Pono Hawaiian Grill

Let’s start with parking - good luck! The food was good… We had kalua pork fries, the kal-bi Korean short ribs and the Hawaiian Fish & Chips. The kalua pork fries - the pork meat was not well Mixed since parts of it was salty. The Kal-bi Korean short ribs - not all the pieces had sauce on them. The Fish and Chips was good. Overall good experience, they have an outdoor area to sit and eat, clean bathrooms and good service and staff

It was a bit quiet on a Tuesday afternoon. We sit at the tall table, which is kinda cool! The entire place is clean and spacious with TV screens on all the walls. Food was good, but not great. I like the ahi salad and the Korean short ribs, and my son loves the crispy chicken sandwich. The girls however were not impressed with their poke bowls. Staff is friendly, but not much of the service as you order the food at the entrance, pick your own table, food is quickly delivered to you. You get your own water, clean up your own table, and even grab your own togo containers for leftovers.

The vibe here is amazing, one of the best. Between live music, chill staff, pics of waves and colorful murals... can't help but smile and think how maybe life is pretty great. Indoor for TVs and barstools, outdoor for a lovely patio with tons of vegetation. Order any food at the front, from poke to seafood to grill, they have all the Hawaiin favorites. Check our their beverage fridge on the left for some canned fruity drinks. Food comes out quick. I had the garlic lemon shrimp fitbowl, comes with a house special chili oil. Not the greatest... veggies & rice were bland without the sauce, and too much spice with. Friend got the classic poke bowl. She said not bad, but not better than your typical poke places popping up everywhere recently. And pricier too. But that aloha spirit though.

Well y'all know ive been on Big Island Hawaii since 1994. Own the oldest store on island. And a cafe. Pono makes good loco moco and decent beef teriyaki. But man, there is no Aloha here braddahs and sistahs. Every single time I wanted something, I had to leave my table and go up to bar- NOBODY on staff helps you. I was there 90mins. Not one time did someone help me. Also if you don't like a yelping, crying dog, which while trying to chill, who does- dont come here. Dog barked, yelped, and cried behind bar and in kitchen all 90 mins. Main thing, should be ashamed to be called Pono- peace, oneness w all, respect- this place showed None. All servers talked amongst themselves amd have no Aloha spirit for customers. You'd be out of business if you were in Hawaii. Shameful.

A causal Hawaiian restaurant in downtown Santa Cruz. You order the food at the front, pick a table to sit at, and they serve the food to your table. Price is average. Food was quite good. The salmon in the poke was fresh but lacks flavor or side dishes that we have seen in other places. The kuala pork was good but a bit too salty. Staff were friendly. Overall a decent place to eat at.