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Waioli Tea Room
Founded in 1922, Waioli Team Room is an iconic go-to destination for breakfast lovers or anyone who wants to binge eat almond croissants, pastries and pies. According to the official website, Waioli Team Room is located in Manoa Valley, and was conceived as a vocational training facility for the orphans housed at the Salvation Army Girls Home that was also located on the Manoa Campus.
Get a taste of Waioli Team Room as the video walks you through the mission of this classic eatery!
Old Vintage Salvation Army Waioli Tea Room Then and Now
History
The young women from the girls home staffed and operated the restaurant. They were provided with the opportunity to learn the skills of cooking, cleaning, food service and hospitality which were considered to provide a valuable head start into the work world and self-reliance after they had aged out of the program.
There are many young women who grew up at the orphanage and found the time at Waioli to have made a significant impact in their lives and helped pave the way for viable employment in the Hawaiian Islands.
The Tea Room operated with this mission until the early 1970’s when the orphanage closed as the state developed the foster care programs that are in place today. For the next 40 years, the building had many operators but never recaptured the sense of purpose that was its foundation for the first 50 years.
Opened in 1922, The Salvation Army named this place Waioli Tea Room. In November 2018, new owners Ross and Stefanie Anderson took over the space and renamed the historical tea room, Waioli Kitchen and Bake Shop.
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Citations
Hawaii Magazine, 2019
Waioli Tea Room Website
ARCHIVES
Our Waioli Tea Room Experience
Location & Parking
Fun Fact!
Did you know that some of Waioli Team Room's staff members were hired to lead better lives after being imprisoned?
Experience
When we first walked into Waioli Tea Room, we were definitely overwhelmed by how busy it was! However, due to the fact that it is such a historical, popular location, it was perfectly explainable! We were surrounded by comfort and nostalgia. The interior design looked and felt very homey. It is best to order as soon as you arrive. We stood in line for 20 minutes, waiting and was exciting to try their pastries. It was all of our first times and the workers were so accommodating. When we asked which pastries to buy, they recommended the almond croissants. As we took our order and sat down, we noticed many more historical photos of what Waioli Tea Room used to look like. Definitely would come back again to try more of their menu items and soak in the history.
Favorite Dishes
Almond Croissants
This bakery item was recommended by one of the workers! It is a warm croissant with toasted almonds on the outside and oozy milk chocolate on the inside! It was exquisite!
Banana Macnut Pancakes
Fluffy pancakes with personally grown 'Mānoa bananas' and toasted macnuts sprinkled on top. However, it was the coconut syrup drizzled on top of the pancakes that made it top-tier!!
Price Range
$
The bakery items ranged from $3 to $5, while regular dishes ranged from $10 to $15.
