Princeville restaurant delivers lively surf setting, great food and warm vibes
I must own up to this right off the bat: I’m a longtime fan of Todd Rundgren. So my trip to Tiki Iniki is certainly spurred by this bias. I couldn’t possibly visit Kauai and not go to this little North Shore bar and restaurant owned and operated by the musician and his wife Michele, right?
Well, of course I go. I manage to be the first customer in the door for lunch at 11 a.m. Friday, May 7. I choose an outdoor patio table with a view of all angles. A steady parade of customers follows me in.
Caesar salad 
Fish and chips 
Spam can with bill 
Hanalei Sling
On this morning, party liquor is a must
It is still the morning but I am in Hawaii, so I have no hesitation ordering the Hanalei Sling, which is beautiful, delightful and exotically tastier than your run-of-the-mill Singapore Sling (I want another one but, damn … I am here solo and I’m driving).
One disclosure: My server Teddy lets me know immediately that no chicken items on the menu are available. It’s a bit surprising but understandable, considering the pandemic, the sudden influx of tourists, the road conditions on the North Shore — possibly many obstacles in play (the irony of having chickens and roosters running around doesn’t escape me). So it is not a disappointment, and I opt for fish and chips, along with a caesar salad. Excellent choices — both are extremely delish.
Meeting Mrs. R: An indication of my determination
I am hoping to meet Michele Rundgren during my visit. My best approach, I figure, is to relax, enjoy lunch and innocently ask my friendly server Teddy if Michele is in the house and is willing to meet me for a quick chat and some selfies. I’m pleasantly surprised when he answers that she is there, and that he’ll check into it. Teddy returns to say she will be out in a few minutes. Rock on!
Michele pops out to greet me — I nervously introduce myself as an old fan from California. We quickly chat — she is very lovely and gracious — and also says she is busy this day doing payroll. She notes that voting for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame had just closed that week, and the following week we’d be learning if her husband would make it as a RRHOF inductee in 2021. I think I tell her I’ll keep my fingers crossed. Who knows? Perhaps it is good luck. Just days later it is announced that Todd Rundgren will be among the 2021 class of inductees.
We huddle for three quick photos with Teddy operating my iPhone. She has to get back to work, but later as I go back inside to head for the door she yells out, “Bye, Christy!”
“Bye, Michele — Mahalo!”
It's My Serve 