48-140 Kamehameha Highway; 239-2222; waiaholepoifactory.com. Open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Waiahole Poi Factory is a Windward Coast institution, family owned and operated since 1971.

“It was a poi factory first, then the food came later; they started serving Hawaiian food,” said manager Tina Wilson.

Entree choices are laulau, kalua pig, squid luau, beef luau and chicken long rice; desserts include kulolo, haupia, haupia ice cream or a combination of warmed kulolo and ice cream called Sweet Lady of Waiahole.

Waiahole Poi Factory’s poi is hand-pounded, not machine-milled, in keeping with the old ways, Wilson said. Poi is an option for a regular or combination plate or side order, to take home by the pound or to buy in bulk.

The top seller is the No. 1 combo plate with laulau and kalua pork, she said. Plate sizes and prices range from $7.50 for a mini up to the $18 Kanaka Nui plate, which fed a family of two young men and their writer- mother with a little bit left over.

Any protein can be ordered on the side, but side orders also include hard-to-find hoio (fern shoot) salad. Awa and mamaki tea are offered to drink in addition to the usual canned drinks.

The clientele is about half local and half visitors, and a bonus comes every other Friday at about 2 p.m., when Liko Hoe, son of owners Calvin and Charlene, plays ukulele after he is pau pounding poi for the day. He also teaches classes in making and playing Hawaiian nose flutes.