Oceanfront restaurant names Lahaina hospitality veteran as General Manager

Māla Ocean Tavern has named Lisa Kerrick as General Manager of the oceanfront restaurant.  “Kerrick comes to MĀLA with years of experience in the restaurant industry, enthusiasm for a career in food and beverage, and the drive to continue to maintain MĀLA as a favorite in dining for locals and guests of Lahaina, Maui,” the restaurant announced.

Originally from Mount Shasta, California, Kerrick originally came to Maui on a gap year during college. What was intended to be one year, turned into 20.  Kerrick found a home on Maui through her passions on the island and finding a career in the busy restaurant industry.  She honed her skills working her way through the ranks of restaurant management on the westside in the TS family and spending many years at Kāʻanapali’s beach hot spot Hula Grill. 

Relocating to Maui gave Kerrick the opportunity to become a member of the Kahana Canoe Club that helped her get settled on the island. Being an athlete is a big part of who she is, and her ʻohana at the Kahana Canoe Club gave her support and taught her valuable life lessons along the way.

She relates working in food and beverage to the athleticism that drives her, saying “Much of what I love about the food and beverage industry is synchronized with my athleticism. The challenge, the energy, the creativity, the people. I can’t pick just one thing, it’s all of it.” 

Kerrick spends much of her time at the starting line, but on land more than in the water these days, adding “Running half marathons and marathons is my idea of a good time.  I love the challenge of it all and not knowing what could happen on game day.”

Taking on a new challenge in the restaurant world, she has joined the growing team at the ever evolving Maui staple restaurant, Māla Ocean Tavern, stepping in as the General Manager.

MĀLA is known for being a destination for celebrations of all kinds and it is not hard for Kerrick to get on board with the vibe and style of the oceanfront eatery. When asked what drew her to MĀLA, she said, “MĀLA reminds me of the reason I was drawn to the Food and Beverage industry as a career path. Making those special moments happen, making connections, making peoples day.  MĀLA is unique as is the service provided.”

Kerrick steps in for former GM Rob Farrell, who is expanding with the restaurateurs with a new project coming to Lahaina in October. Co-Owner Caleb Hopkins said, “We could not be more thrilled to have Lisa Kerrick as the new General Manager at MĀLA. Her experience, attitude, and enthusiasm cannot be compared… We see her taking Māla Ocean Tavern into the next phase of its reinvention, being one of the trendiest spots for all ages on Maui. We are thrilled to have her leading the restaurant and the staff.”

Looking ahead to MĀLA’s future, Kerrick wants to continue what the restaurant has already started with being a restaurant for everyone and for any occasion, catering for local events, participating in beach clean ups, and more.

“We are a well versed staff of professionals, our individuality shows in the drinks we pour, the service we provide, and food we present, and it’s exciting to be a part of it,” said Kerrick.