The Best Places to Eat in Kalihi Episode #1

#kalihi #foodie #oahu
In this video I will show you some of the best hole in the wall places to eat in Kalihi, Hawaii. There are so many other places in Kalihi that serve great food but I couldn't fit them in one episode.
I'll take you to Kam Bowl Restaurant for some great oxtail soup, Matsumoto's Okazuya, the manapua man at KPT building A, The Pastele Shop and the Shimazu Store for refreshing shave ice.
Please subscribe and like the video if you enjoyed it!

[@terileiiokua7198]

My Dad born &raised in Kahili on Republican St.. When he speaks about Kalihi there is a joy on his face that I cannot replicate.... The memories that he has - only he knows..

[@hawaiiguy1]

Happy to see 5k views on your premier video - congratulations ! i was born and raised in Kalihi from 58 to 87, (Kalihi Kai, Kapalama, Kalakaua and then Farrington HS) ! Manapua man, in the early 1960s on Eluwene St would walk up and down in residential streets and carry 2 metal like 5 gallon cans held on by rope and carried on both ends of a long stick which the would hold in back of his neck ! Imagine walking and carrying the load ! He would be ringing his hand held bell (da kine like paul revere would be clanging on his horse --lol) to notify us neighbors that he's here and close by !

[@FoodFiend]

Wow thanks for sharing your stories of growing up! My dad is a little older and also went to Kapalama, Kalakaua and Farrington. They changed the border line when I went to school so I ended up at McKinely. Houghtailing Street was the new border line. Thank you for your support!

[@howellwong11]

For me it was Puuhale, Kalakaua and Farrington from 1938 to 1950. My kindergarten was across the Crematory on Puuhale Road. I remember the Model T vegetable truck that used to go around the neighborhood. Nasty kids used to run after it and still fruits. I was born near First Bridge. It was all country back then. We moved next to the Oahu Prison ball park and railroad tracks in 1939.

[@lonelypigeon7562]

@@FoodFiend my parents told me its called "district exemption".....otherwize known as change of schools (instead of Kalihi Elem, it was Kapalama.....then instead of Dole Intermediate, it was Kalakaua, but ended up Farrington...).....I think the reason was that they did not want us kids to end up being "hijacked" on day.

[@FoodFiend]

@@lonelypigeon7562 district exemption is when you want to go to a school outside of what your area is, as you said. But there are new district lines made since my dad's time so now all the kids east of Houghtailing go to McKinley instead. Usually this is changed probably due to population change. The school probably can't handle the load of kids. My dad also went to Kapalama and now the district school changed to Lanakila Elementary instead.

[@SpotGoesHawaii]

Great video! I love hole in the wall restaurants. I don’t need fancy deco just big portions. Kalihi has got some of the best places to eat on the island IMHO. I also really liked your KPT Manapua man stop. Thanks for the tour. Subbed.

[@FoodFiend]

Thank you so much! I'm glad you liked it. I do all kinds so sometimes I do fancy places but not so much. But I do appreciate that you like hole in the walls. You just can't beat them!

[@hawaiiguy1]

know all the street places you took shots of, good that you showed the surroundings besides going to the places. I'm older than you and when I was a kid living on Eluwene St (near Mokauea St) in the early 60s/mid 1960s, the manapua man was a Chinese male who (didn't speak much English) and had on a white hat (like a hard hat) , carrying two metal round containers (like those 5 gallon buckets but maybe larger) on a stick about 4 ft long supporting the containers. They were being held on by ropes to the stick and he would ring the hand held bell (the kind you see on tv or at the movies in the colonial days 1500s in America when they ring the bell and say 'hear ye, hear ye'. Of course it is heavy in the beginning and you see him changing the positioning of the stick on his shoulder...that was bust ass hard work !

[@FoodFiend]

Mahalo for sharing your story! I didn't even know the manapua men used to do that with the buckets. Thank you for watching as well!

[@user-ix6cm2gf4i]

Loved it 👏👏👏. Keep'em coming. Mahalo🤙!

[@user-ix6cm2gf4i]

We had a old asian man that came down our street selling the best manapua,pork hash, and rice cakes for 10 cents -25 cents each. Still today I remember him being a strong man in his 70's but he carried a wooden pole with 2 big metal steamers, one on each side of the pole. And we would all gather around him and everything he had was fresh and hot. He was an awesome guy, he never said much but he smiled.

[@maxfit68906]

Mahalo SO much for doing this video and honoring a great city! I was born and raised in Kalihi (Amelia St) and graduated from Farmington in 86’. Your tour of all the great eating places brought back fond memories of my childhood. Especially when you said “You were lucky if you were able to have Okazu-Ya for your field trip lunch. Although I live in CA now, I still go back home and tour Kalihi and frequent the restaurants. Keep up the good work and NEVER ever be ashamed to say you’re from Kalihi ! The hardest working people in Hawaii come from this town 😎💪🏽.

[@FoodFiend]

Thank you so much for watching and for sharing your story! 🤙 Not ashamed for sure! 💯💯💯

[@Rvld3r808]

@maxfit68906 I grew up at Amelia St. as well. I think you we’re my neighbor and friend.

[@jasonbabila6006]

Gulick Deli was one of my go to places in Kalihi.

[@Me-mr6sv]

It's not where you live, it's how you live, great video !, God bless

[@king-6855]

😍 Hawaii my hometown but living in new Zealand for 25 years..thank u for the vlog 😍

[@FoodFiend]

Thank you for watching! 🤙🏼

[@howellwong11]

I thought about moving to New Zealand, but never had the courage to do it. It is a country that is far from all this craziness.

[@tonyrivera9321]

That’s those times when school street in Kalihi and Palama area was the real deal no traffic nice and slow and we all trusted each other you know what I mean. Those days are long long gone. To bad

[@Walts-Travel]

Where it all began!!!! 🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽

[@FoodFiend]

A random idea one day turned into something pretty cool.

[@Walts-Travel]

@@FoodFiend I agree.

[@rebeccagilman2020]

Kalihi, Brave girls! 🤙🏽😋😋👏🏼 yes, shave ice!!! 🍧🍧the bomb!👍🏼👍🏼💣💣.

[@Threewolfs-]

Best place I remember in Kalihi to eat was the old Rainbow Drive-in. So Ono, the plate lunches 🤙🏼❤️❤️. 🤙🏼❤️🇺🇸🤠

[@FoodFiend]

I will do a video on them one day. Thank you for watching! 🙏🤙

[@tonyc.1147]

So this is how it all started. So glad you kept up with it. I've learned so much about Oahu and of course the area where you grew up in. Love the "local" input that comes with all your videos. Keep them coming......please

[@FoodFiend]

Thanks so much for continuing to watch! ❤🤙

[@user-ix6cm2gf4i]

Wow! Looks ono at the manapua truck. I remember KPT was rough neighborhood back in the days. It looks different now.

[@FoodFiend]

It's a little bit spruced up, but the stairway still smells and the inside units look the same.

[@lorrainekomatsubara783]

Loved your video - used to go golfing in Hawaii in my youth. Wish I could have seen a video like yours so that I could have gone to the local little restaurants! Loved Hawaii!!

[@sidneyreyes875]

Yup I remember getting my bento for field trips back in my Kalihi Kai dayz!!! Keep up the awesome video’s 🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽

[@FoodFiend]

Mahalo for watching! 🤙🤙🤙

[@leeandrada4731]

I haven't been on that side passed likelike for 22 years. I grew up at KPT and Kuhio Homes.

[@tonyrivera9321]

Shout out to all my generation of people that are in there late fithys and grew up in the kalihi palama area of school street during a turbulent time in america

[@Shannonskoshiro]

Gotta get chow fun at Matsumoto's to go with the chicken and musubi with ume. Tastes just like Naka's that was on King street. That was where my favorite field trip lunches came from. The best was when the cafeteria workers went on strike around 1980 and I got it every day. My grandfather lived by Kalakaua Inter and I was told he used to sell meat, vegetables, and other stuff from a truck. I forget what they called them.

[@urs-]

Ai soos….you gyz crackin me up!!! 😂🤣🤣

[@FoodFiend]

Mahalo! Glad we could make you laugh ❤🤣

[@Mae.30.61]

I watched another of your Kalihi video and it brought back memories. Kuhio Homes, Kalihi Waena, Dole Intermediate, Farrington High '79. Great videos, mahalo!

[@FoodFiend]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@brucepai2142]

I grow up in Kahili born and raised. Banister Place is where I live Back in the 70s. Went to Puluhala school next to O.P Oahu Prison.

[@TTEREVE]

From Wahiawa but came to the main land from hawaii. Its always nice to see people shairing the food in hawaii!

[@FoodFiend]

Thanks for watching! Stay safe and warm out there.

[@toddkakazu2985]

This was great. I grew up in Kalihi but now live in Waipahu., but this brought back so many memories. When I was growing up there, the Managua man never had a truck or van. Instead he would walk around the neighborhood. with a hugestick on his shoulder and huge cans on the ends. They would usually contain manapua, pork hash,pepeiau, jin dui and sometime other stuff. He usually came on Saturday’s, calling out manapua, pokhash, pepeiau while rringing a large cow bell on a wooden handle. Every time we heard the bell we would stop whatever we were doing and run home to get money. Sometimes my mother would come out also to buy stuff for dinner.

[@FoodFiend]

Very interesting! Thanks for sharing your story of old Kalihi. Are you the same Todd from Sandwich Isles Herfing on FB?

[@mikedaspike8368]

A ton of mahalo your way for showcasing Kalihi eateries. Great eats in a working class hood for working class citizens like myself. Nice effort in disclosing where we can get the greatest bang for our hard earned bucks!!!!

[@FoodFiend]

Thank you so much for watching! 🙏

[@rochellesantiago7977]

I grew up on Gulick Ave just 3 houses away from Gulick Deli going makai until I was about 22. Go Govs! I never thought of Kalihi as low-income back in the days. To me it was just a normal neighborhood where we would stay out late playing at Kam Field and all over the neighborhood. We never worried about our safety. Those were great times and so many memories!

[@Me-mr6sv]

Why am I thinking of dog the bounty hunter ? Lol

[@kamaunuhenry3552]

Da bomb!

[@CARLOSCRUZ-qv1nr]

Thanks for sharing all of your videos...brings back a lot of memories!!! Remembering favorite hanging out a Kenny's...It was sad to hear Libby's Manapua shop had closed its doors.

[@FoodFiend]

Thank you for watching!

[@junegoodwin9345]

Libby’s closed why?

[@junegoodwin9345]

I used to live in Hawaii

[@FoodFiend]

@@junegoodwin9345 They kept silent on why they closed. They did it suddenly to the surprise of many. This was pre pandemic in 2019.

[@lonelypigeon7562]

@@junegoodwin9345 I think....the pandemic is kinda like an excuse, but I think the DOH (dept health) and its 'card rule/law" killed them.....the establishment had to meet a certain criteria and probably maybe to meet and upkeep it, would been TOO costly........SAME thing with Char Hung Sut. If you been inside CHS, you know what I mean.....the kitchen is NOT seperate to the retail side.....so its hard to prevent bugs, roaches, flies, to enter the kitchen...

[@susansegawa5519]

I too was raised in the area too, downtown Honolulu in the projects, across the old Palama Theater. Surely miss that coffee shop at Kam Bowl.

[@FoodFiend]

Awesome. So many old time things that went away that we surely miss.

[@Da808Legend]

it was rough back in the 70's and 80's when i was growing up. the bestest time! most of the best eaterys all gone already like the best bakery was Liberty Bakery across Farrington High, hot bread every sunday, CHEEE!

[@KakoMochi]

Where’s the LOVE button?!?! Tyler is from kalihi too, but he went to Farrington! I gotta ask him about matsumoto’s okazuya...he likes toshi’s. And I was expecting the fried noodles to be in bag! Keep them videos coming!!

[@FoodFiend]

Thanks Faye! Toshi's is great as well!

[@ladymurasaki370]

I grew up in Kalihi and went to Puuhale, Kalakaua & Farrington! I just had Alicia’s Market food the other day! 😋

[@ladymurasaki370]

Love Shimazu’s shave ice! 🍧

[@FlatTopJon]

Right on "Food Fiend!" After watching you at KPT with Manapua Man, I going get me some pork hash and rice cake too! Lol. Keep it up, good job girl! I just subd, and clicked the "bell"! Looking forward to more content. 😁👍👍👍🤙

[@FoodFiend]

Thank you so much! Appreciate it!

[@rickyjacobs5010]

Great job! I need some of that food in my life!

[@FoodFiend]

Thanks Ricky! Yes all great food!

[@jtabarejo]

The real history of the Manapua man goes way back, from the 1940's. Chinese man would walk into neighborhoods with Manapua in barrels hanging on bamboo stick. He carried the manapua barrels with the bamboo stick on his shoulder, walking through the neighborhood yelling "Manapua, Manapua."

[@Mae.30.61]

I lived in Kuhio Homes back when this exact Manapua Man walked down Ahonui street hollering, manapua, pepe au, okole! Hahaha I'm that old, but those days were the BEST!

[@lonelypigeon7562]

he would be hanging around Kalakaua Intermediate-then, before the main office structure burnt down.

[@silvasilva7008]

Good thinh about the manapua man he accepted food stamps .. I remember aftee school $1.50 fry noodles soda and fries .. Field trip i use to buy my food from 7/11

[@silversert3434]

I cant wait till the next episode sister! Brought back memories and imma have to hit the shave ice for dessert~ thumbs up!

[@FoodFiend]

Thanks for watching!

[@nicoleh4601]

Yum! Your son is adorable ☺️

[@FoodFiend]

Aw thank you! ❤

[@JustLiftUce]

I'm from Kansas City Mo but my cousin lives in the Major Wright Jets the last 20 years and every time I visit he always takes me to all the best spots to grub I gain like 20 pounds when I come back to the mainland😜

[@FoodFiend]

Right on! 🤣🤙

[@debbiewoo2525]

The Pastele Shop was opened in 1981 by Elisabeth Ross, a Hawaiian/Chinese woman born on a sugarcane plantation on Maui, where she grew up alongside Puerto Rican immigrants and was taught their food. Her dream of providing good pasteles for Hawai'i is carried on by her daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

[@lonelypigeon7562]

my former neighbors, the salcedos (hubby had a real cool truck with vanity horns and he used to participate in parades).....his wife, Anna used to cook pasteles and give some to us next door.......wrapped in t-leaves and tied with string.....that was in the early 60s, now.,....I am still hooked on pasteles!

[@devonmichaels1480]

My hometown best place to eat

[@FoodFiend]

Definitely agree with you!!

[@lusiaagasiva7443]

Thank you it's a great place I still live here

[@joettekanter3489]

Bubba is absolutely precious! 💙💙💙

[@FoodFiend]

He's super big now. Soon he will be taller than me!

[@boom2087]

Good job! Kalihi has some gems! And I’m one of those beautiful people from Kalihi lmao -Boom

[@FoodFiend]

Thanks! And yes, you are beautiful! LOL

[@tonyrivera9321]

The history of the Manapua man. Me Tony grew up on school street from 1969 to 1976. He was an old Chinese man that had a that large stick across his back with two large stainless steel buckets that’s where he put the hot Manapua items he sold all on foot.way before any engine van.that’s where Manapua man came from

[@steelwill4526]

Lub it😊

[@FoodFiend]

Thank you!

[@hgkal808]

I used to go Palace Saimin as a kid. Not sure if still around. Kam IV manapua man was solid. Masu's was mean too.

[@FoodFiend]

Palace Saimin is still there. Did that one in my Grandma Eats video I remember Masus!

[@lonelypigeon7562]

Masu's MASSIVE was THAT!!!! especially with the shoyu chicken plate!!! I could eat that plate every week! Palace Saimin still in the same spot BUT.....because Ch2 did a story about them during the pandemic, got choke crowds now....but no park across the PO, cuz I think they will somehow cite you.....also word of warning, Long Lane next door got some pretty evil looking micronesian kids living there.....LOCK YOUR VEHICLES!!!!

[@debbiewoo2525]

A very long time ago...teehee! When I was a little girl growing up in Kinaua Street, early morning the manapua man would walk the streets carrying 2 buckets at each end of a bamboo pole calling out, "Manapua Pipiau, Pork Hash"! And the Pastele man would also walk the streets calling out " Pastele dollar 3"! Yup, those were great memories.

[@FoodFiend]

Oh great memories! Thank you for sharing! ❤

[@lahensinc]

Awesome video.

[@FoodFiend]

Thank you, Gary!

[@mamiepa7688]

I Love and miss hearing the broken english, Enjoy the manapua food and many more foods to try. Enjoy Mahalo

[@joettekanter3489]

Thank you for another delicious video Misty! 😋😋😋 I miss the Managua man, lol! ❤️🙏🏻😊

[@lonelypigeon7562]

I give you a nice kind misspelling error, unlike another who is not filipino inclined.

[@nelsonluke6007]

@@lonelypigeon7562 lol

[@khi7302]

Love this video! Everything is so true and I'm a local in mililani

[@FoodFiend]

Thank you for watching!

[@Upsforlife]

Smoked_out_trippy checking in

[@FoodFiend]

Thank you for watching, brother!

[@MarkFromHawaii]

Everything looks so ono! Your recent tour through Kalihi didn't feature the Pastele Shop so I thought wat?!? And here it is in Episode 1. Aurrright!

[@FoodFiend]

😂🤙

[@daydreamer7060]

Going back after sooo many years. But was told there is no Manapua vans anymore :(. Was looking forward to pork hash

[@FoodFiend]

They are around. There's the KPT one behind building A, Pearl City by the pedestrian bridge on Moanalua Rd, one by Moanalua High school on Ala Ilima but only after school and one that drives around Nanakuli. If cannot find one go to any 7-11 for pork hash. It is the bomb for something fast food

[@bloomintokyoseoul]

Great content but check the narration volume level.

[@garytanida465]

You guys never went to island style bbq, mitsuken, pongo's, monarch's or even sugoi! Plus how you going to walk past ray's?! R.I.P. Libby's!

[@FoodFiend]

There's too many to cover like I said in the video but there will be other episodes to do most. I'm trying to avoid plate lunches because most are found everywhere. Looking for unique places but Ray's and Mitsuken are on the list.

[@reesecenter3595]

I always wondered if that manapua truck was good. I going try em next time

[@junegoodwin9345]

Yummy okauya

[@risaandjesus]

I don’t think Kalihi is all ghetto. It’s both a B and C area. I think the reason is that there’s 2-3 housing projects in Kalihi. Im assuming KPT made improvements and renovations although it’s still a housing, they wanted to slowly remove the bad reputation of KPT and help improve the tenants lives and community. Idk. But, because of Kamehameha Schools, Kam Shopping Center, Bishop Museum and Damien High School. It gentrifies Kalihi. Those establishments are more of a B area. Bernice Pauahi Bishop who established Kam School probably owns land in Kalihi, That tells you she’s not gonna let her land look trashy. The housings are like maybe a C area. I currently live in NY and u will see a lot of gentrified areas and maybe 1-3 blocks away is the housing projects mixed in that area. I love Kalihi. So many fond memories and great ono food!

[@FoodFiend]

Yeah it's a mix. Bishop Estate pretty much owns everything. Kamehameha Shopping Center and all the land near Kapalama Canal. I grew up there and also worked there most of my life so it has a special place in my heart.

[@DukeGibo]

Is Masu's plate lunch still around? Their plates were huge and had plenty weight!

[@FoodFiend]

No they closed down years ago. Like in the late 90s

[@YOURSODAKINE]

The manapua is a good place anyone can eat there the manapua man is nice even tho u don’t have enough he will tell u to owe him 1 dollar next time u go back

[@senemeli6644]

Was that mea rights project sorry it's been 33 years I was 7 years since I moved here in Kali but now I live in Park City Utah but I'm from KPT projects lol live in the B building lol I remember some of the streets u showing ur not to far from the tamashrio fish market I think I said it right lol and my old church right across from it and my old elementary school across from church and the fish market lol wait I love that manapua truck it's change the buildings looks nice is the Sunny store in front of KPT still there ?

[@FoodFiend]

Yes Sir that's Mayor Wrights. And Sunny Mart is still in front of KPT on the Linapuni Street side. :)

[@senemeli6644]

@@FoodFiend is linapuni elementary school still there in front of the A building ?

[@FoodFiend]

@@senemeli6644 Yes it is still there and kids still go to school there.

[@user-lg1dx6fy6f]

Its supposed to be a tangerine peel, lemon maybe different style.

[@cheguevara8410]

Swears and eats food all video long.... Subscribed!

[@FoodFiend]

Aw thanks. Hopefully I don't disappoint as I try not to swear anymore. You know, for the fucking kids. 🤣

[@cheguevara8410]

@@FoodFiend no worries! I was just joking with you! Great content by the way!

[@FoodFiend]

Thanks so much I appreciate you watching!

[@zmoothview7706]

Go to aiea manapua

[@SharpiesAdventures]

whoa, whats a hydroflask?!

[@FoodFiend]

🤣

[@lonobray289]

Auntie,I used to live Bernice street next to bishop museum and kapalama school,and in back of kam shopping center,Makuakane street.Way back before they put in the freeway next to Bishop hall and Farrington high school.

[@FoodFiend]

Wow! Great story. Kalihi is one of a kind.

[@LaniJeb96960]

Wow the high rises in KPT look different now

[@FoodFiend]

Yes they gave it a paint job a couple of years ago, but the elevators are still broken and slow LOL

[@LaniJeb96960]

@@FoodFiend oh no 😂

[@readbooks9985]

Tangerine peel or lemon?

[@FoodFiend]

Ah! You are correct. Tangerine peel. 🍊

[@lonelypigeon7562]

have PLENTY of notable folks who was born, raised and went to Farrington HS......I not shame about being born and raised, although the way the students nowadays are dressed for school, THAT I am ashamed of!....btw, sorry....I had to "jump ship" when someone was strongly giving brownie points to an eatery and talking with their mouths full of food....my madda woulda screamed at me to "EAT YO FOOD B4 YOU TALK!!!!!"

[@Me-mr6sv]

That's not fried chicken, you should come here in the South (Nashville Tennessee), you would be hooked on the fried chicken here, lol,

[@FoodFiend]

I would love to one day. That is one of the states I have not been too! Thank you for watching!

[@Me-mr6sv]

Your welcome anytime, something Tell's me, you would like Nashville, (warning, we tend to keep, the beautiful women that visit) lol

[@gilmoregrump2653]

What lol if you dip chicken in hot oil it's called fried chicken lol batter no batter or still with the feathers on.

[@Koolaukoa]

Great places, vid, but I’d never think you’re Japanese cuz I’ve watched 3 of your videos & you keep pronouncing okazu-ya “oh-cuzoo-ya” instead oh-KAH- zoo-ya. Cute but not Japanese sounding…

[@user-ix6cm2gf4i]

Girl ☺! I love Okazuya and your right my parents would buy for our field trips.🥲

[@FoodFiend]

I love it too! We were too poor so I never got them. But always eyed out other people's plates. But my mom is a great cook and packed me good lunches.

[@user-ix6cm2gf4i]

We didn't get it all the time, but when I did it was a treat. We were poor to but my dad worked hard and mom stayed home til we got older and we betta be thankful for what we had back then. Mahalo 🤗@@FoodFiend