Most Famous Leonard’s Bakery

Ron Wong, a reliable and well-recommended tour guide in Honolulu according to online reviews, picked us up at 8:30 am.  He greeted Oyen with a lei of fresh plumeria flowers and a Hello Kitty doll.   That was a nice gesture and it kind of set the happy mood for her birthday celebration.

We were surprised that he brought a big van for just the four of us.  This assured us that our long drive to Honolulu’s countryside would be comfortable.

Upon Oyen’s prior request,  our first stop was at the famous Leonard’s Bakery in Kapahulu Avenue to taste the malasadas and pao doce the family owners have been making since 1952

History of Leonard’s Bakery
In June 1882 the British sailing ship ‘Monarch’ brought Arsenio and Amelia DoRego from San Miguel Island, Portugal to Maui, Hawai’i under contract to work the sugar cane fields. Some 33 years later, their grandson Leonard was born. In 1946 Leonard and his wife Margaret moved to Honolulu with their daughter Diane, age 8. Leonard worked at Snowflake Bakery until he founded Leonard’s Bakery℠ in 1952.

Leonard and Margaret were no strangers to hard work, both coming from very large families. The bakery prospered. Not long after opening, Leonard’s mother suggested making malasadas for Shrove Tuesday – a Portuguese tradition. Although thinking it may be too ethnic, Leonard’s bakers complied. Malasadas were a huge hit. And, the appetite for malasadas in Hawaii was born.

Welcome to this famous bakery

When we reached Leonard’s there were two other similar tourist vans parked alongside the road and around twenty people waiting in line.

We bought half dozen malasadas that looked like donut with a hole.  Nyke and I bought hotdog in a bun.   Edmund tried something else plus coffee.

The malasadas were very soft, warm because freshly baked.  I could only finish one kasi yung loob parang ang bigat sa tyan.

The birthday girl, looking excited.

Leonard’s Bakery
Address: 933 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816, United States
Phone:(808) 737-5591
Open: 5:30 am – 11:00 pm