In 2018, Tokyo natives Yutaka and Rumi opened 22 Kailua. In 2022, they relocated to this nine-seat sushi bar, where they serve poke during the day. Book a prized reservation by text for either Tier 1 ($100), Tier 2 ($150) or Tier 3 ($200). My Tier 2 experience included melting bluefin otoro aged 10 days and brushed with oyster soy sauce; sweet shrimp nigiri with grated calamansi zest; torched saba (mackerel) nigiri with grated ginger; and a luxurious Hokkaido uni hand roll. Definitely preorder the $20 sashimi supplement, which during my visit involved king salmon, isaki (grunt), ankimo (monkfish liver), and chu toro (medium fatty bluefin tuna).

Agnes’ has been a Kailua institution since 1973. After Non deMello closed his side street bakery in 2018, local Ryan Katsuno revived the business as a food truck, focusing exclusively on malasadas. When I previously visited the bakery, deMello promised “Hawaii’s best malasadas.” I don’t know about that, but these sugar-dusted donuts (with holes) are fried to order, piping hot and very tasty.

Tim Veling gives Montreal (MTL) a phonetic shoutout at his patiocentric cafe. A bright yellow trailer parked indoors dispenses hand-rolled, honey boiled bagels with satisfying chew in flavors like everything, sourdough, salt, and either black or white sesame. Local ingredients star as toppings. PBJ combines creamy banana macnut peanut butter with Manoa honey and Manoa Chocolate cacao nibs, and strawberry jam schmear with fresh strawberries, and cacao nibs. A Sweet open-faced bagel teams tangy Big Island passion fruit jam with cream cheese. The Smoked sandwich is relatively classic, but co-stars local smoked ahi and Oahu tomatoes. Sadly, I didn’t get to try “Night Bagels” like the Würst bagel bratwürst, White pizza bagel or Toastie grilled cheese bagel.

Kailua houses 3 farmers markets, including this Thursday night party that runs from 4-7 pm in the Whole Foods parking area. Expect live music (possibly a rendition of Old Crow Medicine Show’s “Wagon Wheel), produce vendors, and a wider variety of prepared food vendors than Sunday’s KailuaTown Farmers Market. The Pig & The Lady serves noodle soups, bun bowls, and their signature pho French dip. Other top vendors included Lanikai Mochi butter mochi in flavors like lilikoi and ube; WeirDoughs for focaccia sandwiches “made by hands, destroyed by mouths”; and Youpo Noodle hand-pulled Xi’an style biang biang mian.

Sundays from 8 a.m. – 12 noon, different food vendors, and a more laid back vibe, grace Adventist Health Castle Hospital. You’ll find a higher proportion of produce stalls that sell tropical treasures like mangosteens, dragon fruit, and egg fruit. At last check, options included Ahualoa Farms Mac nuts, ‘Ai Manuahi Farms poi, Salty Wahine Hawaiian sea salts, and Wicked Hi Slush honey slush.

Kalapawai Market debuted by Lanikai in 1932 and spawned three cafes/bakeries. The Kailua Town location features food stylings from Chef Jason Iwane three meals daily. Dinner is most ambitious. They feature several seasonal salads, including a chopped salad with avocado, Big Island heart of palm, bacon, vine ripe tomato, snap peas, cornbread, Kula romaine, Nalo Farms greens, and creamy dressing. My Fish of the Day starred Walu, aka escolar, aka “oil fish,” plated with white shrimp and crab in tomato broth with onions, snap peas, and mushrooms. Spicy seafood & Andouille sausage gumbo pairs local fish, scallops and Kauai tiger prawns.

Brewmaster Steve Haumschild, Brandon Cody, Dan Frerich and Al Darling started small in 2014. At that point, Lanikai Brewing Company brewed just two beers: 808 Imperial IPA with pikake, an aromatic flower; and Pillbox Porter with both Tahitian and Hawaiian vanilla. My how they’ve grown. Their expanded tasting room now serves wood-fired pizza, and pours 14 beers on-tap, some quite experimental. Huli Huli stars kiawe-smoked pineapple and Tuk Tuk Thai Red uses chile, ginger, coconut, and lemongrass.