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FUUD: Moena Cafe in Hawaii Kai

By Catherine Toth Fox • September 28, 2012 • Food

Having lived in East Honolulu for more than a decade now, I know breakfast spots are few and far between.

Sure, there’s Jack’s in Aina Haina — love the special biscuits — and Koa Pancake House in Hawaii Kai. But short of driving into Kaimuki — there are lots to choose from there! — there aren’t many other spots for pancakes and a cup of coffee.

Until earlier this year.

In May, Eric and Nicole Chang opened Moena Cafe in Koko Marina Center, serving breakfast and brunch items every day. The little cafe occupies the space vacated by Papa John’s.

Eric has nearly 30 years of culinary experience, having worked at Bueno Nalo Restaurant, La Rotisserie & Grill, California Pizza Kitchen and Sunset Grill. His last gig was at the Sheraton Moana Surfrider, where he was the head dinner chef.

You can tell from the menu — which features items like crab benedict, sweet and savory crepes, homemade three-cheese baked macaroni and ham, panini sandwiches and a slew of hearty salads — that there’s a bonafide chef behind it. But be prepared to pay for it: the prices here are slightly more expensive than elsewhere.

So a few of us — all from East Honolulu — headed down one weekday afternoon to satisfy our breakfast cravings.

Word of caution: make reservations. It gets crowded here!

Here’s what we ate:

Moena Cafe

Moena Cafe
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This little cafe in Koko Marina Center opened in May to rave reviews. It's one of the few places in East Honolulu that serves breakfast — and all day long.

Moena Cafe, Koko Marina Center, 7192 Kalanianaole Highway. Hours: 6:30 a.m.-3 p.m. daily. Phone: (808) 888-7716

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In Memoriam: school lunches
That nostalgic Hawaiian song

About the Author

Catherine Toth Fox

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5 Comments

  • Reply M September 28, 2012 at 10:09 am

    Hello cat!
    Looks Guud!
    Happy Fuud pixs Friday!

  • Reply WildeOscar September 28, 2012 at 12:18 pm

    MC breakfast – yum, just seeing it makes me feel as hungry as a high school football lineman trying to get by on a 600 calorie school lunch. Can I eat your parsley?

  • Reply David Jackson September 28, 2012 at 12:52 pm

    Pics 7 & 8 had me seriously drooling. And I had an awesome Vietnamese lunch only a couple of hours ago…

  • Reply Annoddah Dave September 29, 2012 at 7:22 am

    CAT: Aaaiiiyyyaaahhh! Fuud Pix! Tenks! Luuks guud. Will keep this place in mind next time I’m in the area.

  • Reply Old Man October 9, 2012 at 8:21 pm

    Have eaten there several times and haven’t been disappointed yet. The Sirloin Loco Moco
    is great, and the scones are to die for. Yes a bit pricey, but it’s a step above the other restaurants in the area. Hope they remain in business for awhile.

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About Me

About Me
Born and raised on O‘ahu, Hawaiʻi, Catherine Toth Fox has been chronicling her adventures in her blog, The Cat Dish, for more than a decade. She worked as a newspaper reporter in Hawai‘i for 10 years and continues to freelance—in between teaching journalism, hitting the surf and eating everything in sight—for national and local print and online publications. She’s currently the editor of HAWAIʻI Magazine.

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