Day 3: Chicken Hunt

Sandy hands

Up early again and off to my happy place, Kailua Beach, despite the overcast skies. I made it my mission last time I was here to be in the ocean every day, despite the weather. I'm not the strongest swimmer but for me being in the waves, moving with the swells and feeling weightless in the salt water is incredibly calming. I wish I could start every day of my life in the waves and plan to make the most of it while I am here. No regrets when I leave!


In the midst of salty serenity, I happened to look up and notice that the mountains across the bay had disappeared in clouds of mist and fog. This is how rain works on the island. Last time I was here I attempted to use weather forecasts to plan my days and found them to be wholly unreliable. I think this is because weather patterns blow quickly over the island, impacting some parts and not others. There are, however, some signs that can be used to help predict rain as they come and this was one. I hustled to the car as the landscape in front of me disappeared and the rain started to fall.

Mike's Huli Huli Chicken

With some unexpected time on my hands I set out to find an eatery that dad and I had seen featured on Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives right before I left.

Driving into Kaneohe, I smelled chicken before I saw the yellow food truck stationed on the side of the road. Mike’s Huli Huli Chicken is especially well-known for their chicken, slow-roasted on a wood-fire rotisserie over Kiawe wood and naturally flavored with traditional Hawaiian sea salt. The result, as I can vouch for, is juicy meat with a crispy, flavorful skin that you might assume was fried.

A friendly employee conversed with me for about 5 minutes before I ordered, asking where I was from, what brought me to HI, and how I had heard about Mike's. When I mentioned the Food Network Show, he pointed excitedly at a signed poster of the establishment's owner and Guy Fieri that was plastered to the right of the order counter.


I ordered a chicken and garlic shrimp plate, which came with two scoops of white rice, mac salad, pineapple, and a hawaiian juce drink. Quite simply put, it was an enormous amount of delicious food. The shrimp were served with the shells and legs still on and were drenched in a delicious garlic sauce that made my mouth water. The pineapple was a perfect wedge of sweetness that balanced out the saltiness of the rest of the meal, and I was able to use the rice to soak up the juices from the shrimp and chicken. I hope to return here before I leave, Hardenburgs in tow, to try the pulled pork, which I hear is also fantastic.

On the ride home I passed the Valley of Temples,  a Memorial Park lush with rolling hills and simply-decorated plaques adorned with tropical flowers and leis. The Byodo-In Temple is at the rear of this park. As I was not dressed in a respectful enough fashion I decided to return another time and instead carried on to Kailua, where I spent the rest of the day exploring the shops, drinking Kona pour overs, and skipping through the aisles of Whole Foods.That night Janine and I made pizza and salad at home, watched a movie together, and enjoyed each other's company.