David Paul’s Island Grill Closes

Private dining room at David Paul’s Island Grill. Photo courtesy of David Paul’s Island Grill.

By Sonia Isotov

Twenty-five employees lost their jobs when David Paul’s Island Grill in Lahaina closed on September 1.

The Hawaii Star-Advertiser is reporting that operating costs — including food, insurance, electricity and rent — had recently risen as much as 25% over the past three years.

“I’m sincerely grateful to the staff and all our customers who have been so supportive of this restaurant,” said David Paul John, the chef-co-owner, in a written statement.

According to the restaurant’s website and Facebook page, David Paul Johnson, a multi award-winning chef/restaurateur, plans to reopen a smaller, bistro-style restaurant in late 2012/early 2013, but no further details or new location were revealed.

“Lahaina Center will soon be converted into an outlet mall,”  said Johnson, “and we wish the new tenants much success.”

David Paul Johnson. Photo by Elena Rego.

David Paul’s Lahaina Grill had been a long time fixture in the Lahaina restaurant scene at its original location in the historic Lahaina Inn on Lahainaluna Road. “I co-designed the Maui restaurant and even had the joy of pouring the cement. It was a huge thrill to open David Paul’s Lahaina Grill on February 14, 1990,” said Johnson, in a statement on the restaurants’ website.

After the original location was sold in 2000, the 8,000 square-foot restaurant reopened in the Lahaina Center location.