Localicious Hawai‘i Campaign Kicks off in March

Ahi Poke Sriracha Bowl from Da Kitchen, participating restaurant in the Localicious Hawai‘i campaign from March 1 to 31, 2017. Courtesy photo.

A collective of the Hawaii’s most celebrated chefs and restaurants have committed to bring local ingredients to the center of the plate in support of the 4th annual Localicious Hawai‘i campaign.

Throughout the month of March, more than 170 eateries will participate in the largest statewide culinary initiative by designating one or more menu items that incorporate locally grown, caught or raised products as Localicious dishes. For every dish sold, one dollar is donated to the Hawai‘i Agricultural Foundation (HAF) for the expansion of ag education programs.

“Our mission with Localicious is to celebrate restaurants that choose to work with farm-fresh ingredients that were cultivated in our islands’ soil,” said Denise Hayashi Yamaguchi, executive director of HAF. “With this year’s increasing amount of support, we’re collaborating with more farmers, fishermen, ranchers and students than ever before to create a healthier future for local ag production.”

Localicious Hawai‘i aims to raise public awareness of restaurants that are active supporters of the state’s agricultural industry. All proceeds raised from the promotion help fund HAF’s Veggie U, which gives fourth-grade teachers the tools they need to engage their students in interactive ag- and science-focused activities. Since the program’s launch in 2014, around 60 public schools and 170 classrooms statewide have received garden kits and structured curriculums.

Maui restaurants taking part include Black Rock Kitchen, Da Kitchen Café, Gannon’s Wailea, Hali‘imaile General Store, Hula Grill, Humble Market Kitchin, Humuhumunukunukuapua‘a, Kō, Japengo, Nick’s Fish Market, Roy’s Restaurants, Sarento’s on the Beach, Son’z Steakhouse, Tin Roof Maui, Tommy Bahama Restaurants, University of Hawai‘i Dining Services (Sodexo) and Zippy’s Restaurants.

The campaign will kick off this year with a private reception at International Market Place in the heart of Waikīkī, on Tuesday, Feb. 28. The event is to feature dishes prepared by chefs at Roy’s Restaurants including Eating House 1849 by Roy Yamaguchi, STRIPSTEAK and Flour & Barley all located within the center’s third-level Grand Lanai, as well as Chef Zone and BREW’d. Restaurants and teachers enrolled in Veggie U will be recognized for their involvement and presented with official certificates of participation.

“Making a commitment to farm-to-table values and educational programs like Veggie U is a critical move in continuing the legacy of our islands’ self-sufficient food system,” said Russell Hata, president and CEO of Chef Zone. “Localicious gives restaurants and patrons an important opportunity to serve as stewards of the land and inspire a movement towards a more sustainable Hawaii.”

Here’s a sampling of 2017 Localicious Hawai‘i participating restaurants:

12th Ave Grill, 53 By The Sea, AMAAMA, Alan Wong’s Honolulu, Ama Bar & Grill, Angelo Pietro Honolulu, Annie’s Island Fresh Burgers, Anuenue Cafe – Poipu, Arancino Italian Restaurants, Artizen by MW, Bevy, Bevy Market, Big City Diner, Black Rock Kitchen, BLT Market, BLT Steak Waikiki, Blue Note Hawai‘i, Blue Tree Cafe, BREW’d craft pub, BYO Bowls, Cafe 565, Cafe Mambo, Chao Phya Thai Restaurant, Chef Chai, d.k. Steak House, Da Kitchen Cafe, Dean and Deluca, Dean’s Drive Inn, Diamond Head Market & Grill, Duke’s Beach House, EAT Honolulu, Eating House 1849 by Roy Yamaguchi, Espresso Bar at Neiman Marcus, Fish House at Four Seasons Koolina, Flour & Barley, Gannon’s Wailea, Gaylord’s at Kilohana, Grondin: French-Latin Kitchen, Hali‘imaile General Store, Hawai‘i Calls Restaurant & Lounge, Hoku’s, Honolulu Beerworks, Honolulu Coffee Experience Center, Huggo’s, Hukilau Restaurants, Hula Grill Restaurants, Humble Market Kitchin, Humuhumunukunukuapua‘a, Hy’s Steak House, Island Brew Coffee House, Japengo at Hyatt Regency Maui, Jugo Life Juicery, Kō, Koko Head Cafe, La Tour Cafe, Lava Lava Beach Club, Le Bistro, Local Joe, MAC 24/7 Bar + Restaurant, MAI Grille, Mariposa at Neiman Marcus, Mark’s Place, Mermaid Bar at Neiman Marcus, Moon and Turtle, Mr. Ojisan Restaurant, Mud Hen Water, Murphy’s Bar & Grill, MW Restaurant, Nick’s Fish Market Maui, Oasis on the Beach, On the Rocks, Orchids, Pailolo Bar & Grill, Palate Craft & Eatery, Piggy Smalls, Plantation Tavern, Plumeria Beach House, Poke Stop, Pueo’s Osteria, Ravish Honolulu, REAL a gastropub, Rebel Kitchen, Roy’s Restaurants, Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar – Oahu, Sarento’s on the Beach, Senia, Side Street Inn on Da Strip, Son’z Steakhouse, STRIPSTEAK, Sweet Cane Restaurants, Teddy’s Bigger Burger, The Edge by Tamuras, The Grove at The Modern Honolulu, The Pacific Club, The Pig & the Lady, The Pineapple Room by Alan Wong, Tiki’s Grill & Bar, Tin Roof Maui, Tommy Bahama Restaurants, Top of Waikiki, Umeke’s, University of Hawaii Dining Services (Sodexo), Waiolu Ocean View Lounge, and Zippy’s Restaurants.

The Hawai‘i Agricultural Foundation is a non-profit charitable organization created to promote agriculture and farming. Established in 2007, HAF’s mission is to support and sustain Hawai‘i’s agricultural industry by addressing critical needs and services of farmers and the agricultural industry in Hawai‘i, and by better connecting the farmers and the community.

Localicious Hawaii 2017 is presented by ChefZone (a division of Y. Hata), with additional support provided by Honolulu Brewers’ Festival, Hawai‘i State Department of Agriculture, Paradise Cove, Hawai‘i Gas, International Market Place and HONOLULU Magazine.

To learn more, visit the Localicious website.