We found Da Imu Hut on a recommendation from K., who was born and raised on Kauai. We said "We know where all the "hot" restaurants are...they have fancy ads in all the glossy magazines. But tell us about your favorite places to eat that we might miss out on, if we just went by the guide books." Da Imu Hut was on his short list, and you can tell that K. grew up on this food and would gladly eat there any time. As he reminisced fondly about meals he had there with friends and family, we were sold! We got directions (it's on the highway, "mountain" side, in Hanapepe, near the Kauai Kookie outlet store) and made plans to go.
You can't get more "local flavor" than Da Imu Hut in Hanapepe. The day we went there, we ate alongside teachers from the local school, nurses from the nearby clinic, and tradesmen looking for some good food.
"Imu" is the underground "oven" that the Hawaiians use to cook meat in. They dig a hole in the ground, build a fire using hardwood, put some large rocks on the fire, and burn the rocks until they are white hot. Then they put the food in the imu, and cover the pit, hot rocks, food and all. After many hours (6 or more), the meat is tender, juicy, and perfectly cooked!
I am not sure if Da Imu Hut still uses an imu to cook its food, but the menu is definitely "lunch plate Hawaiian". Menu items include such Hawaiian staples as Kalua Pig, Lau Lau Pork and Fried Teriyaki Chicken. The decor is definitely unfancy. But the place is very clean. The price can be described as "untouristy and delightfully cheap". A lunch plate costs as little as $6 or $7, which is bang for your buck in Kauai.
Our group enjoyed the Lau Lau Pork and Teri Fried Chicken. The Lau Lau Pork is wrapped in leaves, and then steamed to perfection! The Fried Teriyaki Chicken are chunks of chicken meat fried (with the skin on of course!) and served in teriyaki seasoning.
Most lunch plates come with two scoops of white rice and macaroni salad. Don't worry, starch is your friend in Hawaii! Anyway, wouldn't it be a shame to miss out on local flavor only because you read a diet book written by someone you don't know, that said you shouldn't eat carbs?
Your diet books and resolutions will be waiting for you when you get home. When in Kauai, eat a few meals where the locals go! Da Imu Hut would be a great place to start!