Sacred Hearts Academy is surrounded by a multitude of healthy restaurants and stores, which helps reinforce the theme of healthy living of the 5210 program.
From Moiliili to Kahala, mom and pop shops, ethnic restaurants and health food stores offer menus filled with a variety of healthy dishes and organic produce.
Jewel or Juice and Lanikai Juice offer fresh fruit bowls and smoothies in the area, popular gathering spots for students who want a place to study and eat inexpensive, refreshing snacks.
Diamond Head Grill near Kapiolani Community College features local favorites, such as teriyaki steak and portobello mushroom burgers, as well as a variety of healthy plates including fish with salad, and pastas. The Grill also has a market which sells fruits, vegetarian dishes and desserts.
Aloha Salads is located in Kahala Mall next to the biggest health food store in the state, Whole Foods. The menu is full of salads and soups. Customers can create any type of salad from the salad bar.
Junior Megan Wellman said, “I really enjoy their tomato soup and Caesar salad. I like how they make my salad in front of me so that I know that the vegetables are fresh. I can also learn how they make their salads so that I can create my own salads at home.”
Whole Foods and Umeke Market are health food grocery stores which are a block apart and which sell organic produce.
Whole Foods sells almost everything from local designer clothing lines, vitamins, hot foods and pre-made cold foods to beverages.
Junior Caroline Kikkawa said, “My favorite grocery store is Whole Foods. Although they are not cheap, they have the freshest vegetables and fruits. They support local farms and businesses, which is great for our community.”
Junior Angela Wong agreed. “I especially love Whole Foods’ pizza. The dough used is healthier than other stores and their ingredients are fresh. It just tastes so good!”
Umeke Market is locally owned. It is a small health shop which also sells hot foods, vegetables, fruits and vitamins, many of the same products as Whole Foods.
Close to the edge of Kaimuki there is another health food store, Down To Earth.
Robotics teacher, Chelsea Harder, said, “My favorite health food store is Down To Earth. They sell all local and organic goods, which I like to support. They make delicious vegetarian food which I like because I am a vegetarian. They also hold health food cooking classes which I attend, where I learn how to cook a wide variety of healthy dishes.”
