From Hawaii Tea Review


Join us for a visit to two of Oahu's finest tea rooms. The Wai'oli tea review follows the Moana article.
By Dawn and Luther Dawn is Queen Mum of the Royal Poinciana Princesses and member of The Afternoon Tea Society Luther is official photographer and webmaster for both organizations. All photos by Luther.

Welcome to tea at the elegant First Lady of Waikiki. Moana means ocean, and this historic hotel, completed in 1901, is the first grand hotel on Waikiki beach. Their historian makes it clear that the Royal Hawaiian, known as the Pink Lady, is a relative new comer to the beach. Over the century, many new hotels joined the shore line but the Moana retains its true elegance and luxury of years gone by. As you arrive at the entrance, be careful not to step on the bride's train, as more that twenty brides a day arrive at the Moana. The Moana serves tea at The Banyan Veranda Monday through Saturday, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday: 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Making reservation at least the day before is recommended. Moana Tea Room Web Page
	Before keeping your tea appointment, go upstairs to the tour center and take a delightful tour presented by Tony, the hotel's historian. When you receive your tour brochure, notice the 15% off coupon for the Banyan Veranda and other sites in Waikiki. You won't find this coupon in the tourist magazines and it will save you money on your afternoon tea. Tours are M-W-F at 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM.
At the end of the tour we were served a special (and secret) tea blend served only to guest as they arrive, and to tour members as they leave. You cannot order this fruited black tea blend but many try as it is quite delicious. The view of the beach, the Banyan tree, and the elegant architecture of the early 1900's makes this hotel unique to the many modern towers that surround it.
	A plaque on the veranda carries this invitation to all: "Each day The First Lady of Waikiki celebrates the ritual of Afternoon Tea devised in 1830 by Anna the Seventh Duchess of Bedford. Transcend the boundaries of time by joining us at The Banyan Veranda as we perpetuate this time honored tradition amidst the historical elegance of the Sheraton Moana Surfrider."
A friend and her baby joined us as we arrived for the first seating of the day, so the Veranda was quiet and we leisurely spent the afternoon visiting while enjoying the sights, sounds, and tastes of Hawaii. Our friend was delighted to get away in such elegance and the little one was good as gold. The Moana also offers a keiki tea party for children.
	The Queen Mum of the Royal Poinciana Princesses goes Hawaiian, but stays true to her Red Hat Society colors of purple and red. Her purple Mu'u Mu'u was purchased at Hilo Hattie, known as the Store of Hawaii. In place of the traditional red hat, she is wearing a band of red Hibiscus flowers in her hair.
Our attentive waiter brought us eight samples of teas and we set out to pick our favorite. Great detail is provided as to the herb, fruit, and tea blend of each flavor. Each guest has their own teapot and can select a different tea. We discovered that our waiter was an AlohaJoe fan. He found AlohaJoe's Internet radio station while in college in New England, and has been a listener since. You can join him in listening to Hawaiian music at http://www.alohajoe.com.
	The aroma gives you a true sense of the tea's flavor. Her smile tells us she has found her favorite, the Moana Royale tea. Some of the interesting offerings include the Moana Sunset, Surfrider Serenade, and Veranda Breeze. Since we where fascinated with several of the unique blends, so we each selected a different tea and shared the teapots.
The savories included Fococcia Bread with Westphalian Ham, Mini Croissants with Turkey Salad, and Open-faced Smoke Salmon Roll. The table compliments include a lemon squeezer to keep your fingers dry.
	The traditional three tier plate server acts as the center piece of your table, decorated with colorful and delicious sweets. The Scones with Devonshire Cream and Preserves were delightful. The colorful sweet pastries include Chocolate Isabelle, Fruit Tart, Cream Puff and Chocolate dipped Macaroon.
Your tea stays hot in the heavy tea pots and before it cools, more hot water is on its way. Like most hotels, the tea leaves remained in the pot and the tea becomes stronger with time. However, the blends we selected did not become bitter. Our Afternoon tea ended with a Kaffir Lime-Lemon Grass Enhanced Green Tea Sorbet and a lovely Sandalwood fan memento.
	If our glowing description of the afternoon leaves you with any doubt, then let us confirm that we highly recommend the Moana tea during your next trip to Waikiki.


By Dawn and Luther Dawn is Queen Mum of the Royal Poinciana Princesses and member of The Afternoon Tea Society Luther is official photographer and webmaster for both organizations. All photos by Luther except for noted scene from Blue Hawaii.

The historic Wai'oli Tea Room stands on The Salvation Army property in Manoa Valley, tucked away in Oahu's beautiful "Valley of the Rainbows" The tea room was originally built as a classroom in 1922 for the Salvation Army Children’s Home. The original home was established in 1909 to “rescue” girls born illegitimately, from broken homes and whose parents were unable to care for them. Later the Wai‘oli Tea Room was founded to teach the girls how to cook and bake. The Wai'oli is in the State and National Registries of Historic Places. Another claim to fame was the use of the property for a movie scene in Blue Hawaii, staring Elvis Presley. Wai'oli Tea Room is open Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wai'oli Tea Room Web Page
	Upon its completion, Honolulu’s elite dined fashionably with afternoon tea in a enchanting tropical setting. Today, it is now known as a treasured hideaway among locals and visitors.
You can dine on the lanai with tropic plants in every view. The tea room is surrounded by palms and plants that gives the lanai a completely secluded feeling. You have no impression that a busy city is nearby.
	Or you can dine indoors but still enjoy the breeze from the open access to the lanai.
The lava rock structure is evident in every room adding a rustic charm to the decor.
	Your server shares a variety of green and herb teas from which to chose. Each guest has a different and unique tea pot.
The food looked too good for the photographer to pass up, so the camera was passed to one of the staff.
	The savory tray is the most colorful we have seen. The colorful specialty breads baked on the premises are the pink Guava Bread, the yellow Lilikoi Bread and the Wheat Bread.
The sweets include Waioli's Original Date Bar, Cinnamon-Raisin Shortbread and Lemon-Chiffon Cake.
	Before you leave, check out the shop filled with tea, tea service, and souvenirs.
The view from the shop is one found only in a tropical paradise. The grounds are filled with tropical plants and flowers. The view of the mountain rising steeply above you reminds you that you are truly in a valley .
	Special events are hosted in the formal dinning room. The room is very popular for wedding receptions. The Wai'loi Chapel in only a few yard away and a favorite for small weddings.

The well structure just outside the tea room was used in the 1960 filming of the movie, Blue Hawaii, staring Elvis Presley.
The wishing well as it stands today.	- and -	The well from the movie 45 years ago.

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