While the Pearl at Kalauao — formerly Pearl Country Club — has been part of the golf course community on Oʻahu since 1967, it was closed for all of 2024 for a full renovation of the building, kitchen, restaurant and ballrooms. The newly renovated space reopened on Nov. 29 last year, according to sales and marketing manager Kelsey Kozuma.
Renovations include premium paspalum greens, enhanced facilities and a more modern look — which is especially evident in the golf course’s restaurant.
The restaurant at Pearl at Kalauao is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays to Fridays, and from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. But this isn’t your typical golf course eatery. The farm-to-table restaurant focuses on providing its customers with fresh, local, comfort food, according to Kozuma.
“Most of the items on our menu are housemade, as part of our new identity as a farm to table restaurant,” she says. “We proudly source ingredients from Sumida Farm (watercress), Honolulu Meat Company, Ko Hana Rum and Maui Brewing Company.”
Your dining experience will start with complimentary housemade chips, which are crispy, flavorful and way too easy to fill up on.
Popular dishes include the Pearl mix plate ($22), chili & chicken mix ($17), oxtail soup ($24), and smash burger ($18). Of course, we had to try a little of everything.
I recommend visiting the restaurant on a Friday, just so you can try the Hawaiian plate ($17.50). Featured every Friday, this kanak attack-inducing meal includes kalua pig and cabbage, chicken long rice, lomi salmon, white rice and haupia. The shredded kalua pig is tender with an umami smoky flavor; we couldn’t get enough of it.
“‘Hawaiian Food Fridays’ feature traditional lūʻau-style Hawaiian dishes,” Kozuma says.
While the Hawaiian plate was our favorite from everything we tried, the chili and chicken mix plate ($17) was the ultimate comfort food pairing. It features crispy fried chicken paired with a hearty, housemade chili, served with white or brown rice and mixed greens or potato salad.
“Our chef’s special chili stands out for its bold, savory flavor and hearty local twist,” Kozuma says. “It’s slow simmered for hours to build depth, then is served over rice, fries or as a chili dog for the perfect comfort dish. What really makes it unique is the housemade seasoning blend and balance of sweet and spicy that keeps guests coming back for more.”
The Pearl mix plate ($22) is the ideal choice for the indecisive eater — or if you want a little of everything. It includes Pulehu rib-eye steak from Honolulu Meat Co., fried chicken and breaded fish, served with white or brown rice and potato salad or mixed greens.
I love cobb salads, and this version — mixed greens topped with hard-boiled eggs, tomatoes, avocado, red onions, chicken and crispy bacon — doesn’t disappoint. Pro tip: Ask for the eatery’s flavorful lilikoi vinaigrette to add to your salad. I couldn’t get enough of it.
The eatery also offers happy hour on weekdays from 3 to 6 p.m. Enjoy drink specials like the lilikoʻi margarita ($9), 19th hole spritz ($8) and Pink Pearl ($8), along with shareable pūpū like garlic fries ($7), tako karaage ($14) and fried noodles ($12).
“Some of our top happy hour items include PK fried chicken ($10), fried rice ($12) and a variety of our specialty cocktails,” Kozuma says.
Desserts are made fresh in house; choose from delicacies like guava chiffon pie ($6), lilikoi chiffon pie ($6), fried ice cream ($7) and chef’s bread pudding ($6). They’re a nice way to end the meal — while enjoying that scenic view.
CONTACT
Pearl at Kalauao
98-535 Kaonohi St., ‘Aiea
808-487-2460
pearlatkalauao.com
Instagram: @pearlatkalauao
Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
