Aulani’s ‘Olelo Room a stunning spot with just a touch of Disney

I chose the ‘Olelo Room for a pau hana spot based on a mistaken impression. Reading the menu too quickly, I thought the “Sunset Hour” menu numbered a full 11 items. No, only two items are discounted from 5 to 7 nightly, and no drinks.

Still, I’d recommend this lounge at the Aulani in Ko Olina (full name Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa) as an early evening respite, for a couple of reasons: The bar may be the prettiest I’ve ever seen, and one of those two menu items may be the best cocktail pupu I’ve ever had.

THE ENVIRONMENT

The bar is a striking showcase for a vocabulary lesson in the Hawaiian language. Picture an arrangement of shadow boxes — the type you might use to display mementos of your senior prom — each filled with a carved item and its name, both fashioned in wood.

These boxes hang behind and above the bar, and are lit beautifully to create a warm glow in the evening. It is stunning — and educational, as you could quiz yourself as you eat and drink.

The display is also an illustration of the bar’s name — olelo means language, or to speak.

Seating is along the bar and on tables both indoors and on the large patio, where Hawaiian music is played from 6 to 9:30 p.m. daily. During our visit, there were several spontaneous hula performances from people in the audience inspired to get up and sway.

You’re just a few steps from the beach here, and the Aulani is circled in paths that cut through a tropical landscape. It’s great for wandering and just feeling you’ve escaped the hustle and bustle. And it’s family friendly, being Disney.

A $37 minimum purchase gets you four free hours of validated parking, which provides a cushion for walking along the beach.

THE FOOD

The must-have dish here is the popcorn fries, and don’t laugh. This combo ($6) of crisp french fries and hurricane popcorn is a magical thing. So simple, why doesn’t everyone serve this? Why didn’t I think of it? Of course it is ramped up a bit, buttered and mixed with arare, furikake, strips of nori, green onions and wasabi oil. It’s a perfect bar food. You want them. You’ll eat the whole bowl. Seriously, this should be a Hawaii staple, like Spam musubi.

The other Sunset Hour special is a plate of chicken wings ($9), perked up with chilies and garlic.

The regular appetizer menu comprises a half-dozen items priced from $16 to $18. We tried the kalua pork gratin, a crock of smoky, cheesy gooeyness served as a dip with naan bread. It also works as a dip with those popcorn fries.

A trio of sliders is pretty standard, little burgers on sweet buns, but each burger bears a touch o’ Disney — an image of Mickey Mouse toasted into the top.

The Paniolo Twin-Tenderloin Brochette is two grilled sticks of beef tips with a chimichurri sauce, served with onion rings and an aioli with a bright and unusual flavor, from preserved lemon.

Still hungry? They’ve also got poke, vegan tacos (quinoa, black beans and corn) and fried calamari.

And kids get a piece of the experience with their own menu: mac and cheese, chicken and waffles, or a Mickey ice cream sandwich ($6-$8).

THE DRINK

Cocktails run $14 to $16, and the three we tried were tropically festive and satisfying. The Ke Ahi, a tequila drink, was smartly heated up with shisito pepper and a dusting of the Japanese spices shichimi and togarashi on the rim. Our mai tai and a gin drink, Hanalei by the Bay, with elderflower liqueur, lime juice and tonic, were refreshing, with just the right blend of fruit and sweetness. For Instagram purposes, have any drink in a pineapple for $9 more.

Wines start at $11 a glass and lean toward California labels. Beer is $7 to $9, with a number of choices from local breweries.

THE VERDICT

If “happy hour” in your mind means discounts, this is not the place for you. Two people will easily spend the $37 minimum for parking validation. But if “happy hour” to you means an hour-plus of happiness in a charming spot where your kids are welcome, and with the promise of a moonlight stroll in the sand afterward — bingo.