While we were in Hawaii, we stop by a couple other businesses, and we wanted to make sure to tell you about these as well.
First of the remaining Nerd Taste of Hawaii is Thailand Cuisine located at 1819 S. Kihei Road, Kihei, HI 96753.
Thailand Cuisine is a little restaurant in a shopping center, the same center as Outrigger Pizza Company who we wrote about prior. In fact, when we went found Outrigger, we were trying to go to Thailand Cuisine but they were closed, and usually are between the time of lunch and dinner.
When you enter Thailand Cuisine, it feels like you’ve entered into another world. The design, and woodwork inside the establishment sets the mood.
Our group primarily has two items that we always get whenever we eat Thai food: Pineapple Curry and Pad Thai.
Normally Monica gets shrimp in her curry, but at Thailand Cuisine you have the option of fresh Mahi Mahi, and she did not turn that down! The Pad Thai was refreshing, and had the perfect kick from the Thai chilies.
A lot of U.S. Citizens don’t know about the U.S. and Hawaii connection to Thailand.
So, for that reason, here is a brief history lesson:
- Hawaii has a long history with Thailand, Siam prior to 1949, having started while Hawaii was still a monarchy, and prior to U.S. rule. In the 1880’s King Kalakaua visited Siam during a trip around the world. King Chulalongkorn, ruler of Siam, showered King Kalakaua with respect and admiration. The U.S. had a relationship with Siam since the 1833 Treaty of Amity and Commerce, and have continued to be a fruitful relationship.
- King Prajadhipok, ruler of Siam, visited the Hawaiian monarchy in the 1930’s. Then King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit, rulers of Thailand, visited in the the U.S. state Hawaii, having been recently aquired, in the 1960’s.
- In 1967, King Bhumibol shipped a sala, which is a traditional Thai pavilion, to Honolulu, Hawaii as a gift. The sala, named “Pratinang Patiharn Tasanai” (Throne of the Miracle Vision), is one of four pavilions outside Thailand to hold the king’s royal seal.
- During the Cold War, and at the height of the Vietnam War the U.S. stationed 50,000 troops in Thailand. While the Thai community only represents around %3 of the Hawaiian population, after the Vietnam War in 1975, Hawaii saw an influx of immigrants from Southeast Asia, and returning U.S. soldiers which brought with them popular Thai and Vietnamese food staples, permanently affected Hawaiian cuisine.
That being said, as a result of their community bond, and the immigration into the U.S., the Thai food in Hawaii is some of the best, and accurate that you will be able to find. So if you’re from a landlocked state, without any real Thai food, I definitely recommend grabbing some Thai food at least once during your visit.
That being said, if you’re anywhere near Kihei, and looking for a delicious place to eat, check out Thailand Cuisine you will not be disappointed!
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