Poi Donuts!

Kalihi might not be at the top of your list as far as tourist destinations go, but if there is one reason to make a stop there, then it is Kamehameha Bakery! Duh.

The hole-in-the-wall has been a local establishment for decades, where countless generations of kids and adults strolled through at one time or another. And as wonderful as glazed donuts, danishes and fruit-filled turnovers may sound, the bakery is really all about them poi donuts.

Yes, these exist.

The little Kalihi bakery created the mouth-watering treats many, many years ago and has since learned that in order to meet the high demands for pastries, they must fire up the oven in the wee hours of the morning. For customers, this means getting there early or really late. The bakery opens at 2 a.m. on weekdays and 3 a.m. on weekends. So it is likely the for Kamehameha Bakery to sell out by mid-morning (7:30 to 8:30 a.m.).

Back to those poi donuts, though. Hands down, the best creation known to all humans. Better than any Krispy Kreme donut out there, and I can’t believe it took me so long to find out about this place. I literally went to school five minutes from here. The poi donuts can best be described as fluffy with a sugary glaze crust. A single bite into its decadence reveals its fluffy bright purple interior.

Best of all, they still cost just 80-cents a piece! Another very inviting aspect for a bakery that hasn’t changed a wink.