Hawaiʻi’s LunchBox Maui expands amid recovery, offering taste of resilience and aloha

On the heels of hardship and healing after Maui’s wildfires, one Maui food entrepreneur is baking up more than cookies—she’s feeding a movement. Heidi Cramer, a figure in Maui’s artisan food scene, is expanding her café concept LunchBox Maui to a second location in downtown Kahului this May.

The opening celebrates community, comeback, and the power of good food to reconnect people after crisis, according to a restaurant announcement.

“We’re not just opening a café,” Cramer said. “We’re reclaiming joy, rebuilding connection, and reminding our community—and our visitors—what it means to share aloha.”

Cramer’s culinary journey includes previous entrepreneurial launches of Makawao Baking Co. to Cakewalk Bakery in Pāʻia, to the current island crowd-favorite Maui Cookie Lab, known for its small-batch, handmade cookies that have become must-haves for both kamaʻāina and curious foodies.

With LunchBox Maui, she brings her vision full-circle: real food, made from scratch, with roots in Maui’s farming and maker community. The menu features freshly baked ciabatta for made-to-order sandwiches, quiche, salads, seasonal soups, and drip coffee from locally roasted Maui Oma beans — all made with the same care and creativity as her cookies.

“The cookies are still front and center—ready to be tucked into picnic baskets for trips to Hāna, slipped into beach bags headed for the west side, or packed for sunrise hikes on the North Shore,” according to a restaurant announcement.

“These aren’t just treats,” said Cramer. “They’re part of your day’s adventure — whether you’re exploring the island or sitting down for a moment of sweetness.”

LunchBox Maui in Kahului will be open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., serving:

• Lunch favorites including house-made ciabatta sandwiches, bread made in-house fresh daily and soups from chef partner The Aloha Lifestyle, with hearty salads and ingredients sourced from local farmers like upcountry Maui grown Lapaau Farm
• House made daily morning pastry, brekkie sandwiches, and quiche
• Freshly brewed coffee and in-house baked Classic Cookies featuring Maui Oma Coffee, Maui Cookie Lab and Roselani Ice Cream
• Locally-sourced grab-and-go goods 

Guests can dine-in with free Wi-Fi, order online for pickup, or get lunch delivered via Hopper Maui or DoorDash.  LunchBox Maui also offers catering for both private and public events.

The new Kahului café, set to open May 6, will transform the current Maui Cookie Lab storefront into a bright, welcoming hub offering dine-in, pickup, and delivery options, as well as catering for private events and local businesses.

“This isn’t just about sandwiches. It’s about feeding our people with intention and connection,” Cramer said. “Whether you’re visiting from afar or kamaʻāina looking for a new favorite lunch spot — we’ve got a seat for you at the table.”

“This is more than a café,” Cramer says. “It’s a gathering place, a source of pride, and a space where both locals and visitors can slow down and savor life again.”

A grand opening celebration will take place on Monday, May 6, 2025 at 140 Hoʻohana St., Suite 101 in Kahului.

The original LunchBox Maui location remains open at 1188 Makawao Ave. in Makawao Town. The Makawao location is open 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.