Conveniently located in Kailua on the way to Lanakai Beach Kalapawai Market definitely isn’t hurting for business. As a matter of fact every time I come here this place always seems pretty packed for a local market.

Kalapawai stands apart from your average joe market because not only can one come here for basic necessities like milk, home pregnancy tests, condoms and alcohol but one can come and stay for lunch. There’s a fine deli in the back of the place and usually someone out front inducing you with tantalizing BBQ aromas. What’s one do to? Surrender you poor unfortunate soul, surrender.

This is the Yogurt Bowl, $4.99, with fruit yogurt, granola and fresh fruit. I thought this was a pretty good deal considering the bowl was a meal in it itself. I really like the generous amount of granola that was given and it stayed crunchy even though it was premade.

There was a lot of dried fruit and some fresh bananas at the bottom. It came with one strawberry that also served the purpose of a garnish.

This is the Italian Sub, $7.49, french baguette, ham, turkey, salami, provolone, lettuce, tomato, pepperoncini, Italian dressing and sun dried tomatoes pesto. This place has kick ass sandwiches but I gotta tell ya, there sandwiches are small as hell, which is why I don’t come here all the time.

On this day Ray and I didn’t have a very large appetite so as usual we shared and it was actually the perfect amount of food. I’m a fan of this place, regardless of their puny sandwiches. Come here for good sandwiches and if your hungry order two.

Here’s an older post on Kalapawai and their restaurant.

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Kalapawai Market
306 S Kalaheo Ave
Kailua, HI 96734

Get Directions(808) 262-4359

To the untrained eye this looks like an average market, similar to that of a convenience store, but inspect a little longer and you will see that what lies before you is a very special place indeed. I know there’s a BBQ pit out front and a huge sign that reads “Beach Burgers here today!” that gives away that you can order food here but of all the times I’ve been here that’s the first time I’ve ever seen it. I’m not big on burgers and it’s not the reason why I’ve come. It’s not that I don’t like them, I’m sure their burgers are lovely but their secret deli is my reason for being here. The deli can easily be missed and it would be a shame if you did so let me help you. When you walk in don’t make any sudden turns just keep heading straight to the back. There you will find a small but quaint deli.

They have cold items to choose from through a glass window or you can order a fresh cold or hot sandwich with the man or woman at the counter. Their sandwiches average about $6.00 and they are delish. I shared a Reuben and a small pasta salad with my friend Sara.

Here’s my half of the sandwich

This is their pasta salad. I don’t recommend it. I know it looks like soup right? We did eat most of it, but that’s a little ridiculous. It cost $4.00 for a small, and that it was. They didn’t give very much at all and it wasn’t very good. Which goes to show you, stick to sandwiches at a deli. Ray got a chicken club. He was very happy with it.

Kalapawai Market is a great place before or after any beach excursion. It’s right around the corner from Lanikai Beach, which is voted one of the best beaches in the world. Actually, instead of wasting time packing a lunch, make a stop here and have a picnic at the beach. That’s what Ray and I did in April when we were on vacation here from California. We had a romantic picnic on the beach right before he proposed to me. It’s one of my fondest memories. Shitty pasta or not, I have nothing but love for this place.

If your hungry and you don’t want to walk to the beach, there’s benches to the side of the market with shade.

And if your a wine-o, you will be pleased to find a nice selection of wine at this market. They have wine openers if you want to spend some extra money on a crappy one that you’ll probably never use again or you can just buy a twist off. Hey, don’t be so judgemental, there’s some really good twisties out there. My favorite is, “Bitch.” Yes, I said Bitch and I’m not talking about your mother. It was suggest to me by the owner one day and I’m so glad that he did because I was really pleased with it. Don’t forget to buy some cheap plastic red cups if your gonna bring it to the beach.

Directions to Kalapawai Market