Poi is the heart of Hawaiian cuisine — sacred, nourishing, and meant to be eaten fresh. Most grocery-store poi sits in plastic containers for days, losing flavor and nutrients. At Waiahole Poi Factory, we hand-pound taro every morning using traditional methods. You’ll taste the difference immediately. Fresh poi has a clean, slightly sweet flavor and smooth texture — nothing like the sour, gluey product sold in stores. We serve it within hours of preparation, alongside kalua pig, laulau wrapped in taro leaves, squid lu‘au simmered with coconut milk, and the rest of the dishes that belong at a real Hawaiian gathering.
Whether you’re a local craving the comfort of traditional home cooking or a visitor seeking real island food culture beyond resort buffets, you’ve found the right place. We feed Hawaii families, host celebrations, and keep the recipes alive with aloha.
Our Legacy: Serving Hawaii Since 1905
The Waiahole Poi Factory building itself carries more than a century of history. Constructed in 1905 as a working poi factory, it processed kalo grown in the surrounding lo‘i of Waiahole Valley for nearly seventy years. In the 1970s the factory closed. Charlene and Calvin Hoe leased the building and turned it into an art gallery. Later they refurbished the kitchen so it could produce poi again. In 2009 the family returned fully to its roots, opening as a homemade Hawaiian food and hand-pounded poi restaurant.
Today the business remains family-operated under owner Liko Hoe. The motto is simple and deep: “Hānai i ka ‘ai, hānai i ke aloha” — to nourish with food, to nourish with love. Every plate is inspired by the food you would find at a traditional Hawaiian lūʻau. We support local farmers, keep an agricultural presence in the valley, and share genuine Hawaiian culture through the food itself.
Why Locals Choose Waiahole Poi Factory for Fresh Poi in Hawaii
We are not a themed restaurant or tourist attraction. We are a Native Hawaiian family operation rooted in the same valley where taro has been cultivated for generations.
- Hand-prepared daily using methods that preserve texture and cultural integrity
- Taro and ingredients sourced with respect for the land of Waiahole Valley
- Generational knowledge that survived cultural change and continues in every batch of poi, every laulau, and every pan of kalua pig
Fresh poi loses quality and nutrients quickly. That is why we never serve yesterday’s batch. The texture, flavor, and authenticity are completely different from machine-processed, packaged products.
What’s On the Menu: Fresh Poi, Hawaiian Plates, and More
Our menu is straightforward and generous. You build your plate around the classic Hawaiian entrées that belong together.
Hawaiian Plates
Entrée choices include:
- Kalua Pig — Pork butt slow-cooked and smoked for twelve hours until fall-apart tender, seasoned with Hawaiian sea salt.
- Laulau — Generous pork with a touch of butterfish wrapped and steamed in taro leaves.
- Squid Lu‘au — Thinly sliced octopus made tender in rich coconut milk with slowly cooked taro leaves.
- Beef Lu‘au — Braised beef chuck with sautéed onions, ginger, and taro leaves.
- Chicken Long Rice — Chicken and rice noodles in a ginger-chicken broth.
Every plate comes with lomi salmon (diced tomatoes, onion, green onion, and salt-cured salmon) and a serving of haupia (light coconut pudding). You choose rice or poi. For the most traditional experience, choose poi.
Traditional Desserts
Kulolo is steamed for twenty-four hours from taro root, coconut milk, and sugar until it becomes a sweet, gooey treat. Our signature dessert is the Sweet Lady of Waiahole — warm house-made kulolo topped with creamy haupia ice cream. There is also the Tahitian Sweet Lady (warm banana po‘e with haupia ice cream) and plain haupia or kulolo by the scoop or pound when available.
Island Beverages (Original Location)
Fresh-squeezed limeade, mamaki tea brewed with native Hawaiian leaves and lemongrass (sweetened or unsweetened), and ‘awa (kava), the traditional ceremonial drink. Soft drinks and Hawaiian Sun juices are also available.
New to poi? Start with a regular combo plate and one-finger poi (thicker, milder consistency). Poi is meant to balance rich, salty foods. Scoop a bite of kalua pig or laulau, then a bite of poi. The contrast is what makes Hawaiian plate lunch work.
Where to Find Us: Two Locations on Oahu
We operate two restaurants on the windward side of Oahu, both offering the same family recipes.
Historic Waiahole Valley (Original) & WPF Country Store
48-140 Kamehameha Hwy, Kāneʻohe, HI 96744
Phone: (808) 239-2222
Hours: Monday, Wednesday–Sunday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Closed Tuesdays
This is the original 1905 building in the valley. Hand-pounded poi is available here, along with the full menu and Country Store. Free parking and wheelchair access.
Windward Mall Food Court
46-056 Kamehameha Hwy, Kāneʻohe, HI 96744 (upper-level food court)
Extended hours: Monday–Thursday 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Friday–Saturday 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM; Sunday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Open seven days a week, including Tuesdays.
Note that the full hand-pounded poi experience is tied to the original valley location. The mall location serves most menu items with convenient extended hours.
Catering & Hawaiian Food Tours
We cater small company lunches (from about 10 people) and larger family gatherings (100+). Minimum 48 hours’ notice; one week preferred for parties over 40. Full pans of kalua pig, laulau, lu‘au dishes, lomi salmon, and more are available. We also now offer authentic Hawaiian food tours — books through our website.
How to Order: Dine-In, Takeout, Online & Catering
- Choose your meal — browse the menu online or in person. First-timers: try a combo plate. Regulars: order by name.
- Place your order — order online for pickup (ToastTab), call ahead, walk up to the counter, or submit a catering inquiry.
- Pickup or delivery — dine-in or takeout is ready quickly. Catering includes delivery options across Oahu.
- Enjoy real Hawaii — eat your poi fresh. Refrigerate leftovers and add a splash of water to restore texture if needed.
Online ordering is available for the original valley location (orders accepted during operating hours). The mall location has its own online option as well.
What Locals and Visitors Say
Common themes from real feedback: the poi is the freshest many have found anywhere in Hawaii; the kalua pig and laulau taste like home cooking rather than resort food; catering for weddings and large gatherings is reliable and memorable.
Your Questions About Poi and Hawaiian Food — Answered
What is poi and what does fresh poi taste like?
Poi is steamed and pounded (or milled) taro root mixed with water to a smooth consistency. Fresh poi is mild, slightly sweet, and earthy with a creamy texture. Sour or fermented flavor means it is old. Fresh poi is clean and pleasant even for first-timers.
Is poi gluten-free?
Yes. Poi is made only from taro and water. Many of our dishes — poi, kalua pig, laulau, haupia — are naturally gluten-free.
Why is your poi different from grocery-store poi?
We prepare it fresh daily. Grocery-store versions are often processed earlier, packaged, and may contain preservatives. Freshness changes everything — texture, flavor, and nutritional quality.
What should a first-timer order?
A combo plate with kalua pig or laulau, lomi salmon, haupia, and one-finger poi. Mix the poi with the meat. Staff are happy to guide you.
Do you cater?
Yes — for weddings, graduations, corporate events, baby lūʻau, and family gatherings on Oahu. Contact us with date and guest count.
Can I buy poi to take home or ship?
Yes for takeout at the original location. Poi is best within a few days and must be refrigerated. We do not ship to the mainland because quality declines too quickly.
Do you have vegetarian or vegan options?
Ho‘io salad (fern salad) can be made without the dried shrimp. Many dishes contain coconut milk or taro leaves; ask staff for guidance.
Taste Real Hawaii — Order Fresh Poi or Visit Us Today
Hand-prepared poi made this morning. Recipes carried forward by the same family that revived the 1905 factory. Kalua pig, laulau, squid lu‘au, kulolo, and the Sweet Lady of Waiahole — this is Hawaiian food the way it is meant to taste: fresh, authentic, and made with aloha.
Order online for pickup, stop by the original location in Waiahole Valley or the Windward Mall food court, book a food tour, or plan catering for your next gathering. Come hungry, leave nourished — in body and in spirit.
Order Online | View Full Menu | Contact Us for Catering | Book a Hawaiian Food Tour
Phone: (808) 239-2222
Original: 48-140 Kamehameha Hwy, Kāneʻohe
Windward Mall: 46-056 Kamehameha Hwy, Kāneʻohe
Mahalo for supporting local Hawaiian food and the farmers who grow the kalo.
