Oahu Reseach: Dining plans

We're going to be on Oahu for 9 days (8 nights), which comes out to 23 meals (which is how I process time). One interesting thing about visiting Hawaii, I have found, is that I don't really wind up eating 3 meals per day on a schedule. Things are so much more chill on island time. What will a preschooler and a grampa think of that? I'm not sure it will jive with the kid's system; we've trained him carefully on consistency and that helps with moods and sleep. Expectation-setting for a small kid is crucial! But he's 5 now, and I think he's learned how to be more flexible. Changing his schedule and expectations should be easier when it comes along with changing the environment. He gets to learn and trust that he will get food and he will get rest; it just looks different. And maybe he'll develop his friend, T's, habit of sleeping whenever he wants.

From the previously-posted map of Oahu, you'll see we have been recommended a lot of dining options. Of course we have. There are some places we have to make reservations, though, so I've made those (with the flexibility of cancelling if needed). 

Reservations made: 

    Aulani:

    There are 2 main restaurants and several small cafes, diners, lounges throughout the resort. Reservations are recommended at the 2 restaurants and only available beginning 30 days prior to the reservation date.

    'Ama'ama is the fancier of the two and currently, unfortunately, only offering dinner.

    Makahiki is listed as a buffet and also mentions having a preset 3-course meal. To make those terms jive in my mind, I'm just imagining a buffet where there's only 1 appetizer, 1 entree, and 1 dessert, but you can scoop as much as you want onto your plate. That can't be right. I also think they may have just accidentally left the word "buffet" on the webpage. A lot seems to have changed from Covid (like 'Ama'ama only offering dinner, and the family spa treatment was removed). We have reservations for dinner the night we check-in, as well as for the "Character Breakfast" on our second-to-last morning. We were told by a fellow parent that this was a not-to-miss experience, no matter how silly it sounds. Fun fact: The Disney characters you see at Aulani are not "working". They're on vacation, too! That's why they're all in their island duds.

        Ka Wa'a, the lu'au offered at Aolani: A lu'au is a must whenever I visit Hawaii and this one will be extra special because we're going on Mike's birthday! I checked with others before deciding whether or not to do the Aolani lu'au because I didn't want it to be too Disney-ish. I already was concerned that the Disney-ish saturation at Aolani could get Grampa's eyes rolling (and I'm dragging him to a character breakfast for goodness sake!), but from all I've learned, it seems that this is a very legitimate culturally respectable lu'au. As a matter of fact, everything implies that the Disney-ness is fully downplayed everywhere and the Imagineers worked their butts off to be as respectful of and connected to the cultural integrity of the locals as possible. I can't wait! I booked this well in advance (because it is separate from Aolani's management and not subject to the 30-day prior rule) and got Preferred Seating.

    Non-Aulani:

    Afternoon Tea at the Veranda at the Moana Surfrider. Donna recommended this and it sounds like a perfect way to get into the spirit of island time. We'll be nibbling our scones and sipping our POG tea the day after we arrive.

    Ginza Bairin Tonkatsu and Yoshoku: I was only able to get a table in the Yoshoku room. It sounds really interesting since it offers an opportunity to explore the American GI influence on Japanese culture. "We offers a variety of exciting plates for those who love the Western-influenced dishes like Omirice and Original Hamburger steak, Napolitan spaghettis, Beef stew, Macaroni gratin and so on. that emerged during Japan’s Meiji Restoration Period, illustrating a truly fascinating history in every bite." If there isn't the chance to try their famous tonkatsu, we can always grab one from the to-go window one day for lunch or while we're wandering.

    Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman "is a place where foodies, beer lovers, and families escape the stresses of their day-to-day lives by enjoying an ice-cold beer and a great meal while surrounded by people who consider them honored guests and friends." This is currently our only planned escape from Aulani while staying there.

No Reservations: (but hope we get there!)

• Cat says we must go to Helena's and order the pipikaula.
• Brian and Angela want us to check out Aloha Table for locomoco and mochiko fried chicken.
• Giovanni's Shrimp Truck seems too famous to miss.
• Musubi and Bento Iyasume look easy to fit in and both Cherry and Donna had it high on their list.
• There are also a bunch of ramen and udon places we should check out. The kid loves noodles!