breakfast on Oahu Archives

Mahina & Sun’s is Chef Ed Kenney’s casual bistro in Waikiki. Joining his other award-winning restaurants in Kaimuki (Town, Mud Hen Water, Kaimuki Superette), Mahina and Sun’s is on the ground floor of the hip Surfjack Hotel and Swim Club on Lewers Street. Chef Kenney is a strong addition to the world of Hawaii regional cuisine.

It’s no secret that I love breakfast and eating at the beach is one of my favorite things! Make that breakfast in Waikiki, and I’m in my happy place! We had a car, so we drove to the hotel and used valet parking. There is metered street parking in the neighborhood, but get there early!

The Surfjack Hotel is a renovated hotel with a central pool courtyard. There are modern colors and art work everywhere you look. I especially liked the surfboard fin wall hanging behind the check in desk.

The restaurant is open daily from 6:30 am to 10 pm and reservations are available. Breakfast is available from 6:30 am to 11:30 am. The décor is modern and relaxing. I just love the custom wallpaper with shakas (Hawaiian symbol for hang loose). Mahina means moon in Hawaiian, so the restaurant name reminds us of the multiple cultures of Hawaii.

I started off with papaya, which came with a Filipino citrus fruit, calamansi. I had been away from Hawaii for a while, so my first bite made me cry! So delicious!

The menu is reflective of Hawaiian local flavor with locally sourced foods and international flair. Chef Kenney has made a serious commitment to ocean-friendly seafood sourcing, following the Monterey Aquarium’s Seafood Watch Program.

The Surfjack Breakfast is like a plate lunch for breakfast. We got eggs, Portuguese sausage, rice, macaroni salad, and kim chee. The Gardener was afraid of the kim chee, but he liked this version made in-house.

The chilaquiles were amazing with just the right amount of chorizo. Next time I’d like to try the ulu (breadfruit) pancake. And I need to return for an evening meal and the live music!