A love letter to Kaimuki

Waialae Ave

Located between UH Mānoa and Kahala, close to Diamond Head Crater, lies one of my favorite neighborhoods to visit: Kaimuki. My one-stop shop for almost everything I need.

Food?

Nana Ai Katsu: Ebi Katsu Bruger, Takoyaki Katsu, Uzumaki Shiso Katsu Roll Bento

Yes! My favorite places to eat are Nana Ai Katsu (for lunch or dinner), Moke’s Bread and Breakfast (for brunch), Noods Ramen (when I’m craving a good slurp), Higoto (when I need something on the go), and Sprout Sandwiches (when I wanna be healthy).

Favorite Eateries

• Nana Ai Katsu

  • Favorite Orders: Negi Jidori Chicken, Ebi Katsu Burger, Kasane Tonkatsu Bento

• Sprouts Sandwich Shop

  • Favorite Sandwich: The Floater

• Moke’s Bread & Breakfast

  • Favorite Orders: Loco Moke & Lilikoi Pancakes

• Noods Ramen Bar

  • Favorite Ramen: Shoyu Ramen or Curry Ramen w/5 pieces of gyoza

• Higoto Japanese Eatery

  • Favorite Bentos: Karaage Chicken or Fish Lovers

• Koko Head Cafe

  • Favorite Breakfast: Egg Handwich w/The Best Hash Browns Ever

Sprout Sandwich Shop - The Floater

Moke's Bread & Breakfast - Loco Moke

Noods Ramen Bar - Shoyu Curry Katsu Ramen

Daily Whisk Matcha: Dirty Matcha (left) & Strawberry Matcha (right)

Drinks?

Kaimuki’s got that covered too. Spots like Daily Whisk Matcha, Cow Cow, and Jewel or Juice always quench that thirst.

Favorite Spots

• Daily Whisk Matcha

  • Favorite Order: Strawberry Matcha w/Oat Milk

• CowCow’s Tea

  • Favorite Boba: Mango Sago or Mango Madness

• Jewel or Juice

  • Favorite Juice: Lychee Strawberry

• The Curb Kaimuki

  • Favorite Drink: Pandan Matcha w/Oat Milk

CowCow's Tea - Mango Sago

The Curb Kaimuki - Pandan Matcha

Shopping?

I love a good fashion find. Ten Tomorrow, with their Aloha shirt line. Goodwill, for my thrifting needs. Sugarcane Shop, for my gift-giving love language. The Public Pet, for my furry babies (Ume and Kakimochi). Island Boy, for all of my luxury needs. Small Kine Gifts for your cute knick-knack finds and gifts for loved ones. And da Shop: books + curiosities for my fiance’s book needs.

Small Kine Gifts

3424 Waialae Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816

Favorite Shopping Spots

• Small Kine Gifts

  • For all your gifting needs.

• Ten Tomorrow

  • Modern Resort wear for the women in your life. They also have Aloha Shirts for men!

• The Public Pet

  • My one-stop shop for treats, toys, leashes, and harnesses for my puppers.

• Island Boy Shop

  • Luxury lifestyle pieces.

The Public Pet

3422 Waialae Ave Suite 101, Honolulu, HI 96816

da Shop: books + curiosities

3565 Harding Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816

Our favorite Aloha Shirts from Ten Tomorrow

Ten Tomorrow

1114 11th Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816

There’s a plethora of small businesses here that I love to support—and they absolutely deserve it.

To one of my favorite neighborhoods, Kaimuki: thank you for everything you’ve done for me.

As a former UH Mānoa student, you saved me from boredom, insanity, hunger, thirst, and everything in between. You were my escape when I needed a break from studying. Heck, you’re still my escape when I need a good lunch, a caffeine fix, or a boba run.

You embody everything that “Aloha” means.

As always — Keep it Kaimuki.

Sincerely,
Markus