Honokowai Okazuya & Deli — Restaurant in Maui

Majorly disappointed in the way I was treated here.

My wife found this place while we were traveling and it seemed right up our alley. The fish options were great, and we like buying at local restaurants and farmers markets when we travel. We stopped in for lunch and as I was getting ready to pay she said they are cash only. I should figured that by the sketchy ATM machine they have in the corner, but I figured we should have enough cash to cover it. I came up 95 cents short. I was scrambling for any change in the rental, no dice, and no other options provided by the cashier than using that ATM machine. By this point I feel committed so I run my card in the atm and pay the extra $5 to get a little bit of cash, but I hate using ATM machines in general, and make it a personal choice to avoid sketchy privately owned machines especially. So even though I’m feeling annoyed I had to do that, I can’t blame the restaurant if they aren’t set up to take card payments.

So now I’m waiting inside for my food, and the next lady orders and comes up 60 cents short, and I was thinking of fronting her a buck. I had a few extra now but before I could offer the teller says ‘no worries I’ll get it next time from you’. I was stunned. I was 95 cents short, not much different, where was that option for me? Now it was clear the lady was local. It sounded like she comes in somewhat regularly, so I was feeling more annoyed but I could understand if she comes in more regularly than someone like me who is just passing through. But while I’m still waiting for my food the next lady comes in. Orders a bunch of food, and pulls her card out. The cashier says ‘cash only’, but once this customer looks defeated and realizes the dilemma she is in, the cashier says “we’re usually cash only but I can run your card this one time”. And pulls out a card machine. By this point I am stunned and ticked off. Then she hands me my food with no explanation, no discussion to be had. I took my food and left, but was very disappointed that I was just expected to look in my car for change and ultimately figure out how to make up a 95 cent difference on my own, but these two other customers were given a totally different treatment mere seconds after me.

Eventually I did try the food I ordered. The Mac salad was great. The grilled mahi was very good. The cod was just fine. But I don’t think I would go back or recommend it if someone asked. It was too frustrating of...

This place is a hidden gem in every sense—blink and you might miss it tucked in a little strip mall across from the beach. But trust me, Honokowai Okazuya & Deli is the kind of spot you’ll end up coming back to… maybe more than once on your trip. (I sure did.)

First time I went, I grabbed the chicken katsu, and it was exactly what I was hoping for—crispy, golden breading, juicy chicken inside, and a portion big enough to leave me full and still have leftovers for later. Classic plate lunch done right.

But the real surprise? The loco moco. I wasn’t planning on it, but the smell coming from someone else’s takeout order convinced me. One bite in—fluffy rice, a tender beef patty, egg with a perfect runny yolk, and that rich brown gravy—and I knew I made the right call. It’s stick-to-your-ribs, nap-after kind of good.

Everything here feels homemade, generous, and unpretentious. Prices are great, portions are huge, and the food just tastes like someone’s grandma made it with love (and a little attitude).

Heads up: it’s cash only, and it’s takeout-style with just a few outdoor seats, but honestly? Grab your food and walk it down to the beach. That’s the move.

Highly recommend. Just...

Man oh man, this trip to Okazuya let me down so much! Hubby and I have been eating here for 10 plus years and it’s our little “gem” for real Hawaiian food that’s fast and fresh. This trip was horrible all the way around from the food to the service, and the inside is dirty and run down.

Cracking a smile would be too much for the girls that take your order…zero Aloha spirit. Spent over $50 on two meals and one side and still had to pay 75 cents for some teriyaki sauce! Sad!

Fish was over cooked, steak patty was charred and the Mac salad has lost its magical wonderful taste that kept us coming back for more and more. It hurts me to say this but we dined around the corner at a chained place and got much better food, Way better service and it was half the price!

Okazuya you need to step it up bad! Oh and maybe take your phone call with the health inspector in the back and not in front of paying...