Ka'Ikena Laua'e
4303 Diamond Head Rd, Honolulu HI 96816
$$
International
Ka`Ikena Laua`e is a learning laboratory operated by Culinary students under the direction of Chef 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 and while we try to accommodate all requests; we cannot guarantee them. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.
Business Info
- Address: 4303 Diamond Head Rd, Honolulu HI 96816
- Cross Street: 2nd floor of Ohelo Building- Kapi'olani CC
- 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, Dining Alone, Business Dining, Special Occasion,
Photos
Events & Special Hours
- 2nd Module Service: DINNER
- Nov. 7, 2023 - Nov. 30, 2023 Dinner 5:30 p.m. - 6 p.m.
- 2nd Module Service: LUNCH
- Nov. 7, 2023 - Nov. 30, 2023 Lunch 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Business Hours
Reservations Available
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
-
LUNCH
10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Valid between: Sept. 12, 2023 - Oct. 5, 2023 -
DINNER
5:30 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Valid between: Sept. 12, 2023 - Oct. 3, 2023 - Wednesday
-
LUNCH
10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Valid between: Sept. 12, 2023 - Oct. 5, 2023 -
DINNER
5:30 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Valid between: Sept. 12, 2023 - Oct. 3, 2023 - Thursday
-
LUNCH
10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Valid between: Sept. 12, 2023 - Oct. 5, 2023 -
DINNER
5:30 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Valid between: Sept. 12, 2023 - Oct. 3, 2023 - 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?
- We are open for LUNCH and DINNER on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays. Please check our website for specific service dates and times.
- When are your seating times?
- Lunch: 10:30am-11:30am (every 15 min) Dinner: 5:30, 5:45 & 6pm
- 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.
Customer Reviews & Ratings
4.89 out of 5 stars based on 166 votes
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 29, 2023
Beth M.
It was such a pleasant and delightful dining experience. My friend and I plan to visit again.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 28, 2023
Mayumi M.
Very delicious food and very nice service, my son said he wants to learn cooking at this school. This restaurant is definitely better than the very expensive food I had at a restaurant in Waikiki the other day.
Thank you so much!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 27, 2023
Jeanne K.
Everyone was so nice and all the food was delicious! We are definitely coming back!!! The culinary program is fabulous and we are so fortunate to be able to dine this type of cuisine. It’s a win win!!!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 22, 2023
Pearl N.
Thoughtful planning is evident in the menu: something for vegetarians, pescatarians, and omnivores. Each dish is exquisitely crafted, featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients such as perfectly ripened watermelon pleasantly paired with unexpected flavors for a delightful watermelon caprese salad! Each dish, from starter to dessert, was carefully plated to please the eye, and more importantly please the palate.
The Beef Wellington was tender and tasty, and if you're a vegetarian, try the Portabella Wellington! Both seafood options earned raves: perfectly cooked and seasoned.
Don't skip dessert! If you want a variety, try the Flight, but the Baked Alaska and Lilikoi Creme Brulee are also delicious!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 22, 2023
Donna H.
The appetizers did not have a vegetarian option. Views are great. It was an exceptionally noisy day but I understand.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 22, 2023
Sandra C.
The STAFF were so Hospitable , polite, genuine with interactions with me, us . Went out of their way to check on how the food tasted, our beverages were satisfactory, we got VIP service that is lacking these days in restaurant industry. I'm glad that your students are being trained/ taught how to be excellent servers at KCC, encouraging to know that these servers will change the trend for the future. I love the cleanliness , neatness of table settings, rooms ambience, the priceless view in A/C.
. Of course i return to dine frequently we get TOP service, delicious food, pleasantly plated. INSTRUCTORS KEEP UP THE GREAT TEACHINGS!!!!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 21, 2023
Cherille N.
We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The servers were very professional and well trained and the food was great. Presentation of the food was also very beautiful.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 21, 2023
Bonnie C.
Make menu option available to view on reservation page or indicate where to look
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 5/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 19, 2023
Janice S.
Our waiter James was so pleasant and answered all of our questions. We really enjoyed lunch. But the hawaii appetizer tako was very hard and not flavorful. The Vietnamese ban mi noodles was disappointing as I wanted noodles and it was an omelette made of flour and turmeric so it was not good and odd. I also did not find the grilled pieces in the lettuce to have any point as there was no taste of Vietnam except for the pickled vegetables. I wish the desserts had a haupia, ube, mango, guava, or other Asian flavors since it was an Asia pacific theme but the desserts were standard choices that were boring. I did LOVE the kona coffee and refills, and the selection of rolls, breads, and cheese biscuits were to die for. I'm glad they asked if I wanted more bread YES!!! Thank you the experience is still 10 out of 10 though....love the professor, students, and chef
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 8/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 14, 2023
Michael M.
the food was just a little too well seasoned. right on the border of being too salty. it made everything homogenous and a little uninteresting. I has the scallop and mung bean risotto. I loved the flavors. the cook on the scallops and risotto and adobo was great but the risotto was a little too salty. an under seasoned risotto with finishing salt would make it less monotonous with pops of salinity would make the dish more interesting.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 13, 2023
Eileen S.
Really enjoyed seeing the students learn fine dining service and everyone was super attentive. Made my mom's bday! Food was great, particularly the pastries and appetizers.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 13, 2023
John M.
we love sharing a table here with our friends. The food is always great and the students are lots of fun. BYOB is a wonderful bonus.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 12, 2023
Linh H.
Food was great with beautiful presentation. Portions are overly generous for fine dining. Students were friendly and earnest to do well. THANK YOU!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 28, 2023
Karen N.
Everything was wonderful! We enjoyed Ruth's attention to us very much! She is an asset to the program.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 28, 2023
Felix T.
Tried rabbit for the first time, it was a unique experience.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 25, 2023
Veronica O.
Everything is a 10!!! The students in the front of the house, under Aaron's leadership, did AMAZING! They were professional, attentive, efficient, and personable. Everything we ate on the lunch menu was FANTASTIC! The students, under Chef Salvo's leadership, did an EXCELLENT job in executing, plating, and presenting the dishes. The desserts as always were absolutely DELICIOUS! Please thank Chef Wetter and his students for doing such an OUTSTANDING job! I brought a group of friends in February, March, & April, and every time we had such a wonderful experience! I look forward to having lunch in the Fall semester.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 25, 2023
Carolyn A.
Please dont add so much sugar to the butterfly pea drink. The first time you offered that drink last semester was the best cause you could taste the pea scent. Now it just pure sugar. No matter how much water I add to the drink its too sweet. All my friends that ordered it was diluting their drinks as well.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 19, 2023
Cyn N.
We enjoyed the food. It was beautifully prepared and presente, and very delicious. Sean provided us with great service.
We’ll be back next school year, and looking forward to dinner service.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 19, 2023
Sandy G.
Our party really enjoyed the food and the service. It was a wonderful lunch menu to celebrate our two co-worker birthdays. We also purchased desserts to take home with us. We look forward to future dining experiences with Ka'Ikena. Mahalo to the students and staff!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 14, 2023
Becky G.
We love Ka'Ikena! A fantastic view and servers try so hard to please. Variety of food is exciting to experience.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 14, 2023
Kathleen D.
I appreciate fresh ingredients, variety of options, no msg (which I am seriously allergic to), presentation of the food, the spacing of the tables, friendly servers. I happily bring friends and family to share the wonderful experience. Thank you.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 13, 2023
Alison O.
Brenna was our waitstaff and she was excellent! From start to finish, she was friendly, professional, knowledgeable, paid attention to details and to the customers' needs. Very proactive. Qying (not sure about the spelling of her name) was also very attentive and made sure our drinks were refilled. The other students were also engaging but those two stood out.
The food was superb! Appetizers were spot on. I had the duck entree twice during this module and the plating was different each time. The taste was also slightly different but both dishes were delicious!
There are two things I would say could be improved. One is the wait time of about an hour between the appetizers and the entrees. Luckily, we were not pressed for time. Two is the packing of the desserts to go. Half the pie topping had fallen over by the time we got the container. However, I understand how difficult it is to place desserts into containers. Overall, I would give today's meal 4.5 stars.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 8/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 9/10
Apr 13, 2023
francis w.
Innovative and varied menu. Fresh ingredients. Great combinations of ingredients.
Good choice of everything including breads and desserts.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 11, 2023
Gabriel P.
Fantastic service and food.
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 7/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 7/10
- Value: 7/10
Sep 29, 2023
Esther C.
Prices got too high
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 12, 2023
Holly L.
We enjoyed lunch very much. The quality was outstanding and the wait staff(students ) did a fine job. The person in charge was available and was explaining the addition of an acidic ingredient gave the dish an enhansed flavour and also complimented the other choices on the plate. At the end we also purchased a chocolate cake. Hats off to all. Excellent attention to detail
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 9/10
Apr 06, 2023
Linda S.
Our server (Whitney?) was very friendly and attentive. We were celebrating our birthdays and everyone came out to sing for us. That was very unexpected and appreciated!