointment that you were. We dined at Makahiki for breakfast on our checkout day. Breakfast at Makahiki is the only option for character dining in all of Aulani. For breakfast, we checked in and then had to wait on the side for about five minutes before being brought to a line we had to wait on to see Mickey. Mr. Mouse looked like he was in peak vacay-mode in his shorts, Hawaiian t-shirt, and floral luau. We took a bunch of photos and then were lead into the dining room. Characters at makahiki are subject to change on a daily basis. Options can be Chip, Dale, Donald Duck, Goofy, and Max. The makahiki menu was surprisingly disappointing. I knew that in advance because I had looked at the menu several months out, but Makahiki was a must-do simply because of the uniqueness of the character breakfast. We were given hot and fresh malasadas to munch on while looking at the limited menu. On our dining day, the available characters were Chip, Dale, and Donald. They circulated the dining area visiting their new friends. I don't know if we dined too late, but the only character that came to see us was Chip. I had Mickey waffles for breakfast and hubs had a farm-fresh egg and bacon platter. The food was tasty and fresh, but there was nothing exciting or exotic about the food. Mickey gave us a great hug and that is worth any price tag. But as a DVC member, we were invited to the weekly (and free) DVC Member Appreciation event which was the best character interaction we had on the trip.

    Keiki (kids) breakfast menu
    Phil C.

    This review is for the character breakfast. A few in our group have been here before, and the rest of us were here for the first time. We made reservations a couple of months in advance for a large party and were seated within 15 minutes of checking in. Once called, we had a chance to take photos with Mickey Mouse, who was stationed near the host's desk. Everyone in our party had a picture with Mickey, then we were led to our table. The breakfast menu includes set starters and entrée options, no longer a buffet. Everyone at the table started with fresh fruit and a malasada. For my entrée, I chose the Punaluu Sweet Bread French Toast with Portuguese sausage. I enjoyed the French toast, though a bit sweeter than I'm used to, and the sausage was just ok. I've had better Portuguese sausage elsewhere. Some of my family enjoyed the Loco Moco, Kalua Pig Omelet, and Buttermilk Pancakes. A few characters (Minnie, Pluto, and Stitch) made their way around the dining area multiple times, greeting everyone, giving hugs, and creating photo opportunities. The adults were just as excited to see the characters as were the kids. This alone is worth the price. Our primary server, Jason (12/14/25), was excellent, attentive, and friendly. Always props to the staff whenever we dine in as a large group.

    Jennifer T.

    Five stars, no question!!!! Disney MAGIC at breakfast time!! We came here for the Disney Character Breakfast at Aulani (Makahiki) and WOW... absolutely AMAZING. This is exactly why we booked it -- and it exceeded all expectations . First off, we got to take photos and interact with Mickey Mouse right away (already winning ). We have four little kids, and from the moment we arrived, everything felt smooth and stress-free. We were seated right away in the most beautiful outdoor setting -- water, ponds, lush greenery, and that classic Aulani resort view . Now let's talk about the CHARACTERS because that's the real reason we were here The kids got to interact with: Mickey Mouse Minnie Mouse Pluto Goofy And not just a quick wave -- they came by multiple times, laughing, dancing, joking, and really engaging with the kids. There were SO many smiles, giggles, and magical moments . Watching our kids light up was honestly the best part of the entire experience. Food: The food was actually really good too! Mickey Mouse waffles (of course!) Sausage, eggs, classic breakfast items A nice variety for both kids and adults But let's be real -- we were here for the Disney characters, and they delivered BIG TIME . Customer Service: PHENOMENAL. Truly. Every Cast Member was attentive, kind, and so understanding that we had four little kids. They made us feel welcomed, never rushed, and totally supported the whole time . Price range (approx): * Adults (10+): around $49-$52 per person * Kids (ages 3-9): around $29-$32 per child * Under 3: typically FREE Hours: Character Breakfast is usually offered in the morning, typically between 7:00 AM - 11:00 AM (exact times vary by day, so reservations are highly recommended ). Pro Tips: Book early -- this fills up FAST Bring your camera/phone fully charged Let the kids wear Disney outfits for extra magic Relax and enjoy -- the characters come to YOU Bottom line: If you're staying at Aulani (or even if you're not), this is an absolute MUST -- especially for families. The magic, the joy, the characters, the service... everything was spot on . We would 100000% do this again!

    Gail U.

    Breakfast at Aulani's Makahiki. No longer a breakfast buffet but a sit down menu place. No kiddies dancing through the crowd but the characters still engage diners of all ages with hugs, shakas beckoning beaming smiles. I like the atmosphere better. Adults can order Belgian Mickey and Minnie(red velvet) waffles with choice of meats and fruits. You know what's cool? You can choose a Malasada to start your morning meal. I saw a local Bruddah smell it and smiled ear to ear. So much happiness here. Huge glasses of juice. I even had an iced decaf coffee our server Emma made for me. Even better than the Malasada, you get to take a photo with Mickey Mouse before you are seated. You can purchase the whole digital set plus get a printed photo in a portfolio delivered to your table. Come experience the magic of Disney in Hawaii.

    Character breakfast
    Travis C.

    So we tried to make reservations months ago for the character breakfast before we stayed at Aulani but they were all booked. So during our stay we just went to the breakfast and they were so accommodating and we got right in after waiting 10-15 min. I would say this breakfast is all worth it if you have a little one. They'll meet some of their favorite Disney characters during the breakfast. Which once you see your kids face light up, it's all worth it. Let's get to the food.. We started with Malasadas which is a Portuguese sugar donut and my daughter loved it! No picture because we ate them so quickly lol. Then for my entree I ordered the loco moco which is hamburger steak with eggs and gravy on top of rice. It was very good and everything good cooked to perfection. Wifey ordered the Kalua Pig omelet which of course I tried. It was moist and not dry which is a good thing. You want the Kalua pig juicy because if it's dry you won't eat it. Overall the breakfast was great and the service was on point. I highly highly recommend coming here for your kids to enjoy. You truly won't be disappointed.

    Mabeline M.

    It's been a little over 8 years that I've been here for character breakfast. Last time I was here was when my hubz and I didn't have kids and we brought our niece to character breakfast. Fast forward to this past weekend, we were able to come and share the experience with our own kids (4 of them) haha Staff was great! Very welcoming, showed the Aloha spirit! The place was still like new! Clean and well put. My family had a blast especially the kids! Plan to do another character breakfast when the younger kids are older haha

    Cookies and Cream dessert all edible
    Laura M.

    Ever since Covid restaurants have changed from buffet to sit down meals. We went to the 3 course character breakfast. The kids loved the picture taking in the beginning with Mickey Mouse and during the meal when the other Disney characters came to our table. The meal was just right and was pleasantly satisfying. I heard the reservations are months on our but Aulani did a wonderful job and served us well.

    Malasada and fresh fruit starter
    Sharon T.

    During my stay at Aulani, I tried out Makahiki for their character breakfast. Reservations were easy to get through their website, and when we arrived, checking in was very smooth. We were directed to a line where we waited to get a photo with Mickey! After the photo, we were brought back to the waiting area until we were seated shortly after. Each meal comes with coffee/juice and water and assorted fruits and a malasada as a starter. You then choose one main course from the breakfast main courses for your meal. We tried the french toast and the kalua pork omelette as our main dishes. The portion size is quite large and I was unable to finish it in one sitting, so I did end up bringing some of it back to the room. The omelette was tasty and they were generous with the amount of pork inside. The french toast was very good and the bread was thick and fluffy. The icing on top was also a nice sweet addition. Service was awesome and we got to meet Stitch, Minnie, and Pluto while we ate! It was very cute to see the characters come around. While the experience overall was good, I would say that the price point is really hard to justify. At the time of our visit (November 2025), the price for breakfast was $57 per adult (pre-tax). It's very cool to see the characters, but they only come by once to get some photos with you, and the breakfast dishes are similar to the same dishes you can get elsewhere for less than over $60 per person. Makahiki used to be a character breakfast buffet experience, and after Covid it seems they removed the buffet while still keeping the price point. I would say if you really want to meet characters, you can check the daily schedule for character meets around the resort and meet them for free.

    Steven Y.

    We went on President's Day for breakfast. My wife and I have been here a few times, but not in a while. Chef Stitch and Chef Minnie did our cooking. We thought they did a great job in cooking. The place was busy as usual and got lucky in making a last minute reservation. We got to take a photo with Mickey before being seated and also got to meet Pluto. Service was good and didn't have to wait long. We valet parked and just pay a tip. It was a fun atmosphere and didn't felt rush. We got to chat with each characters and took a selfie with them. Highly recommend if you have kids or even no kids but like a good old nostalgic time.

    Angelo B.

    We had a great experience as a family and absolutely loved it. The food is delicious, and it truly feels like a classic Disney experience. There are plenty of choices for both kids and adults, so everyone can find something they enjoy. Be sure to make a reservation in advance, as it's very popular and tends to be quite busy!

    Character breakfast
    Mandi R.

    Now that I've been to Makahiki for the Character Breakfast as well as the dinner, I'd say skip the expensive dinner and go to the breakfast. I think the value of the breakfast is good, all things considered. The fruit was super fresh and delicious, malasadas were good (though not close to being the best I've had), and the meal portion was good sized and tasty. My daughter hates breakfast food, and our server kindly allowed us to order off the keiki menu for her, though technically she is older than the 3-9 age for the keiki menu. With the adult menu costing $55, this was a great kindness. We got to do a meet-and-greet with Mickey, Minnie, Max and Pluto. All of them were wonderful and so fun. Highly recommend for families with kids still interested in the characters.

    Mickey brownie a la mode
    Trina D.

    Almost everyone goes to Makahiki for the Character Breakfast but my husband and I wanted to have a nice dinner at Aulani, since we canceled the luau reservation. 'AMA'AMA wasn't open on the dates we were there, so we chose Makahiki over the Olelo Room. We had a reservation but you could probably book the week of your stay as needed. We arrived on time and had a short wait before we were seated inside against the wall. We had asked for the patio but they were reserving the patio for larger parties. Makahiki offers prix fixe dining for dinner and there is a lot to choose from. We had trouble choosing but were fairly happy with our choices. We started out with a Mango mojito. I opted for the corn chowder, BBQ pork ribs with mac & cheese and broccolini, and the caramel cheesecake for dessert. My husband went with the wedge salad with ranch dressing, NY prime strip steak with whipped potatoes and asparagus, and Mickey brownie a la mode for dessert. Our waitress was super nice and we had a great time with our meal, while people watching. There was a lot of food. After finishing our appetizers, we did not finish our mains and ended up bringing some leftovers back to the room to enjoy next day. We shared one dessert and packed the other to go as well. Being in Ko Olina, we enjoyed the open air dining with the touch of Disney magic. I'm a Magic Key Holder so I would rate this restaurant on par with Blue Bayou at Disneyland. For a Disney restaurant, the food is solid and so is the service. 4 stars

    See all

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sarah C.
    163
    2367
    1024

    4 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 10
    Thanks 5
    Love this 13
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 2
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 2
    Love this 5
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lyn L.
    490
    1452
    4497

    1 year ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jenna M.
    1134
    518
    2744

    10 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    28 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 9
    Thanks 2
    Love this 9
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 10
    Thanks 8
    Love this 13
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Josh H.
    12
    18
    4

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 2

    Page 1 of 21

    Makahiki Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Makahiki

    So the Character Breakfast is now $55 without buffet. Is it still all you can eat but you order from your table? Maybe just all you can eat with your one item? Also the 3-Course Breakfast Menu only has 2 courses listed. What's the 3rd course? I

    Hi, yeah, its not a buffet any more. The 3 courses are 1. Island fruit plate, 2. Malasada, 3. Entre of your choice. A coffee or juice is included in the price, and if you included a celebratory indication, they include a small oreo dessert.

    Is there a drink menu that has additional charges to the adult breakfast menu (just trying to gauge an estimate per person)?

    No the drinks they have on hand is inclusive with refills. Coffee, tea, and a variety of juices

    How much is breakfast?

    49$ for adults and 30$ for children under 9 years. Can only book 30 days in advance.

    Is it not a buffet anymore?

    Unfortunately not. They changed it due to Covid restrictions and never went back. It's now a set menu dining experience. Still have the characters though, if that's a selling point lol

    Can I walk in or make reservation for a breakfast? We are not staying at the resort.

    They might take walk in if tables available! I would totally recommend making reservation ahead of time at Aulani website to avoid wait time &/or disappointment! We booked ours a month prior to our breakfast date! Totally loved the food and… Read more

    If we want to take pictures with the Disney character, should we go for breakfast or dinner?

    Breakfast only, call them to see what days they have the characters available.

    Are the drinks included in the price?

    Yes--we ordered coffee and juices

    Is Mickey Mouse available to rent for an outside Aulani party?? The other mickeys I've seen just don't compare the Aulani Mickey Mouse. Willing to pay $$$?

    Mickey hangs our at Aulani while on vacation here in Hawai'I. You can see him and his friends at the Makahiki Restaurant and around the property. He does do private meet and… Read more

    What are the character show times for dinner?

    Show time at Dinner is not always available. If you want to guarantee Characters, show up for breakfast. Call ahead for certainty.

    Is this place reservations only is Walk-in ok?

    We walked in and was put on a waitlist. We got seated after all the people with reservations were taken care of.

    Is there photo op with Mickey Mouse for the character dinner?

    Yes. Characters also come around to your table as well and you can take a photo with them.

    Is there a good seat in the house I can request when I make a reservation? I'm thinking outside would be nice but wouldn't want to miss the characters if they're mainly inside. Any suggestions would be appreciated, thanks!

    All the characters will make their rounds to all the tables, so don't worry about missing a photo op with any of them. I prefer to sit outside under an umbrella while I'm enjoying my breakfast. You're in Hawaii, enjoy the fresh air and sun !!!

    Do they have an Easter brunch?

    Yes

    Is Moana a character at the breakfast?

    She is not at the breakfast, but can be found on the property for meet and greets

    How much is it?

    Price for Character Show Dining Adults: $54.00 Keiki (Ages 3 to 9): $27.00… Read more

    How is the character dinner? Is it sort of like the character breakfast? Which is better recommended for a birthday boy turning 6?

    I did the breakfast a while ago and did the dinner on Monday. When I did the breakfast a while back I only got to take pictures with Mickey & Minnie and was told you had to be staying at the hotel to be able to pictures with others (I really wanted… Read more

    Do they offer kama'aina?

    Unfortunately no

    Hey! Could someone tell me who are the characters at the breakfast buffet? Since its an expensive restaurant I wanna make sure that the characters my kids will meet there are some they love... Thank you!

    At breakfast it is hosted by Auntie and Minnie. Guests take photos with Mickey outside before being shown to their table. Goofy is around as well and the kids can join them in a parade around the dining area. My husband and I are Disney fans and… Read more

    View All 19 Questions

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Bars 9,445 times last month within 10 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Gina's Kapolei

    Gina's Kapolei

    4.5
    (505 reviews)
    3.0 mi
    $$

    Great to find Gina's in Kapolei! For years we went to Gina's at Market city in Kaimuki and missed…read morethem after they sold the restaurant. After looking for a place to eat in Kapolei we came across Gina's Kapolei and walking into the restaurant we saw that Gina's son was working behind the counter!!! It was awesome to have the yummy food that was so much a part of my past . We got the family mini pack - it's great for 2-3 people who have a large appetite- 3 large pieces of Kalbi - bulgofi - man du - BBQ chicken- meat Jun - rice and choice of 4 veggies. It's a generous portion of meat more than enough for 3 people and we had leftovers too. The food is very good the Kalbi is a standout and the fried Man Du and meat Jun was excellent. We loved the seaweed w/ daikon - tofu and kimchee all so good. The people are friendly and really helpful - parking is plentiful. I can't wait to go back really the perfect meal no matter what you have. They also have catering party players and catering sets great for a gathering

    The world feels like it's burning up and falling apart lately. I'm home on O'ahu for the Summer and…read moredon't recognize where I am sometimes. So many old businesses are no longer with us. So you can imagine the pure joy I experienced when I walked into Gina's and recognized the banchan, size and char on meats, the smell, being surrounded by local families and friendly faces behind the counter. My heart leapt for joy seeing that I could have both fish jun AND kalbi and if I wanted I could've gotten a third choice. My eyes spotted a familiar side dish of seasoned potatoes, which I left it for the next person and got the daikon, perfectly seasoned not dry at all jap chae, and kim chi cucumbers. When I took my first bit into the kalbi, life was made good again. It was reset and welcome home I needed. It was a perfectly cut and marinated kalbi. The fish Jin was seasoned so well I barely needed to dip it into a sauce. The portions could have fed 2. I asked if they were related to the Gina's in Market City. Bro, this is the OG Gina's!! The owner said they sold the other one and his mom helped him start this one. It looked like the whole family was behind the counter. I wanted to cry. Not all things have changed in Hawai'i! Some things got better! OG Gina's being in Kapolei is one of em.

    Photos
    Containers for side orders
    Containers for side orders
    Spicy pork (from a two choice combo)
    Spicy pork (from a two choice combo)
    Fried Chicken Plate (Regular)

    See all

    Fried Chicken Plate (Regular)
    Monkeypod Kitchen

    Monkeypod Kitchen

    4.0
    (5.4k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    This is our go to spot everytime we come to Disney aulani since it's walking distance. The pizzas,…read morefries, beer were all delicious. I would recommend the Mai tai, pork & pineapple pizza, and wild mushroom pizza. Kalei was our server and she was excellent and had great recommendations. Please is great and had a great view on the 2nd floor. Will come again of course!

    We ventured off the Ko Olina property and headed down the street to the monkeypod, which was a nice…read morechange of atmosphere which was lively. The service was excellent and the food was good. Definitely a step above typical pub fair That said, I found it to be a bit excessive. The guests are charged for parking while actively patronizing the restaurants and businesses on site even more frustrating. If you don't properly scan and register your parking you will receive a $49 to start out with a ticket as my son unfortunately, learned the hard way. you think if you patronize an establishment they would validate your parking so you don't have to pay. As for the dining experience, monkeypod promotes a local farm to table concept, and the quality of the ingredients seem to support that the food was enjoyable and the Service was outstanding just be prepared for the price tag. Our Bill for seven people was around 500 so while it was good a good meal it certainly wasn't inexpensive. Overall, I recommend the monkey pod for atmosphere service and quality food. Just go in knowing that both parking and dining come in a premium.

    Photos
    Banana Cream Pie Strawberry Cream Pie
    Banana Cream Pie Strawberry Cream Pie
    Guava cream pie
    Guava cream pie
    Virgin mai tai

    See all

    Virgin mai tai
    Moani Island Bistro & Bar

    Moani Island Bistro & Bar

    4.3
    (674 reviews)
    4.6 mi
    $$

    Moani Bar & Grill at Ka Makana Ali'i is one of those spots that instantly feels like West Side pau…read morehana energy -- live music, good vibes, and plates that hit the spot after a long day. The atmosphere is open, breezy, and always buzzing, especially when the band starts up. It's the kind of place where you can roll in with family, friends, or your whole canoe crew and feel right at home. The menu leans heavy on local comfort favorites appetizers, island‑style entrées, and cocktails that go down easy. Portions are solid, flavors are consistent, and the drinks come out fast even when the place is packed. Moani's happy hour is one of the best parts -- perfect for grabbing a drink before dinner or chilling after shopping. Based on current listings and typical offerings at Moani's Kapolei location, happy hour usually includes: Discounted signature cocktails, Beer specials, Reduced‑price pupus like wings, fries and more. Moani is known for its live music, featuring local artists almost nightly. It's lively but not overwhelming -- you can still talk story at your table without yelling. The crowd is a mix of families, couples, and groups celebrating something (because someone is always celebrating something at Moani). Moani Bar & Grill is a solid Kapolei pau hana spot -- good food, strong drinks, live music, and a happy hour that makes it easy to unwind without breaking the bank. If you're already cruising Ka Makana Ali'i, it's one of the best places to stop, chill, and enjoy the West Side vibe.

    We came here based on a suggestion from our hotel staff they said it was great "local food" we were…read moreinterested and saw that they had fried rice on their menu so we were excited to try it. The vibes are good with live music but the music is LOUD so be prepared you have to talk pretty loud to hear the people at your table. The gluten free menu is available but it is limited. The server was fantastic about answering questions and honestly she was the best part of the meal. I ordered the edamame and shrimp fried rice my mom ordered the Caesar salad. The portions are LARGE plenty for 3-4 people to split let alone two. Caesar salad was standard and good from what my mom told me. Edamame- I probably would not order this again. It was fine, but I didn't love the seasoning blend on it personally there are other things I would be interested in trying. Shrimp fried rice- I was really excited to try this and I was really hoping that it would be excellent and it was OK. The shrimp was cooked well and the fried rice just felt like it needed some more butter and it was lacking some of the things that make fried rice, fried rice like a fried egg so overall not my favorite dish. The gluten-free menu was pretty limited on options for me to try so I would probably go to somewhere else to try and get fried rice in the future.

    Photos
    Live entertainment Fridays stating at 6pm!
    Live entertainment Fridays stating at 6pm!
    Hawaiian Style Poke
    Hawaiian Style Poke
    Fried Whole Fish

    See all

    Fried Whole Fish
    Highway Inn

    Highway Inn

    4.1
    (1.1k reviews)
    8.3 mi
    $$

    I love the food at Highway Inn. I've been to the one at Kakaako a few times. It was my first time a…read morethis location. My uncle was visiting from Seattle, so we did a family lunch here. It was a Saturday and the place was packed. The parking lot was full, so we parked on the street fronting the restaurant. We ordered a lot of food. I got my favorite squid luau combo $17.99. I got mine with white rice, lomi salmon, pipikaula and haupia. The Kakaako location gives purple sweet potato instead of pipikaula. I like this place so much more. I'd rather have the pipikaula instead of the sweet potato any day. The pipikaula is juicy, tender and moist. It's so good. I also like the squid luau from Highway Inn, because it's on the sweeter side. Their buttermilk pancakes with haupia sauce and mac nuts $17.99 are excellent as well. The service was good. He came to check on us a few times. They also add a 5% kitchen charge to your bill on top of what you tip.

    Highway Inn Waipahu is the place for ono Hawaiian food, and live music on Wednesdays…read more I usually get the side order squid luau and kalua pork. On 7/1/2026 I ordered the lau lau combination plate. I got it with Lomi salon. pipikula, scoop of rice and haupia. So Ono! The lau lau was very moist and a good portion, I wasn't able to finish it. If you need a take out container you'll be charged $1. The pipikula was soft and tasty. The haupia was creamy and a perfect ending to my delicious meal. Thank you Roz M for dinner. Tips: Sign up for their frequent diner program. There's different tier levels basic level earns 5% to Mano tier which earns 6.5% on eligible purchases. Birthday rewards you'll receive a house baked dessert or slice of haupia. Depending on the tier level you're at you can get up to 20% off your bill. As always customer service is excellent! A Hui Hou

    Photos
    T-shirts, children's library, Guy Fieri, photo wall of customers
    T-shirts, children's library, Guy Fieri, photo wall of customers
    Hawaiian moco (rice, lau lau, stew gravy, lomi tomato, egg, mac salad (not pictured)
    Hawaiian moco (rice, lau lau, stew gravy, lomi tomato, egg, mac salad (not pictured)
    View from parking lot

    See all

    View from parking lot
    Laverne's

    Laverne's

    4.4
    (16 reviews)
    2.4 mi

    I was on my way to Shabuya and ended up finding this food truck along the way as a happy accident…read more As a casual daily helper, I'm always looking at Yelp to help me find my next meal, so naturally I've heard of Laverne's for a while. When I found this food truck, I immediately wanted to stop by and see what the hype was about. I visited about 30 minutes before closing. The only thing they had run out of was the chop steak and one other protein, which wasn't too big of a deal for me. My eye was on the beef stew. Growing up in a Filipino household, I knew this dish as "caldareta." My dad would make this for me all the time. I asked for a bowl to go so I could enjoy it for dinner later. The first bite instantly sent me back to my family's home kitchen, where I would come home from school and find a pot of beef stew waiting for me. What I love about Hawaii is that it has a blend of cultures that I truly appreciate as a foodie, and experiences like this feel like a nostalgia tour. Thank you for this delicious meal. It made me miss my mom and dad a little more than I usually do. Food not only nourishes us, but also brings us back to a moment in time. I thank Laverne's for that.

    I always like Laverne's food truck when I was living in Kunia I used to go to the one in Waikele…read morethe food was good so today me and the wife had errands to do so we got coffee and Starbucks and stop at the Kapolei one by Home Depot wasn't busy so wifey go the combo A and I got the B both with rice she got a side of the beef stew, had one guy serving the food my plate had the Kalua pig and Squid luau was ono the only downfall was the rice I guess was the day old rice cause was but other than that food was good

    Photos
    Laverne's
    Laverne's
    Laverne's

    See all

    Da Crawfish and Crabshack

    Da Crawfish and Crabshack

    4.0
    (1.3k reviews)
    2.7 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Happy hour specials

    gonna keep this simple i ordered hamburger steak plate lunch…read more garlic noodles hamburger steak spaghetti salad value i can see why their lunch specials are popular. it's good at a very good price. in this economy, this is a steal. the servers were working their asses off serving the tables and juggling the lunch orders. hats off to them.

    We tried the Da Crawfish and Crabshack's (Kapolei) $9.99 weekday Lunch Specials that they offer…read morefrom 11 am - 3 pm. Huge disappointment. First, the actual plates aren't close to the portions pictured in prior reviews. We ordered the Smoked Chicken which was more like "Skimpy" Chicken soaked in vinegar. The Pork Adobo was drenched with "sweet/sour sauce" which left a lasting aftertaste in your mouth. The Pork Ribs were actually the closest to previous pictured plates - tasted like "salt and vinegar" instead of "salt and pepper" - still skimpy (little meat covering huge bone inside)! Their "garlic noodles" had so much garlic that I'm sure that Vampires and Draculas will stay away from me for a week. The rice tasted like "day-old refrigerated" rice which was microwaved. I becomes solid if not eaten immediately. So shame. I can't imagine the other selections are any better so I'll just refrain from returning again. I would not eat this food even if you gave it to me for free. I believe you'll get a bigger bang for your buck by using the BOGO coupon at Loco Moco Kapolei located in the same mall.

    Photos
    Combo #1 $29.99
    Combo #1 $29.99
    Da Crawfish and Crabshack
    Lunch special. $14. Add a $1 beer during happy hour and you can't go wrong.

    See all

    Lunch special. $14. Add a $1 beer during happy hour and you can't go wrong.

    Makahiki - bars - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...