When you're arranging food for a group, choosing the dishes is just one part of placing a catering order. You also need to know how the food is sold, when to order, what payment is required, and which arrangements need to be confirmed ahead of time.

At Waiāhole Poi Factory, we offer traditional Hawaiian food catering for small company lunches of 10 people and family gatherings with more than 100 guests.

Our catering menu features familiar Hawaiian favorites, including Kalua Pig, Laulau, Chicken Long Rice, Beef Luau, Squid Luau, and poi. Rather than offering a fixed selection of catering packages, we list individual dishes with their available serving quantities.

If you're considering an order with us, here's what you should know before getting in touch.

1. Our Catering Menu Is Different From Our Regular Plate Menu

If you've visited our restaurant, you may be familiar with our Kanaka Nui, Combo Plate, or Single Plate.

These options are designed for individual meals. Our catering menu works differently.

Most of our catering entrees are sold in small, medium, and large pans. Other foods, including Laulau, poi, Kulolo, and Haupia, are available in individual quantities or by weight.

That means you can select specific dishes instead of choosing a preset combination.

For example, if your family wants Kalua Pig and Chicken Long Rice as the main dishes, you can order those separately and add whichever sides you'd like.

Our full catering menu lists the available items, portions, and published prices.

2. Different Catering Dishes Have Different Serving Counts

One detail worth checking before ordering is how many portions are listed for each dish.

Not all of our catering pans serve the same number of people.

Here's a comparison using our published catering quantities:

Our listed servings generally represent portions of approximately 3 to 4 ounces, depending on the dish.

These are portions of individual menu items, not complete meals. A medium pan of Kalua Pig listed at 30 servings does not automatically mean it will provide a full lunch for 30 guests.

When discussing your order with us, it's helpful to explain whether the food will be the main meal or part of a larger spread.

3. Some Hawaiian Catering Items Are Ordered Individually

Not everything on our catering menu comes in a pan.

For certain dishes, you can order individual pieces or specific quantities.

Laulau

Our Laulau is priced per piece, rather than by the pan.

It contains pork and a touch of butterfish wrapped and steamed in taro leaves.

Ordering by the piece makes it easier to decide exactly how many you'd like to include in your catering selection.

Poi

For catering, we offer Fresh Milled Poi in 4-ounce cups or by the pound.

If you've visited our original Waiāhole location for hand-pounded poi, it's important to know that this is a separate offering.

We make hand-pounded poi using the traditional board and stone on Wednesdays and Sundays at Waiāhole Valley. Availability depends on production conditions, and we recommend calling ahead to confirm.

Our regular catering menu lists Fresh Milled Poi, not hand-pounded poi.

Hawaiian Desserts

Our catering menu also offers two traditional desserts:

• Kulolo, available as 2-ounce pieces or by the pound.
• Haupia, available by the piece.

Our Kulolo is made with taro root, coconut milk, and sugar, then steamed for 24 hours.

These separately priced desserts allow you to add a sweet finish to your catering order without selecting a predetermined dessert package.

4. We Require Advance Notice for Catering Orders

One of the most important details to check is your event date.

Our catering menu has two advance-notice requirements:

These are minimum ordering requirements, so it's helpful to contact us once you have your event details.

For larger gatherings, you'll want to allow enough time to review the available dishes and discuss quantities before confirming your order.

5. Know the Deposit and Payment Requirements

Before placing your catering order, it's also important to understand the payment terms.

Our published catering requirements include:

• 50% deposit: Due upon confirmation of your order.
• Final payment: Required in full one week before the event.
• Gratuity: A 15% gratuity applies to catering services.
• Pricing: All published catering prices are subject to change.

For reference, our published catering menu as of October 9, 2026 lists small pans of Kalua Pig at $66.20, medium pans at $116.10, and large pans at $226.30.

Those are individual food prices rather than all-inclusive catering package prices.

If you're working within a specific budget, reviewing individual menu prices before contacting us can help you decide which dishes and quantities to discuss.

You can find our current published pricing on our catering page.

6. Confirm Pickup, Delivery, and Serving Arrangements

Food selection and payment are important, but don't overlook how you'll receive the order.

Our published catering menu does not specify standard delivery areas, setup services, serving staff, or disposable serving supplies.

Because these arrangements may matter for your gathering, please contact us to ask what options are available.

Before confirming your order, make sure you understand how the food will be received and what you'll need to provide at your event.

If you're planning to serve the food buffet-style, you may also want to discuss whether you need serving utensils, equipment to keep food at appropriate temperatures, or other supplies.

Knowing these details in advance can help you prepare without making assumptions about what's included.

7. Have These Details Ready When You Contact Us

You don't need to have every part of your menu decided before calling. However, a little preparation can make the conversation more productive.

Here's a useful checklist.

Catering inquiry checklist

• Event date and expected guest count

• Dishes you're interested in ordering

• Whether you're serving a full meal or adding to other food

• Questions about portion quantities

• Any ingredient or dietary concerns

• Pickup or delivery questions

• Payment and order-confirmation questions

If someone in your group has a food allergy or dietary restriction, please ask us about the ingredients before ordering. Some of our dishes contain fish, seafood, or soy, and ingredient questions should be addressed directly.

8. How to Contact Us About Catering

Our family has long been connected to food traditions in Waiāhole Valley. Today, we continue sharing traditional Hawaiian cuisine through our restaurant and catering offerings.

Whether you're ordering a few favorite dishes for a company lunch or preparing food for a larger family gathering, we want you to have the information you need to plan your order.

You can reach us through the following channels:

Phone: (808) 239-2222

Email: waiaholepoi@gmail.com

Website: Waiāhole Poi Factory Catering

Take a look at the menu, note your expected guest count, and contact us with any questions about quantities or ordering arrangements.

Mahalo for considering our food for your gathering.

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