Waikiki may be viewed by many a kamaaina as a conglomeration of concrete fortresses and tourist lairs, but it’s still one of the most interesting places on Oahu to go exploring on foot. Look down various alleyways and you’ll find optimistic entrepreneurs running quaint little businesses … of the legit variety.

In one of those blink-and-you-might-miss-it moments, at 2410 Koa Ave. behind the Hyatt Regency Waikiki, you’ll find a cute little Japanese restaurant, Hana No Sato ("Peach Flower Village" in Nagano), that tends to fill up fast at meal times.

On the lunch menu are a handful of noodle and curry bowls for $6.48 to $10.48.

In the evening find sushi rolls, izakaya-style dishes and dinner sets. Seafood dynamite is $11, and simple but delicious grilled squid is $10. A spicy tuna roll will cost you $7, and rainbow roll is $12.

For those who don’t want to make a lot of decisions, a tuna dinner set ($16) comprises about six ounces of ahi sashimi served with miso soup, rice, cucumbers and pickled vegetables. It’s just right for a light eater.

Open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. daily. Call 922-9635.

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