This is the place for authentic Hawaiian food! We got the D menu with rice and added poi just to try. I’m not a big fan of poi, but everything else was delicious! The short ribs were incredible, and my personal favorite was the squid luau. It’s a small but popular restaurant so you may have to wait for a bit, but I thought the food was completely worth the wait!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lomi Lomi Salmon, Pig, Ribs
Roman Prezelj
Very nice waiter, good and tasty havaian food. Highly recommended.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kevin Zhou
Helena's is one of my must haves whenever I visit Honolulu. The short ribs are top tier.
Only had positive experiences at Helena’s previously, but take out order was rushed and attempted upsell .. Our food came out fast, but we we shorted food - even after a 20% tip for takeout.They tried to charge my wife another couple dollars for a scoop of rice we already paid for.Terrible experienceWill probably never go back.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 1
Sherry Kim
Overhyped. Overpriced. Got Pipikaula shortribs since they are known for it. Large portion is very small, you only get 8-10 pieces with mostly bone part maybe we got a couple decent part with actually meat attached. Got it to go so i cannot comment on service n atmosphere.
Food: 1
Tony Chan
Traditional Hawaiian cooking. Go early for the freshly made Lau Lau.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
C F
Came here for the first time in March 2024. I do not regret coming! I ordered Menu B. The ribs, bowl of shredded pork, rice, and mac salad as well- all 10/10. The food was seasoned well, the service was very genuine and hospitable. The ladies (and men) who work here are SO KIND! They have conversations with you as if you're family and also remember orders from regulars too, that is detail.My friends stay on the island, so I am excited to return and bring my family here. Thank you all for your kindness and hard work in satisfying our tastebuds with homemade Hawai'ian food and hospitality.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Joplan Crala
Absolutely loved going to such a great hole in the wall restaurant. I absolutely loved being able to try some more traditional Hawaiian food. An absolute must visit for any foodie going to Honolulu. Parking is a bit tough though so I would recommend dating a Uber/Lyft or expect to circle the block.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Poke
Amber Rainbow
First off arriving, parking is almost impossible. They have a very small front parking area. Once seated we were served water in paper cups which just seems cheap, which is weird because realistically plastic or glass cups would be cheaper in the long run and be much nicer. Overall the atmosphere gave run down cafeteria vibes. The food was the worst we’ve tried while visiting Hawaii. The short ribs were tough Kalua pork was salty but yet unflavorful, luau chicken had maybe 2 small pieces of chicken in it and looked like baby poop (and tasted like it too), beef stew tasted like cheap canned tomato soup with carrot chunks and tough pieces of fatty beef, and the Mac salad was actually the only decent part of the meal. Overall the serving sizes were extremely small and we were still very hungry after our meal but had already spent over $50. The best thing was the Haupia pudding dessert, but you can literally get that anywhere in Hawaii. Please do not waste your time or money here it’s a major tourist trap! Labeled “authentic”…but authentic does not mean it’s good.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Haupia 椰汁糕
Kenneth Abad
Authentic local hawaiian cuisine and amazing service. Was our first stop for our week long stay in Hawaii and still one of the most memorable and delicious meals this trip. Hope to visit again soon!
Super tasty Hawaiian food! Great service too. In a less attractive area but the inside is very clean and welcoming. Loved the Haupia, pork and short ribs
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Bridget BG
First meal in Hawaii came right after we landed and i was BLOWN AWAY!! we got menu C with an addition of Fried Butterfish Collar and OH MY GOD you cannot miss it!All of the dishes were so amazing. Kalua pork, lomi salmon, short ribs - all amazing. The butterfish collar is out of this world good!! A must visit in Oahu!
Authentic Hawaiian food that is absolutely delicious! We had the short ribs and kalua pork, with rice and macaroni salad.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Kahlua Pork, Ribs
Reggie Reg
TAKE YOUR FOOD TOGO AND BOUNCE!!! Food was excellent but the service sucks. As a server myself I seen our server roll her eyes when we sat down. She was rude asking us if we going to pay separately before we even ordered. Assuming we were cheapskates I get it. The busser was really respectful and I think he deserves to be a server instead. Took care of the bill early and server realize she got a cool tip and started being nice towards us. But Damn! I never got the Aloha spirit from the servers in this restaurant. We supported this restaurant everytime we go to Hawaii and this was a weird experience because folks always treated us great. I guess they got more money now and they snobby servers must've been there for so long, that they think there too cool to care of they own kind. They seemed more accommodating towards the white folks coming in. Servers think they in a fine dine restaurant and forgot they just a hole in the wall restaurant that I use to love. I'm guessing the servers must be the related to the owners, because if not they should've fired them a long time ago. it's weird and baffling to get terrible sevice by your own kind in Hawaii where most peoples are genuinely nice and respectful. Mind boggling? Yall need to get rid of those sellout servers and get some new genuinely nicer peoples to keep the Aloha spirit because yall losing it.Parking: Parking is terribly tiny and ground is lumpy as hell
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Fried Butterfish Collar, Ribs
Ye Chan Park
Go somewhere elseThe expensive ribs are delicious, but why?After taking a bite of poi, I almost broke the poi bowl with my fist.Kahlua Pig clear soybean paste flavorMacaroni is so-soI'd rather not give you coconut pudding for dessert...Waste of money
This is the place for authentic Hawaiian food! We got the D menu with rice and added poi just to try. I’m not a big fan of poi, but everything else was delicious! The short ribs were incredible, and my personal favorite was the squid luau. It’s a small but popular restaurant so you may have to wait for a bit, but I thought the food was completely worth the wait!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lomi Lomi Salmon, Pig, Ribs
Very nice waiter, good and tasty havaian food. Highly recommended.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Helena's is one of my must haves whenever I visit Honolulu. The short ribs are top tier.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Poke, Laulau, Kalua Pig & Cabbage, Ribs
Only had positive experiences at Helena’s previously, but take out order was rushed and attempted upsell .. Our food came out fast, but we we shorted food - even after a 20% tip for takeout.They tried to charge my wife another couple dollars for a scoop of rice we already paid for.Terrible experienceWill probably never go back.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 1
Overhyped. Overpriced. Got Pipikaula shortribs since they are known for it. Large portion is very small, you only get 8-10 pieces with mostly bone part maybe we got a couple decent part with actually meat attached. Got it to go so i cannot comment on service n atmosphere.
Food: 1
Traditional Hawaiian cooking. Go early for the freshly made Lau Lau.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Came here for the first time in March 2024. I do not regret coming! I ordered Menu B. The ribs, bowl of shredded pork, rice, and mac salad as well- all 10/10. The food was seasoned well, the service was very genuine and hospitable. The ladies (and men) who work here are SO KIND! They have conversations with you as if you're family and also remember orders from regulars too, that is detail.My friends stay on the island, so I am excited to return and bring my family here. Thank you all for your kindness and hard work in satisfying our tastebuds with homemade Hawai'ian food and hospitality.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Absolutely loved going to such a great hole in the wall restaurant. I absolutely loved being able to try some more traditional Hawaiian food. An absolute must visit for any foodie going to Honolulu. Parking is a bit tough though so I would recommend dating a Uber/Lyft or expect to circle the block.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Poke
First off arriving, parking is almost impossible. They have a very small front parking area. Once seated we were served water in paper cups which just seems cheap, which is weird because realistically plastic or glass cups would be cheaper in the long run and be much nicer. Overall the atmosphere gave run down cafeteria vibes. The food was the worst we’ve tried while visiting Hawaii. The short ribs were tough Kalua pork was salty but yet unflavorful, luau chicken had maybe 2 small pieces of chicken in it and looked like baby poop (and tasted like it too), beef stew tasted like cheap canned tomato soup with carrot chunks and tough pieces of fatty beef, and the Mac salad was actually the only decent part of the meal. Overall the serving sizes were extremely small and we were still very hungry after our meal but had already spent over $50. The best thing was the Haupia pudding dessert, but you can literally get that anywhere in Hawaii. Please do not waste your time or money here it’s a major tourist trap! Labeled “authentic”…but authentic does not mean it’s good.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Haupia 椰汁糕
Authentic local hawaiian cuisine and amazing service. Was our first stop for our week long stay in Hawaii and still one of the most memorable and delicious meals this trip. Hope to visit again soon!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Poi, Poke, Pig, Ribs
Restaurantji Recommends
Super tasty Hawaiian food! Great service too. In a less attractive area but the inside is very clean and welcoming. Loved the Haupia, pork and short ribs
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
First meal in Hawaii came right after we landed and i was BLOWN AWAY!! we got menu C with an addition of Fried Butterfish Collar and OH MY GOD you cannot miss it!All of the dishes were so amazing. Kalua pork, lomi salmon, short ribs - all amazing. The butterfish collar is out of this world good!! A must visit in Oahu!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fried Butterfish Collar, Pig, Ribs
Authentic Hawaiian food that is absolutely delicious! We had the short ribs and kalua pork, with rice and macaroni salad.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Kahlua Pork, Ribs
TAKE YOUR FOOD TOGO AND BOUNCE!!! Food was excellent but the service sucks. As a server myself I seen our server roll her eyes when we sat down. She was rude asking us if we going to pay separately before we even ordered. Assuming we were cheapskates I get it. The busser was really respectful and I think he deserves to be a server instead. Took care of the bill early and server realize she got a cool tip and started being nice towards us. But Damn! I never got the Aloha spirit from the servers in this restaurant. We supported this restaurant everytime we go to Hawaii and this was a weird experience because folks always treated us great. I guess they got more money now and they snobby servers must've been there for so long, that they think there too cool to care of they own kind. They seemed more accommodating towards the white folks coming in. Servers think they in a fine dine restaurant and forgot they just a hole in the wall restaurant that I use to love. I'm guessing the servers must be the related to the owners, because if not they should've fired them a long time ago. it's weird and baffling to get terrible sevice by your own kind in Hawaii where most peoples are genuinely nice and respectful. Mind boggling? Yall need to get rid of those sellout servers and get some new genuinely nicer peoples to keep the Aloha spirit because yall losing it.Parking: Parking is terribly tiny and ground is lumpy as hell
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Fried Butterfish Collar, Ribs
Go somewhere elseThe expensive ribs are delicious, but why?After taking a bite of poi, I almost broke the poi bowl with my fist.Kahlua Pig clear soybean paste flavorMacaroni is so-soI'd rather not give you coconut pudding for dessert...Waste of money