(Sponsored) Iconic for the Sweet Lady of Waiāhole, this centuries-old establishment holds on to tradition with hand-pounded poi
Hale ‘Aina Finalist for Best Hawaiian Food, Waiāhole Poi Factory is a destination for many. For a few, it’s a bonafide taste of home. Just past Kahalu‘u, this centuries-old establishment has seen many lives: It’s origins date back to the early 1900s as a poi factory that processed kalo from the surrounding ahupua‘a. As lo‘i began to shrink and less kalo was grown, it became an art gallery and incubator for Native Hawaiian artisans during the Hawaiian Renaissance in the 1970s. Today it remains iconic for hand-pounded poi and a dessert made with warm kūlolo and cold haupia ice cream they lovingly call the Sweet Lady of Waiāhole.
We stopped by to talk story with Liko Hoe, the poi factory’s third generation owner, and to try a few of the best bites from their classic lū‘au menu with First Hawaiian Bank’s Tricia Villamor-Ah Nee.
Check out what we get into on this episode of Best Bites, presented by First Hawaiian Bank.
