Ka 'Ikena Laua'e Restaurant
4303 Diamond Head Rd FD, Honolulu HI 96816
$$
International
Attn: Our OHELO Building is being renovated so we have relocated to the 220 Grille space located on the 2nd floor of OHIA building.
Ka`Ikena Laua`e is a learning laboratory operated by Culinary students under the direction of Chef and Dining room Instructors.
The two sessions offered each semester are open to the public and reservations are required. Please understand that daily reservations are limited & based on our class sizes. Thank you for your understanding.
Reservations
Booking Notes:
As reservations are limited per day we may not be able to increase your party size after the booking is created. While we try to accommodate all requests; we cannot guarantee them. For parties of 6 or more please call our reservation line at 808-734-9499. Multiple bookings for a single party will not be combined to one table. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding. When searching for reservations if no times appear we are either closed or sold out.
Business Info
- Address: 4303 Diamond Head Rd FD, Honolulu HI 96816
- Cross Street: 2nd Floor of OHIA Building (220 Grille space)
- Location: Honolulu
- Cuisine: Asian | European | International | Mediterranean | Pacific Rim |
- Cost: | Inexpensive
- Category: Upscale Casual
- Star Rating:
- Reservations: Required
- Dress Code: Business Casual
- Meals Served: Lunch | Dinner |
- Parking: Public Lot |
- Payment Options: VISA | MasterCard | Discover | JCB | Cash | Debit |
- Corkage Fee: 0.00 | Alcohol limit:1-750mL wine or 6pk beer/couple
- Website: https://go.hawaii.edu/yAf
- Phone: 808-734-9499
- Features: BYOB,
- Occasion: Romantic Dining, Business Dining, Special Occasion,
Photos
Business Hours
Reservations Available
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Closed
- Saturday
- Closed
- Sunday
- Closed
F.A.Q.s
Frequently Asked Questions- When are you open during the year?
- As this is a learning laboratory for our Culinary Arts Program, we have two (2) service modules within the SPRING (January- May) semester and in the FALL (August- December) semester and are open for about a month for each service module.
- When are you open during the week?
- Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays. Please check our website for specific service dates and times.
- When are your seating times?
- Lunch: 10:30am-11:15am (every 15 min) Dinner: 5:30 pm, 5:45 pm and 6 pm
- Can I increase my party size?
- Reservations are limited and contingent on the size of our classes so we may NOT be able to accommodate increases in your current reservation.
- Do you offer vegetarian, vegan or gluten free options?
- While some of our menu items may be able to be converted by omitting certain items it is NOT guaranteed that we will have an option during the current session. Please check our website for current menu items.
- What does it mean if there are no times coming up when I try to make a reservation?
- As we are a learning laboratory and have limited service dates, it either means we are not open on the day you are requesting or we are sold out for that day.
- Do you have a waitlist if a day sells out?
- Unfortunately, we do not have a waitlist.
Customer Reviews & Ratings
4.8 out of 5 stars based on 1114 votes
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 7/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 10/10
May 04, 2026
Elizabeth A.
Service - Hazel, our server, was great. Very friendly.
Food - Unfortunately, the entree that I wanted was sold out, so I was disappointed. Entree was lukewarm. But I still enjoyed it.
Missed the dessert cart. I think it adds to the ambience.
Value - To be able to experience fine dining at that price is great.
Hopefully the next module I will be able to get an earlier date. Logged on as soon as reservations opened and was only able to get the last day and last reservation.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 7/10
- Ambience: 7/10
- Value: 10/10
May 03, 2026
Marjorie A.
The service was very friendly and efficient. All the dishes were excellent except for the fish & chips; the fries were very undercooked, and the fish was over cooked. The lilikoi creme brulee was outstanding. Thank you for offering this dining experience to the public!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 30, 2026
Valarie K.
Impressed with the students in the KCC Culinary Arts Dept. The servers were very pleasant and worked hard to provide quality service. The food was well prepared and presented. The four of us were quite pleased with our appetizer and entree selections. The desserts presented by the pastry students was delightful. The 9 rating for food was to indicate that the duck that I had was a little too seasoned for my taste. We look forward to returning in the future to support the program and enjoy exceptional dining.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 30, 2026
Judie T.
Great place. Great views. Great service. Greatvdessert choices. Meat just over cooked. Will be back!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 8/10
- Ambience: 6/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 23, 2026
Sharon P.
A fantastic meal, server was awesome and food absolutely great!! Thanks to everyone involved!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 17, 2026
Irene A.
Delicious food and wonderful staff!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 16, 2026
Kanani K.
Food and service were great as always. Disappointed that there weren’t any of the delicious baked goods available for purchase, but that’s ok. I do miss the old dining room. This current dining area seems to have a small issue with flies getting into the room.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 11, 2026
Marjorie K.
Enjoyed the fine dining experience combined with impressive food presentation/taste. Exceeds our expectations. Will definitely continue to support your program....the culinary school/staff certainly deserve a recognition.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 6/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 13, 2026
Jonathan G.
treated like honored guest. food visually beautiful and quality wonderful. saltbutter in small packs on table is a negative. wonderful experience. have had multiple meals at at ny cia restaurants. kcc far superior.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 07, 2026
Betty M.
Looking forward to a return visit. I was hoping to add a guest. When I called, I was told it was full. Upon looking, they could have switched tables with guests coming later. I understand.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 04, 2026
merry G.
I love Ka Ikena...
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 10/10
Dec 07, 2025
Carrie G.
You need a better reservation system. It should display available dates on the calendar and grey out unavailable dates. I had to do so much clicking to make a reservation and it’s annoying that the back button wipes all the info out and I had to keep filling in the number of people and time to look for.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Dec 06, 2025
Greg S.
Everything was perfect except the angel hair pasta daily special with shrimp (overcooked and mushy pasta). I don't believe this was 'cooked to order' and instead was boiled with multiple orders at the same time.
Other than this one hiccup, everything was PERFECT!!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Dec 04, 2025
Jann H.
I have been to the dinner service and the lunch service and enjoyed the food selection for the lunch service. Service was excellent, ambiance could be better ;). Lighting was too bright and area was cold which made the food cold faster. Food did not come out hot.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 8/10
Nov 30, 2025
Valarie K.
The KCC Culinary Arts program is outstanding. Each time we dine at Ka ‘Ikena I am amazed at what the students create and the care provided by the dining room staff. Most certainly the best value in town. We look forward to our next visit.
One critique on the fresh island catch, consider scaling back a little on the the seasoning.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 10/10
Nov 28, 2025
Tessie L.
Sometimes the food is too salty. The Kona coffee is weak.
The cheese biscuits are the best, some dishes are superb
The dining room manager is the best, the students are great, respectful, accommodating, pleasant
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Nov 26, 2025
Edie S.
The food was excellent and the service wonderful
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Nov 15, 2025
Pamela M.
As a former student I love seeing and tasting the execution of great menus. The dining room service was good especially with the challenge of the temporary location.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Oct 10, 2025
Jamie L.
Really enjoyed the food and service, had some comments for the food. The Beef Wellington was cooked very well, but the sauce was a little too salty. The duck was delicious and meat fell off the bone. For the guava panda cotta, the flavors stood out however the tapioca balls weren't cooked fully there were some hard bits still left. Really enjoyed the appetizers and the molten lava chocolate cake, no comments for those dishes.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Oct 10, 2025
Joy W.
Jazmin our waitress was awesome, very professional and gave us recommendations. The food was very tasty, portions were just right although we took home leftovers to enjoy again for dinner. (We always save half of our lunch to eat for dinner). Please let the chefs know that the food tasted very good and the desserts were very good as well. The price of the meal was worth it! My friends and I are planning to come back for dinner.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Oct 10, 2025
Lori N.
As always, we had a wonderful evening and Barbara was warm and attentive! Our meal was well executed and dessert was tasty and beautifully plated.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Oct 05, 2025
David C.
Always a special occasion and a wonderful treat!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 7/10
- Value: 10/10
Oct 04, 2025
Sue L.
This is the best restaurant on Oahu! Has been for years!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Oct 02, 2025
Linda K.
Thoroughly enjoyable evening with the students at Ka Ikena. Food was excellent from start to end and service was top-notch. Such a wonderful culinary program being offered at KCC, with the best instructors and chefs. Mahalo for making our night so special!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 28, 2025
Caroline O.
Pasta was over cooked. Sauce on pasta was a little thick for a scampi.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 27, 2025
Charmian D.
delicious food at reasonable prices. I love that you are able to purchase additional items from their bakery.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 27, 2025
Sandy G.
The presentation of the food and the taste was on par and very delicious. Thank you for a wonderful meal.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 23, 2025
Julie U.
Our server was excellent and so was the food! Mahalo for offering such high quality and value to the Kaimuki community
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 21, 2025
Irene A.
Delicious food and attentive service!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 19, 2025
Osiris S.
Loved the food and service
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
May 03, 2025
Sandi Y.
The food and ambience were great, value was excellent, and students were courteous! Although our large party being was required to preorder, we expected the wait staff to take each person’s order for efficient service. It was a little awkward raising our hands for food in a fine dining lab when the dishes came out.
The desserts were delicious, but several flies kept landing on them. We were sorry to miss out the packaged extras that were available for purchase
/^_^\
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
May 02, 2025
Judy S.
Excellent experience! Food was very good and excellent selections and price. Very enjoyable having young students learning how to serve food and manage diners.
Excellent program and will definitely return.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 28, 2025
Reiko S.
We always enjoyed foods and services.
My friend she is a vegetarian and they arrange the meal wonderful. Mahalo
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 8/10
Apr 25, 2025
Ray N.
Although service help appeared nervous, it will be overcome as they have more experience over time. They were all very friendly, very professional & tried their best to giver the best customer service. Kudos to the instructors for being very patient with the students & providing excellent hands on experience to the students! I would highly recommend this restaurant to my friends.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 24, 2025
Linda K.
Excellent experience here at Ka 'Ikena Laua'e today. We were serviced by an exceptional team of students, with our main server being Sophie. Sophie and all others were very professional, provided perfect service, and made our lunch extra special.
The dishes prepared by the students were beautiful to look at and delicious. Not a single mark was missed in any area and we were extremely pleased.
Special thanks to this semester's fine group of students and their excellent instructors for such a wonderful experience. We look forward to our next visit soon!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 11, 2025
Jacque F.
Our server was Bam, and she was amazing from beginning to end. She was very attentive to us. There were 6 of us and she made sure we were always content with our drinks, table settings and food. She gave us great recommendations and was very friendly and knowledgeable about the dishes. The food was fantastic as well. We had one of everything pretty much and nothing disappointed.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Mar 01, 2025
Karen S.
All was great! Our servers were prompt, efficient, attentive, and courteous. The food was very good - my only criticism there is that the bacon in the carbonara should be trimmed for fat (or use pancetta instead, and render the fat). We also had the short ribs which were very well prepared and presented. Thank you for a great experience!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 22, 2025
D. W.
Always an enjoyable experience (food and talking with the students).
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 21, 2025
Glenn N.
Excellent all around...good environment to foster the next generation of restaurant workers...Bravo...
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 17, 2025
Scott Alan B.
Excellent as always! My favorite comfort restaurant!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 15, 2025
Marjorie K.
ENJOYED the professional workmanship displayed in the food and service. This is a full creditation to the expertise displayed by your management staff who diligently train/perfect the students. Keep up the great job!
Appreciate the new reservation system that allows the public to book reservations within a wider window. This allows the public to "plan" in advance when arranging get-togethers.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 13, 2025
Sandy G.
Our food was very delicious!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 05, 2025
Linda K.
We thoroughly enjoyed the menu selections and appreciated the kindness and attentiveness of staff. Excellent in every way - mahalo students and faculty!!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Dec 05, 2024
Sherrie R.
Wow. Wow!!!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Nov 30, 2024
Vicky C.
Food was absolutely wonderful: prepared well, presentation unique, and tasted so delicious! One needs to remember that this is a "laboratory classroom" and students are learning how to be professionals. But the students have great attitudes and aim to please. They're not yet mind-readers, so don't hesitate to ask!
Our guests included a former head chef at local restaurants, and he was most impressed! Bravo!
Room for improvement: It seems that our "server" had not yet had lessons in how to pour (customer-provided) wine, so it dribbled as they were finished the pour. We gave them a hint: turn the bottle as you're tilting the bottle back. No more red drops on the tablecloth!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Nov 28, 2024
Jacqueline M.
My brisket was too salty
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Nov 22, 2024
Marjorie K.
Excellent dining experience .... impressive food creativity/presentation and well trained professional service staff.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Nov 22, 2024
Amy S.
Chef Alan does a great job with his students. Servers were more careful this time, our waiter (Tehani) was very attentive and accommodating.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 10/10
Nov 20, 2024
Venie L.
Appreciate there were baked goods for sale. Suggest to provide a menu of items for sale and an order form that patrons can complete. Staff can set aside this order for the patron to pick up on way out.
Ambiance rated as 8/10 is for spacing of tables, felt cramped. I understand this is temporary due to renovation. Mahalo nui.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 10/10
Oct 20, 2024
Grata K.
Our seating lost the famous paranomic ocean view as in the previous location.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 5/10
- Value: 9/10
Oct 12, 2024
francis w.
Excellent lunch service!! Normal restaurant is under renovation. Current temporary room is not that good. Dessert choice is outstanding.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 9/10
Oct 11, 2024
Gary N.
I enjoyed the meal and service - mahalo. I think I like the old Kaikena room a little better - can't wait for the reopening. Mahalo piha!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Oct 08, 2024
Michael I.
Always a pleasure dining at Ka 'Ikena Laua'e. The menu selection catered to all tastes (seafood, poultry, meat, vegetarian, etc.). Our starters and entree both were prepared well and artistically plated. Kei served us very well and we enjoyed interacting with her. It was our first time in the 220 Grille space and we felt that it worked out well as a temporary space. We feel that that the student-run dining experience is of great value for them and for us. The students are able to demonstrate/practice what they've learned in a close to realistic setting and we customers not only enjoy the food/service, but "give back" and support the program.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Oct 05, 2024
Holly L.
Excellent
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Oct 04, 2024
Tad I.
Excellent service, ambience, and food! Such a welcoming and high class environment! We will return soon.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 9/10
Oct 04, 2024
lourdes t.
Cheyenne was a great server! Everything tasted great, it was a wonderful experience for our first visit. Hope to make it back again soon
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Oct 04, 2024
Elizabeth A.
I had heard about the restaurant some year ago, and was so happy to experience it. Everything was outstanding, … food, service, value and ambiance. Also, the dessert cart was simply awesome I would be remiss if I didn't mention the service we got from Kei (student from Osaka, Japan). She was so very pleasant, helpful, and attentive when I told her that it was our first time. We are looking forward to the next one in November/December. Thank you for such a wonderful experience!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 6/10
- Value: 10/10
Oct 02, 2024
Mei M.
We had the Oshizushi and Mauka-Makai for appetizers, the Salmon for entree and Apple Pie and Chocolate Cream Pie for dessert. The only complaint is that the chicken on the Mauka-Makai was too dry, hard. The rest of the meal was really good! The service staff was very attentive and great. Special mention and appreciation for our server Kapena, he made our experience truly lovely!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Oct 02, 2024
Joseph D.
An excellent 3 course meal by the students and great service from the staff. Will definitely bring friends by in the future. Really enjoy the option to buy additional pastries to take home.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 7/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 29, 2024
Christine L.
Hope you can get to your new dining location at the culinary kitchen on DH slopes asap. The lighting and current venue takes away from the wonderful dining experience. Also, the reservation was Extremely hard to get.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 27, 2024
Dean Y.
We had a great experience at your new location! Cheyenne was our server and she was very well versed in the menu and specials and accommodating with all aspects of service. The food was excellent and we were afforded the opportunity to purchase your wonderful desserts and other baked goods which was a highlight of our dining experience. Great value and ambience!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 27, 2024
Leila L.
What a wonderful experience eating at Ka 'Ikena Laua'e Restaurant. Our server, Cheynne, was marvelous and a delight. Thank you for providing the public with access to your culinary wonders. We can't wait to dine there again!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 27, 2024
Shari O.
Excellent job! Food, service and portion size were great! I loved the lemon meringue pie too!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 27, 2024
Chizu H.
1 couse dishes were SO salty
second couse dishes were less salty.
Bakery goods are So delicious!!!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 26, 2024
Kathleen D.
Great food, great service, great experience.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 26, 2024
Sharon P.
As always, we had a wonderful experience! Food was delicious!!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 21, 2024
Pearl N.
The food was amazing, as always; the front of the house students were eager to please. The servers were so attentive to detail: when one of our party was taking his time finishing his starter, they patiently waited to serve the entrees. Fine dining restaurants on Oahu are dwindling, so it's wonderful to have this program as a fine dining option.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 19, 2024
Leonard C.
Ambience was excellent; clean & bright. Service was enthusiastic & courteous.
Food was excellent, both in presentation & tastes. Prices reasonable.
All around, a top notch dining experience.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 4/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 19, 2024
Elena C.
Enjoyed the entire experience. Bravo to staff and instructors!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 18, 2024
Carol H.
Great lunch. Great chance to enjoy fine dining (without the pretension!) while supporting the program and students. As we live in Mililani, and no longer have family living in Hawaii Kai, we haven’t been to Ka ‘Ikena for many many years. And whenever I do think of The Pearl at LCC, it’s always between sessions ☹️. We are planning for dinner now, with our culinary student/friend so she can see the program from the other side. See you soon.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 18, 2024
Becky G.
The new facility was much better than anticipated. We went the first day and were impressed with the quality of service and presentation of the food being it was the beginning of the Semester. Favorable selections of main meals, however, I had requested the steak be medium rare and it was medium well, which was a little disappointing. Pictures of all dishes on the website were very helpful in our expectations. Pecan tart was excellent. I also enjoyed the fish with ulu and a tasteful sauce. The fish was very moist. Looking forward to another visit soon!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 18, 2024
Linda K.
Cheyenne was our server today and she did exceptionally well. She was poised, polite, and friendly, making us feel so welcomed. Food offerings were very impressive and beautifully presented. Only improvement we could suggest would be with beverages. Butterfly Pea Lemonade was served way too sweet this semester and coffee was lukewarm and watered-down. But aside from that, it looks like this group of students are off to a great start. Mahalo!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 26, 2024
Chika Y.
So delicious.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 7/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 21, 2024
Mei M.
I gave 7/10 stars for ambience because the room felt like it could use an overall refresh. Although I was seated away from the windows, I could still appreciate the beautiful view. All the students did a great job on the food and service. I enjoyed the ahi tartare appetizer very much, well seasoned and so flavorful. The wellington pork tenderloin was also very nicely cooked and really delicious. For dessert I had the tiramisu which was also very good; I couldn’t finish it though, I forgot it contains alcohol…. My bad :( I had the butterfly pea lemonade and that was truly a delight!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 18, 2024
WALLACE I.
2 opportunities to improve:
1) There was coffee between the bottom of the cup and saucer.
2) After the waiter presented us with entrees, he told us to enjoy our appetizers.
Everything else was wonderful!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 18, 2024
Karen T.
Our waiter and server were cordial and knowledgeable about the fare so could tell us whether our taste preferences would be met. There was a nice array of selections. The entire staff were not intrusive yet always available to satisfy our needs. Excellent!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 06, 2024
Kelsey N.
Everything was great all around & considering it was educational, the students made great effort to do their best. The servers were a little stiff but it was obvious that they were nervous so we tried to be encouraging even if they made mistakes. The food was also exceptional quality, on par with some of the more “fancy” overpriced restaurants locally and in all honesty, I was so surprised to have my entree include an appetizer & dessert at no extra charge. What a deal for such an excellent meal! Thank you to everyone who serviced us that day & I hope the students continue to hone their skills.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 05, 2024
Bennet Y.
Great experience. The food and service were excellent. Thank you.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 8/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 04, 2024
Kathleen D.
Really appreciate the experience. Been dining with guests at Ka Ikena for years. Small suggestions: Sweet Pea tea is always very (too) sweet (definitely don't need added sugar water). Sometimes food seems salty (diners can add their own if they want more salt). The students are sincere and humble. The floor manager is ON IT supportive of and helping the students and the diners as needed. We enjoy buying baked goods at end of the meal. Great program!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Mar 01, 2024
kim n.
we had a great experience.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 26, 2024
Diana H.
Great service...great food! First time visit and will plan to go again. Students were so attentive. Thank you for a great dining experience.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 24, 2024
Valerie B.
Excellent food and technical program. Thank you!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 9/10
Feb 23, 2024
Charlene L.
Portions were huge for lunch. Very beautiful ambience, views to east Honolulu were spectacular. I wish you would sell more dessert items to take home. Thank you for a wonderful experience at KCC.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 23, 2024
Linda L.
I have been a BIG fan of the student sessions at Ka Ikena, and the take out offerings
on special occasions. This year's menu choices were superb! Excellent variety, beautiful plating, generous & delicious. Obtaining reservations is a challenge, but I am grateful to have them and introduced many people to this wonderful venue.
Aaron is an excellent teacher, personable and helpful. Five Stars!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 17, 2024
Garyce K.
Everything was perfect! The service was excellent. Everyone was polite and attentive, and worked efficiently. Also, the food was so delicious! Thank you for a very enjoyable experience. ☺
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 15, 2024
Marjorie K.
A remarkable dining experience....... Well trained front-of-the-house staff combined with impressive food presentation/taste.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 15, 2024
Alison O.
Daniel was our server. Very personable and attentive. When asked about an entree, he showed us a photo of it while explaining what was in the dish. When asked about whether an appetizer contains MSG, he checked with the chef and came back right away with a response. The other student waitstaff came by several times to ask if we wanted our drinks refilled and if we wanted more bread. Excellent customer service!
Re our entrees, the salmon with soba was an interesting combination. Perhaps the salmon could be soaked longer in the soy-based sauce or have more seasoning added because the fish was rather bland. The other dishes and dessert were spot on! Thank you for a delicious lunch!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 10, 2024
Ameen K.
Always a gastronomic pleasure eating at the Ka'lkena Laua'e dining room. It's a pleasure talking to the students and the food and views are first rate.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 09, 2024
Karlyn P.
Excellent personal greeting by each student ; interface at each juncture a pleasant one.
Each dish presented to please the eye. Wonderful variation in texture complimenting one another.
Thank you for a most enjoyable lunch !
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 09, 2024
Vicky C.
Knowing that we were dining with future restauranteurs serving us, it was a wonderful experience as we engaged in conversation not only about our meal, but other aspects of their education. It was a grand time, and only wish we (those of us who work) could enjoy a dinner.
Walking to our vehicles, we also engaged with some of the chefs-in-training and enjoyed those conversations (and words of encouragement) with them!
Thank you!!!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 08, 2024
Sharon P.
Always a wonderful experience!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 08, 2024
Valarie K.
The service was excellent. The staff was very attentive but not too much so. The menu options provided a nice variety of items to choose from. The food was well prepared and presented. The dessert cart was enticing with great options to choose from. Everything from the muffins to the desserts was delicious. As always the view from the restaurant is hard to beat and adds to the pleasant ambience. Awesome value that we feel is the best deal in town. Kudos to the staff and students!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 9/10
Feb 07, 2024
Harvey N.
We brought our friend, who was visiting from Thailand. He was a former Hawaii resident and lived in the Kahala area. He totally enjoyed dining at Ka Ikena.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 07, 2024
Harvey N.
We enjoy coming to this training site to enjoy the efforts of the instructors and the students. The dishes and their presentation were enjoyable. Keep up the great work!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 02, 2024
Joyce K.
We had a lovely dining experience. The food was delicious, the plating was elegant, and this service warm and friendly. We had a wonderful lunch!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 02, 2024
Deborah C.
Such a wonderful experience from beginning to end. We can wait to plan our next visit. Mahalo nui loa!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 01, 2024
Brenda G.
We had a great time at lunch today. Everything was so nice and the students try so hard to please. Wish they would just speak a bit louder. Wish we could have purchased some pastries before they ran out. We booked for Feb 14 & hope the pastries are offered then.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 1/10
Dec 01, 2023
Mae F.
All was served with perfection by the student staff who were patient, pleasant, courteous, & attentive.
There is nothing that the students can improve, they will make excellent servers after this course training.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Dec 01, 2023
raynette d.
Totally awesome !!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Nov 30, 2023
William L.
When will you re-open?