Maui Food And Dining

Maui’s Chef Sheldon Simeon, owner of Tin Roof in Kahului, is one of two Hawaiʻi chefs nominated by the James Beard Foundation for recognition as Best Chef in the Northwest and Pacific region which includes Alaska, Hawaiʻi, Oregon, and Washington.

After more than two years, the Pā‘ina Food Court at the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College reopens to the public on Wednesday, March 23, 2022.

Ekolu kitchen1279 reopens today in the Azeka Shopping Center in Kīhei following a two-year closure due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The restaurant celebrated its 35th anniversary last year, marking three and a half decades of service from a corner spot at Luakini and Dickenson Streets. But the heavy burden of economic landscape and staffing concerns made the decision official.

Huihui chef Tom Muromoto’s thoughtfully crafted menu sources deer from the neighboring rural island for dishes that include the Molokaʻi venison burger, and Molokaʻi venison poke.

Wolfgang’s Steakhouse is slated to open at The Shops at Wailea in the fall of 2022, marking the first Maui location for the restaurant.

Makaʻalae Farms on Maui is set to receive $250,000 in funding from the US Department of agriculture to help create new products and better advertise goods and services.  

The restaurant in Māʻalaea, is inviting kamaʻāina to connect over locally sourced ingredients and a delicious three-course prix fixe menu, all for the price of $25 per person. For each lunch purchased, Seascape will donate $1 to the MOC Marine Institute, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of Hawaiian green sea turtles and coral restoration. 

Tonight marks the second night of a two night collaboration with Kō’s Executive Chef Jonathan Pasion and Lanai Tabura at the Fairmont Kea Lani resort.

Kalei’s Lunchbox has expanded yet again, this time with a brick-and-mortar restaurant at the Maui Lani Shopping Center, anchored by Safeway in Wailuku. This brings to three, the total number of eateries the ʻohana owned business operates.

The “Maui STREET Market,” starts next Tuesday, Feb. 1. This foodie hot spot will be located in the south side of the parking lot at 150 Hāna Highway in Kahului (next to the former 24-Hour Fitness Center) and will be open seven days a week with food trucks setting their own hours.

Maui Ku‘ia Estate Chocolate was named a “Producer of Excellence” and given the Gold Award in the Asia-Pacific Region in the International 2021 Cocoa of Excellence Awards, announced virtually from Rome, Italy, on Dec. 16.

One hundred percent of the revenues from the Anahola Cafe supports its operation and the nonprofit mission of HCDC in affordable housing and job creation on or near Hawaiian Home Lands.

Chick-fil-A pushed back the tentative opening for its $3.87 million Kahului restaurant — the first of at least four locations slated for the Aloha State. Initially scheduled to open late spring, a news release today said the Central Maui restaurant is now set to open mid-2022. The release also announced the names of four operators chosen to helm the Hawaii restaurants. Sean Whaley, of San Bernardino, Calif., was named the franchise operator for Kahului.

Aunty Patty Locey will be retiring from her job as a cashier at Pukalani Superette at the end of the month.

Every purchase contributes to helping the Maui community. That’s because MKEC’s mission is backed by its Chocolate Kuleana—a promise to give back 100% of net profits to Maui nonprofit organizations. As part of its Chocolate Laulima Program, customers can designate a favorite partner charity at checkout, giving 40% of the sale back to your chosen nonprofit. 

Long before they decided to open their popular Satrang food truck in Haʻikū Marketplace, Harpreet and her husband Jason Murthi would play a little food game. “I love to cook and I would ask, ‘hey, would you pay for this,’” she said referring to recipes she would experiment with. Years later, the answer from both locals and visitors is a resounding “yes.”

Elves will commandeer Esters Fair Prospect, a bar in Wailuku, for one week of yuletide spirit from Dec. 18 through Christmas Eve for its “Miracle on Main Street” holiday takeover with a portion of drink proceeds to benefit the nonprofit Love of the Sea.

Montage Kapalua Bay has a host of events planned for December including holiday dining, Champagne by the Bay, and a New Year’s Eve Glow in the Dark celebration.

The Ho’okele site is adjacent to Safeway and is part of the company’s expansion plans for Maui. It is targeted to open some time in the first quarter of 2022.