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Home » Product, Book & Restaurant Reviews » Hale I'A Da Fish House in Kawaihae

Hale I'A Da Fish House in Kawaihae

Aug 14, 2014 · by Valentina · 15 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links.

Hale I'A Da Fish House in Kawaihae, Hawaii is an outdoor, roadside restaurant and fish market. It is absolutely not to be missed if you're in the area!Da Fish House mural at the fish market

I love, LOVE, trying the local food when I'm traveling.

When we were in Hawaii on the Big Island, I was on a hunt for the best local food I could find. The resort where we were staying was lovely -- and the food was too -- but, it was not unlike food I could find in lovely restaurants where I live.

It's Where the Locals Eat

On the second day of our vacation, I asked the beach bartender if he was from the area, and if so, could he recommend some places to eat.

He started to name handful of nearby restaurants, that were the opposite of what I wanted -- touristy, expensive, and like the resort, with menus of  -- albeit delicious -- food I could find at home.

So to clarify what I was looking for, I said, "actually, where do you eat?"

Da Fish House market with ice machine outside

Da Fish House

Without any hesitation, he told me about a "fish truck" on the side of the road in Kawaihae.

His face literally lit up when he told me what to order, and that the fish was unbelievably fresh -- brought in each morning from the sea.

Da Fish House mural and signs

First we spotted a small bright building -- a fish market where you could buy either prepared raw fish dishes, like Poke, or fresh fillets of fish.  And just to its side was an awesome, old, funky truck -- the "restaurant," if you will. Fish from this market also filled the taco shells and plates served from the truck.

Together, the market and truck are called "Hale I'A Da Fish House."

bite of poke in chopsticksAhi Poke from the Hale I'A Da Fish House Market.  (Stay tuned for recipe - coming in a few days.)

Fish Prep

Just as we approached the fish store, off to my left, I spotted a door to a small prep kitchen -- an open door through which I could see a man holding up a big, fresh fish. I practically ran to that door, introduced myself and asked if I could watch and take pictures when he cleaned and filleted this gorgeous Mahi Mahi.

He smiled and nodded yes. He didn't say a word, but he smiled from time to time and carried on with his work.

Mahi Mahi being cleaned by fish monger

The Mahi Mahi was handled with care, and each cut was very precise.

His process was very peaceful, almost like a meditation.

Mahi Mahi tailThis was an art.

Mahi Mahi being filleted by fish monger

As we headed over to the truck, my son asked me, "Mommy, why do you like these dumpy places?" I tried to explain the difference between a "dump," and an awesome "dive," telling him that eating food at these cool local places when we travel helps us learn about other cultures.

(And yes, I know Hawaii is in the the U.S., but you know what I mean.)

Da Fish House food truck and patio

We got some of the freshly made Ahi Poke from the fish market while we waited for our fish tacos from the truck. Two amazingly delicious courses!

outside shelf with sauces at Da Fish House food truck

Hale I'A Da Fish House Menu

The menu would change daily, depending on what fish was caught that morning.

The fish tacos were somewhat mind blowing -- Mahi Mahi (yes, from the fish pictured above - the one I'd just watched being filleted), with Cajun spices, pickled cabbage, tomato salsa, guacamole and sour cream. Such a fantastic blend of flavors.  (Stay tuned for this recipe, too -- coming soon!)

Da Fish House menus and tacos and ValentinaAnd the cherry on top . . . washing our hands at the sink facing the road and ocean.  My son put this part high on his "dumpy" list -- and I put it on my "cool and funky" list. 😉

We went back almost every day for lunch for the rest of our vacation.  Should you be lucky enough to find yourself in Hawaii on the Big Island, I wouldn't miss this.

Hale I'A Da Fish House Lunch Wagon, 61-3665 Akoni-Pule Hwy, Kawaihae, HI96743

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Linda

    August 14, 2014 at 4:44 pm

    This may be my favorite one of your blogs! I feel like I'm right there eating Poke and
    Mahi Mahi with you--and that eight-year-old! Can't wait for the recipes.

    Reply
    • valentina

      August 15, 2014 at 9:55 pm

      Thank you SO MUCH Linda. XOhttp://cookingontheweekends.com/wp-admin/edit-comments.php#comments-form

      Reply
  2. Rachel

    August 14, 2014 at 5:00 pm

    Yes, I would be eating at this place - like Linda looking forward to the recipes especially the one for the Poke.

    Reply
    • valentina

      August 15, 2014 at 9:56 pm

      Thanks so much, Rachel. Recipes are coming right up. 🙂

      Reply
  3. Kelly @ Tasting Page

    August 14, 2014 at 9:52 pm

    This definitely looks like a must visit place for MY list!

    Reply
    • valentina

      August 15, 2014 at 9:56 pm

      Kelly, you will love it!

      Reply
  4. Lana

    August 15, 2014 at 8:01 pm

    I have never been to Hawaii, but this is EXACTLY the place I would choose to take my family to:) Wherever I travel, I ask the cab drivers, hotel front desk workers, waiters, where the y eat and that's where we end up, rarely disappointed! No surprise we like each other - we are so similar!

    Reply
    • valentina

      August 15, 2014 at 9:56 pm

      Lana, we must travel together and eat! 😉

      Reply
  5. Christina

    August 17, 2014 at 8:48 am

    I just loved this post, Valentina! We are two peas in a pod, as I would have done the same thing...finding what locals eat always is more appealing to me than eating in some stuffy, fancy restaurant! Fab photos, as usual...makes me want to go back to Hawaii!

    Reply
    • valentina

      August 17, 2014 at 10:26 am

      This and everything else makes me want to go back to Hawaii 😉 Thank you, Christina!

      Reply
  6. David

    August 17, 2014 at 11:38 am

    My favorite kind of place, too. Sure I love the fancy places but I prefer the "real" places. Cool and funky, for sure.

    Reply
    • valentina

      August 17, 2014 at 5:08 pm

      Cool and funky is my favorite -- almost always great food. 🙂

      Reply
  7. sippitysup

    September 02, 2014 at 10:21 am

    I want to go there! All my trips to the Big Island and I somehow missed this. Must remedy soon. XOGREG

    Reply
  8. Kath

    November 30, 2014 at 10:40 pm

    Valentina, could you tell us what days and what time you would visit the shop? We are on the island right now (I think at the same place you stayed!) and struck out when we drove by late this afternoon (a Sunday). Think we'll have more luck early tomorrow morning? I'd really like to cook some fresh local fish tomorrow for dinner!

    Mahalo!

    Reply
    • valentina

      December 01, 2014 at 2:03 pm

      Hi Kath! I know they're not open in the evenings -- just lunch, and I'm pretty sure daily (except Sunday). Any local should know of it and know the answer. I'll investigate more now and add to this if I find out something new. Enjoy! Mahalo! 🙂

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Valentina, certified chef, owner, recipe developer and photographer at Cooking on the Weekends. I'm also a mom of two boys and a Los Angeleno. I use seasonal whole foods to create unique and comforting recipes for casual entertaining.

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