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Big Kahuna's Pizza n Stuffs Hawaii

Hawaii is no stranger to Pizza. Pizza Hut, Domino's Pizza, Papa John's Pizza, Round Table Pizza, California Pizza Kitchen and Sbarro's to name a few national chains have all come to the islands to bring us the delicious dish. While there are a few local spots that feature Pizza, one name always stands out when it comes to local Hawaiian pizza, and that's Big Kahuna's Pizza. For those that think that adding pineapple on a Pizza makes it "Hawaiian", you'll change your mind once you've tried Big Kahuna Pizza!

While the name Big Kahuna may bring images to mind of Samuel L. Jackson sipping on a soda and taking a bite of a burger in the Pulp Fiction, Big Kahuna Pizza was around even before that movie came out. Featuring pan style pizza's, sub sandwiches and mozzarella cheese and garlic balls, Big Kahuna Pizza has been putting a smile on Hawaii folks for a long time.

This past weekend, my wife and I decided it was time to get our fix of Big Kahuna Pizza, so we headed out to the west side of Honolulu near the airport. Big Kahuna recently moved to a new location, which in my opinion was for the better. While the previous location might have felt like home to many, it was difficult to get to, had very little parking, interior decor and feel was "local style" but there were only a few tables to sit at and it wasn't air conditioned. The new location is a closer to the airport but a much nicer location with TONS of parking. Air conditioned, yet still decked out in grass shack Hawaiian motif, complete with signs and surfboards. You really get the feeling that Big Kahuna's is the local Hawaiian's favorite Pizza. The new location also has a all you can drink self-serve beverages which is a big plus for me.

Kahuna's pizzas range from the standard plain cheese or pepperoni, to the vegetarian type and the standard meat lovers pizzas. But their specialty pizza's is what folks rave about the most. With names like "Kanaka", "Portagee", "Haole", "Banzai" and "Sumo" you can guess how special they are!

We ordered the 12" Da Sumo Special pizza. The Sumo had an incredible assortment of toppings, and not your usual topping either: Portuguese sausage and kalua pig are two that most non-locals will want to try on their Pizza. Other toppings include ham, italian sausage, bacon, mushrooms, chopped tomatoes, black olives, onions and cheese of course. We also ordered a menehune portion of the Garlic Cheese Balls. The menehune portion comes with 6 cheese balls while a regular portion comes with a whopping 12! We tried the regular portion previously and it was just too much for two people to eat.

First, the Garlic Cheese Balls. These are baked in butter and garlic and come out piping hot, and slightly crisp on the outside but soft and gooey on the inside. They are topped with five different cheeses and are simply delicious. Next, da Sumo Special Pizza came and it was delicious as usual. This isn't a thin crust pizza and it isn't a deep dish pizza. It's just right! While Pizza Hut has some of the greasiest pan pizza I've ever eaten, Big Kahuna's Pizza is has some oil but it's not saturated. The toppings were plenty, so much so they were falling off of the pizza!

Big Kahuna's warns that they like to bake their deep dish pizza's on the well side to insure that everything is cooked, that means toppings and crust, but they will cook it any way you like.

Kahuna's not only has awesome pizza, but folks rave about their sandwiches as well. Put together on their famous homemade rolls they offer a "Killer Kalua Pork" sandwich consisting of roasted pork piled high with a tangy bar-b-que sauce; Paniolo Beef Brisket done texas style and "Da Pipeline" which is basically any of Kahuna's pizzas turned into a sandwich! How awesome is that?

While the pizza is worth the wait, you may face a wait if you don't get there at the right time. Big Kahuna's has a huge following and is very popular for lunch, so if you're in rush, be sure to call in your order or get there before the lunch crowd.

Big Kahuna's Pizza and Stuff
550 Paiea St # 134
Honolulu, HI 96819
(808) 833-5588

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