Uala Leaf Cafe

This eatery is CLOSED. Community cooking/culinary classes are still offered through the WCC website and conducted in the Uala Leaf Cafe.

Service that was both friendly and effective! The cooks advised me to go to the cashier while my burger was cooking, which turned out to be a sound decision on their part. I could have eaten there because it wasn't very busy, but I decided to take everything home with me instead so that I could package up my leftovers.

Located at the Windward Community College, in the Hale Akoakoa building (just follow the signs), this school cafeteria serves up some winning lunches!

When I worked Day Shift at the nearby hospital, I walked over a few times for a tasty hot meal. It's a real treat because there's no tax charged and it's a clean, safe environment!

During my most recent visit, I ordered one of the daily specials - Chicken Curry and a Cheeseburger. The Chicken Curry was better than others because the chicken was shredded (not cubed), so it was more tender and flavorful. It came with a side of macaroni or green salad. I got the greens with a tangy citrus dressing... ono! The Cheeseburger came loaded with lettuce and tomato. The cheese enhanced the flavor a lot!

Service was cheerful and efficient! The chefs suggested that I proceed on to the cashier while my burger was on the grill... good call! I could have dined there (It wasn't crowded), but I took everything home, so I could box my leftovers.

If you're on the Windward side of Oahu, you may want a change of pace and have lunch in a college setting. It's very casual and relaxing... and the parking is free!

Note: 'uala is Hawaiian for sweet potato!

One of the good places (must try) to have vegeterian food in hawaii. Their kimchi soup and tofu fries are must try.
Also their location is amazing, they have a nice view to look at the lush green moutain range.

Wonderful Experience! No Offense but In all honesty Uala Leaf Cafe was not what I expected.
I mean... you get gourmet food at a community college and large meals for under $10?  Mind blown!  All I can say is these students eat good!
On my first day I tried the steak tostada served with Spanish rice, frijoles negras, and fresh watercress salad. The flavors were all in point. The meat was moist and flavorful while the tostada shell added a perfect crunch to the dish. I love how well the watercress paired with the dish too. Amazing meal and a great price! Two days later I came back for the Porchetta with pickled fennel and vegetarian Ratatouille! The Porchetta was nice and tender with a light crisp on the outside skin. Just looking at the Ratatouille you could see that each slice of vegetable was hand cut and placed in an overlapping fashion. It was beautiful as it was tasty! So heres 5 stars to this hidden gem of a cafe tucked in the mountain side of Kaneohe!

One day when I went to my physical therapist, I was waiting for my appointment and watching one of those local morning news shows and they featured a cafe at Windward Community College called Uala Leaf Cafe. Now, this is in my neck of the woods and I was surprised I hadn't heard of this place before. I looked it up on the internet and perused the menu. Some basic items, burgers, sandwiches, tofu fries?...salads, wraps, and weekly specials. Some healthy choices there and the prices were very reasonable...heck they were really cheap! I was going to be heading out to work after my appointment but decided, hey, why not pick up lunch?

So I headed over the majestic Koolaus, winding my way down the LIkelike, and turning on to Kahekili Highway. Headed up towards the middle of the campus, good thing there was a sign pointing the way and parked by Hale Akoakoa, the campus center. Again, lots of signs so it was easy to find. The only thing is, I was a bit too early. The cafe is open from 1 to 1:30 daily on weekdays and I had 15 minutes to wait. I sat down at a nearby bench and watched the grass grow...lol Not really, but 15 minutes seems like a long time when no one is around. Finally, 11:00 came and I waited to see if there was a rush of people...nope. I walked in and there were two people that walked in also. I checked out the food...there's a couple of hot dishes behind the counter and I guess the rest is made to order. I let a girl go before me. She orders the tofu fries..as a snack? At least I get to see it. Kind of looks like regular fries but you can tell it's not potato. I wait to see if she is going to put on ketchup...well, you never know...but she takes it and walks off. I'm up next. I'm on this healthy kick so I order the Homestyle Grilled Veggies with Quinoa for $5.50. The menu says the dish has zucchini, onion, carrot, eggplant, yellow squash, red bell pepper, served with quinoa and comes with a mixed green salad with dressing. They bring a steaming tray of the veggies to the front, so I know it's freshly made. While I'm waiting, I look at what else they offer. I see some spam musubi that you can just grab to go and there's a small case with desserts. I pick up a coffee jello...hey, gotta have some dessert to go with lunch, right? That's important! I pick up my container. It's not really that large, maybe about half a plate lunch size but it is hefty. I take my food to the cashier and I pay $7.50..is that a deal or what?

As soon as I get to work and I'm settled, I open up the plate. Beautiful colors from the veggies and they're sitting on a bed of quinoa. Nice mixed salad with dressing right next to it. i take a bite of the veggies, then a bite of the quinoa. It's good! Very tasty and not at all what I thought it would taste like. The veggies have been seasoned with spices and that comes through. I believe the quinoa was cooked with broth? Anyway, it's yummy and I savor every bite. The portion is just right as I'm not a heavy eater (otherwise I would need a nap), plus that means I have room for the coffee jello. The jello is refreshing. The bitterness of coffee with some sweetness and the whipped topping on top combine for a treat that is light and a great way to end the meal. I'm satisfied and I didn't spend a lot of money and I'm ready to go to work right after.

The verdict? Uala Leaf Cafe is a great place to get lunch if they have what you are looking for. It will cater to people who want some easy stuff to grab and go and people who may be interested in the few daily specials they offer. Some unique healthy items will attract vegetarians and people watching what they eat. The only drawback is the limited hours that they are open. Unless you are a student or not working during these times, you are out of luck. I would really want to get to go back to try some of the other menu items but I'm usually stuck at work. And the pricing is really affordable. I know if I were a student, I would eat there every day. If you have the opportunity and are nearby, check out this small cafe hidden away on this Windward Campus. Take in the beauty of the Koolaus and eat some good affordable food.

Pretty nice little on campus cafe* When I went there wasn't that much to choose from but this cafe is cute with a tv and everything. Speedy service and on the campus of Windward Community College. I like the round tables that everyone can sit on and they place good shows on their little television in there. LOL The food is regular price and they service like musubis, breakfast foods, energy drinks, soda, juice, ceral, milk, you know...When I go back to WCC's campus I will buy a musubi again. LOL

Uala Leaf Cafe is the best bargain on the windward side ! Everything is under $6 ! I go there because they always have healthy , vegetarian options. I saw that they are a Blue Zones Project Approved Restaurant which also makes me want to support them and the University .

I had the lechon kawali, a Filipino pork dish that was just awesome. The pieces of pork, tomato and onions were cut into perfect sizes where each bite was a blast on my taste buds. If I worked on the windward side I would eat there more often.

Not what you expect from a cafeteria tucked away in a community college in Kaneohe. Their daily menu, albeit simple, never fails to surprise me. Kale salad with miso dressing, Chioppino with toast, Baked fish with artichokes. Excellent vegetarian choices. Come on this not a $6 lunch. In another setting, Uala Leaf Cafe, lets say a café in a museum, with its well heeled, sophisticated patrons, it menu and food quality and imagination would stand up on its own and would be a popular chic restaurant. Open your eyes you are on a very beautiful campus on the base of the Koolau's having a fantastic lunch prepared with a lot of love.