New F&B Director and Executive Chef Join Travaasa Hana

Two culinary leadership positions at Travaasa Hana, the resort on Maui’s eastern shore, have been filled.

Sharon Jahns, new Director of Food and Beverage at Travaasa Hana.

Sharon Jahns is joining the team as Director of Food and Beverage.  She served as general manager at Joe’s in Wailea for the last 15 years. Prior to that, Jahns was general manager at Sam Choy’s in Lahaina. Jahns says she feels fortunate to be a new resident of the tight-knit Hana community, a special place she visited on family camping trips while growing up. She earned a B.A. in education from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and graduated from Baldwin High School.

Jason “Jay” Johnson, the new Executive Chef at Travaasa Hana.

Stepping into the kitchen as Executive Chef is Jason “Jay” Johnson.  He was most recently led the kitchen at the Volcano House Hotel, and has more than 20 years of culinary experience in Hawaiʻi Island restaurants and hotels, including Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows, Waikoloa Country Club Restaurant, Roy’s Bar and Grill, Uncle Billy’s Hilo Bay Restaurant, Fisherman’s Landing, and his own restaurants, Jay’s Island Tapas and Jay’s Cuisine. Johnson was born and raised in Hilo, and graduated from Hilo High School.

“We are very excited for Sharon and Jay to lead our culinary team into the next chapter,” said David MacIlwraith, general manager of Travaasa Hana. “We’re looking forward to enhancing our culinary offerings and increasing our support of the local ranchers, fishermen and farmers in Hana.”

As part of an ongoing food and beverage transition, Longhi’s will no longer manage dining outlets at Travaasa Hana. Instead, the resort will handle all F&B operations.