Helena's

Royal Hawaiian Diamond Head Snorkeling Sailboat Ride Helena's
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Ever since Doug and Bonnie and Bill had had their first discussion regarding what kind of restaurants they would want to visit on this trip, it had been obvious that there was going to be some mild disagreement.  Cuz when Bill travels he likes to eat like the natives eat while Doug and Bonnie are more the steak and potatoes type.

So when Bill searched the internet for the best Hawaiian food in Honolulu and turned up a recommendation for Helena's, Doug and Bonnie weren't so sure.  And when Bill twisted their arms and talked them into stopping by here one day for lunch, they took one look and practically fainted.  Sorta.  Anyway, luckily, it was a Monday and this place is open only Tuesdays through Fridays, so Doug and Bonnie were off the hook.  And eventually it became obvious that if Bill were ever going to eat here, he'd have to ditch his companions, so that's just what he did.  As soon as he'd dropped off Doug and Bonnie at the airport for their trip home, Bill headed straight for Helena's.  He'd been starving himself all day....

 

There was a line out front, but somehow...maybe it was the innocent look on his face...Bill found himself inside sitting with a nice elderly local lady, waiting for a table.

 

When he wasn't chatting with the elderly lady, Bill took some pictures from his seat.  Say...look at those snazzy T-shirts.  Wouldn't Bill look good in one of those?

 

Does this place look authentic or what?

 

Bill picked up a menu and asked the elderly lady for some recommendations.

 

"Oh," she said, "you have to try the Kalua Pig and don't miss the short ribs."  That didn't sound bad to Bill.

 

So here's what he ended up with.  Over on the left is the same rubbery coconut dessert glop that he discarded at the luau.  That was a miss, but everything else was a hit.  Note that also, on the same plate with the dessert, are some slices of raw onion.  The waitress explained to Bill that he was supposed to dip the onion slices in the little bowl of brown salt and have that with bites of pork.  Well, OK, when in Hawaii, do as the Hawaiians do.  Next, in the green school cafeteria bowl is the kalua pork.  Bill has learned that "Kālua" is a traditional Hawaiian cooking method that utilizes an imu, a type of underground oven. The word kālua literally means "to cook in an underground oven," but the waitress explained to Bill that at Helena's they do it on the stove.  Tasted mighty good though.  Next is some ahi ahi fish and then there's a bowl of spare ribs.  And the big plate of course is filled with white rice.  Except for the coconut glop, Bill pronounced it all outstanding.

 

Of course it was.  I mean, this place has won awards!

 

Bill was satisfied that Helena's was the final highlight of an exceptionally excellent vacation.  After pigging out on Helena's pigmeat, he just cooled his heels back at the Royal Hawaiian until about 8:00 pm when it was time to head for the airport and a redeye flight home.  It turns out that flying to Hawaii from the East Coast is fine, but going the other way is torture, even in first class.  Still, it was a great trip, and doesn't Bill look mighty fine in his Helena's T-shirt back home in DC?  Thanks, Doug and Bonnie! 

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