Thunderstorm Artis, a Hale‘iwa-born singer-songwriter, is making waves in Nashville after finishing in the top five on American Idol this year.
As he prepares for a homecoming performance at Blue Note Hawai‘i on June 27, Artis reflects on the comforts of his beloved home, particularly the local cuisine that holds a special place in his heart.
Upon arriving in Hawaii, Artis often finds himself craving a poke bowl from Foodland or the Waialua General Store, known for its delicious steak plates and fresh poke bowls.
He shares, “Oh man, the first thing I do is go to Foodland and grab a poke bowl or go to Waialua General Store on the North Shore—I’ve got to have that right away.”
Artis also highlights his wife’s favorite treat, saying, “My wife always loves going to Matsumoto’s for shave ice.”
His deep connection with the local food scene continues as he mentions stopping by Zippy’s for their famed chili and rice, a staple he always looks forward to enjoying upon his return home.
Living on the mainland, Artis admits that he misses the simplicity of poke bowls from Hawaii.
“I hope nobody gets upset, but the way they do poke bowls on the mainland includes so many toppings like corn, lettuce, etc. And I just want rice, fish, maybe a little sauce—and they look at me like, ‘Really? That’s it?'”
Perhaps the most disheartening revelation for him is encountering frozen fish in poke bowls, which feels far from the fresh offerings he cherishes in Hawaii.
During his time filming American Idol in Hawaii, Artis found some opportunities to show the crew and contestants a taste of his local favorites.
While time was limited, Artis and his wife explored the North Shore, stopping at Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck and visiting a cousin’s restaurant nearby.
Artis also points to other local spots he enjoyed, including Farm to Barn Café for healthy meals, Kua ‘Aina Sandwich & Burgers, and Fatboy’s, highlighting the vibrant food culture of his home.
“Monkeypod Kitchen was my go-to during the show because it was right across from Aulani—so many good places I can’t wait to visit again,” he reminisces.
With a 2-year-old son who is growing old enough to enjoy food, Artis expresses excitement about sharing these local culinary delights with him in the future.
As he prepares to return to Nashville, Artis is also thinking about gifts for friends from the mainland, ensuring they can experience a taste of Hawaiian culture.
He jokingly mentions wanting to share local snacks and delicacies, wishing he could fly out fresh fish for a true poke experience.
As Thunderstorm Artis continues his journey in the music industry, his roots remain strongly intertwined with the Hawaiian culture that nourished his spirit and palate.
image source from：honolulumagazine
