machi

I'd say that this is right...the managemetn change has been a bit of a let down. I liked Hoku's, and I enjoyed my Malaysian food I had at the brunch place below...I don't know if that was Plumeria Cafe or whatever its called. As to Halekulani, there is nothing better. I stayed with my boyfriend at the Prince when we came home, and their brunch is simply second rate. It's fine, but nothing like what you can expect at the Halekulani. We used to go there for Mother/Father Days and Easter, and my family would pretty much not eat the night before b/c we were saving up for the ono goodness that is the Orchids brunch.

#5: Tokkuri-Tei. This place is the best izakaya EVER. It's straight-up authentic. You cannot go wrong, and every time I manage to make it back home I head straight there. I miss it on the mainland, and even the izakaya in Manhattan don't do this place justice...

I like Young's Fish Market, too. We go there for our sashimi for New Year's parties. ←

I enjoyed Kenji's (I think that's it?) At any rate, its the restaurant that took over Sansei, in Restaurant Row. I also like 3660 On the Rise for an old standby. It's further than Restaurant Row, but given that it's Oahu, you can just hop on the H-1 on ramp up the street. L'Uraku is definitely good, too. Agreed re: Mariposa for dinner--they have an excellent lunch, but I think dinner is sub par.

OAHU: When I'm at home I like Orchids, which is the brunch that the Halekulani hotel serves on Sundays. Ask to be seated on the lanai, so you can see the water while you eat. Also nice is the Kahala Mandarin, b/c they also have a brunch on the lanai. If you want a "tea and sandwiches" brunch, I recommend their tea...everything is good, down to the scones and clotted cream. As for "local" food, I like Fukuya's, which serves Japanese "small plate" type food. It's definitely not a bacon and eggs type thing. Others also enjoy Sam Choy's Breakfast Lunch and Crab, if only b/c he serves portions that can feed three. I like their fried rice. In the same vein is Kaka'ako Kitchen, in Ward Centre. You could also see if Alan Wong's Pineapple Room, Alan Wong's, and Neiman Marcus's Mariposa serves brunch. BIG ISLAND: I confess to never going to the other islands, but I do remember eating at the Manago Inn when I was there in 1991 for the eclipse. That was good.