Kalapaki Joe’s Po‘ipū

Chicken and Waffles

Kalapaki Joe’s is the Westernmost Sports Bar in the United States. Not just football and basketball, the big ones, but all the sports: extreme sports, skateboard, snow sports, hunting and fishing, soccer, MMA, the Olympics, boxing, baseball, surfing and all other watersports.

I bet if you ask for it, they can call it up on one of the 20 TVs hanging around at the Po‘ipū location. If you can get it in Hawai‘i, you can watch it at Kalapaki Joe’s. You can even see the ocean from the dining room, and overlook a tennis court under the bay windows.

Football is by far the biggest draw, with professional games on Monday, Thursday and Sunday, and college ball on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. I probably didn’t need to tell most of you that, but it’s news to me: Sunday, Sept. 11, is the first Sunday game, and people will be lined up early to get a seat and watch the game in KJ’s friendly setting.

A classic Bloody Mary, spicy and strong, sitting before a wall of surf stickers and posters. The bar also serves a large range of draft beers.

Owner Jody Valente describes the Kalapaki Joe’s Happy Hour as “aggressive.” Happy Hour is 3-6 p.m. daily with $2 off draft beers and house wine, $2 off appetizers, $5 cocktails, $3 fish tacos, and $1 shrimp tempura! And my personal and slightly embarrassing weakness: 25-cent chicken wings!

Jody has been in the restaurant business his whole life. His first job was as a busboy at Brennecke’s and he’s done every restaurant job there is. When thinking about his own restaurant, Jody says, “I want my place to be like the garage where you see all your friends hanging out,” a comfortable and inviting hangout. Kalapaki Joe’s started in 2008, and is now a locals-focused sports bar with lots of regulars and a longtime staff.

Jody is a hands-on restaurateur. He came up with food and drink recipes, the art for the menus and the building’s design. He made the tables and all the repairs. The restaurant is well cared, with an open floor plan, high ceilings, wide windows, sports memorabilia and comfy couches.

Kalapaki Joe’s menu is a grand tour of items from all over, with three choices of poke, avocado, wasabi, nachos, Brussels sprouts, tacos, short ribs, hearty salads, fresh fish, burgers, sandwiches and many more lunch and dinner dishes.

Kalapaki Joe’s is open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., with Happy Hour from 3-6 p.m. Breakfast is served 7-11 a.m. Wednesday-Saturday they host live Hawaiian music. Visit www.kalapakijoes.com for more information.

• Anni Caporuscio is a food lover and can be found daily at her Kapa‘a business, Small Town Coffee.