Manoli’s Pizza Company features family-style dining. Photo courtesy of Manoli’s Pizza Company.

By Sonia Isotov

Restaurateur Aaron Placourakis will open Manoli’s Pizza Company on Monday, July 23 at the former location of Matteo’s Pizzeria in Wailea.

Manoli’s Pizza Company will feature family-style dining in the 3,000 square foot dining area that features a view of the 15th hole of the Wailea Old Blue Golf Course.

Embracing Aaron’s passion for family, Manoli’s Pizza Company was created with family in mind. Named after Aaron’s father, Manoli Placourakis, and Aaron’s son Manoli, born on Maui in 2004, family is at the heart of the restaurant’s concept where all salads and pizzas will be served “family style.”

Manoli’s overlooks the 15th hole of the Wailea Old Blue Golf Course. Photo courtesy of Manoli’s Pizza Company.

Placourakis hopes to fill a niche in Wailea with his community-focused, family friendly, casual restaurant that serves organic-based dishes. The menu prices range from $6 to $26 and keiki meals include all you can eat cheese pizza, beverage, and dessert starting at “99 cents plus the child’s age.”

“As big Manoli used to say, ‘Treat your friends like family, and your family like friends.’ That’s what we strive for here at Manoli’s,” said Placourakis.

Focusing on fresh and organic cuisine, the menu at Manoli’s will consist of pizzas and salads made with sustainable products, from organic pizza dough to locally grown lettuce leaves and even organic wines. Maui grown ingredients grace the menu such as Kula Farm Greens, Surfing Goat Dairy cheese, Olowalu Carrots, Hana avocados and much more. Sauces and dough are homemade from scratch.

The restaurant is named after Aaron’s father, Manoli, and also his son, Manoli, picture here. Photo courtesy of Manoli’s Pizza Company.

Aaron Placourakis is the president and chief executive officer of Tri-Star Restaurant Group, LLC with award winning restaurants Nick’s Fishmarket Maui at the world-renowned Fairmont Kea Lani Resort in Wailea, Sarento’s Top of the “I” in Waikiki, Sarento’s on the Beach in Kihei and Son’z at Swan Court in the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa.

Placourakis has held the position of Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Hawaii Restaurant Association and was also a board member for many years with Hawaii Food Bank. He currently employs approximately 200 island residents through his four restaurants and expects to hire 40 employees at Manoli’s.

Eleven different pizzas with varying ingredients are served on handcrafted organic wheat crust or whole grain gluten-free crust. From traditional cheese or Build-Your-Own to stand out specials such as The Hawaiian Honey which is topped with house-made honey smoked ham, Maui Gold caramelized pineapple, organic homemade pomodoro sauce, mozzarella and toasted macadamia nuts, Manoli’s has a pizza style for everyone.

Manoli’s Pizza Company will be open for lunch and dinner seven days a week from 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m. Manoli’s offers a full bar with beer, wine, and cocktails. Happy hour is daily from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and again starting at 9 p.m.