Maui Food And Dining

Four local food-focused entrepreneurs will share a total of $50,000 in cash prizes to expand and scale their businesses as winners of Kamehameha Schools’ 2024 Mahi‘ai Match-Up, a business plan competition that aims to strengthen Hawai‘i’s food system. The winning companies — Hā Tonics, The Local General Store, Polipoli Farms, and Manu Brewing Co. — were honored Thursday at ʻAha ʻAina Pauahi, a celebration at the Royal Hawaiian Center. 

Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort announced its latest culinary partnership with globally-celebrated restaurant concept, Nobu. Set to launch at the iconic resort in summer 2025, Nobu at Grand Wailea will expand the property’s offerings with the newest addition to the world-renowned Japanese restaurant empire, founded by Nobu Matsuhisa and Robert De Niro.

Local farms, artisans and cultural guides are collaborating to bring unique, hands-on experiences that celebrate Maui’s natural beauty and resources this fall.

The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority held its esteemed Tourism Legacy Awards luncheon on Wednesday as the culminating event of the 2024 Hawai‘i Tourism Conference. HTA proudly presented Tourism Legacy Awards to Kaua‘i’s Hamura Saimin and Hawai‘i’s own Chef Sam Choy for their long-standing achievements in serving Hawai‘i’s communities.

Balai Pata, a Filipino restaurant by Maui Chef Joey Macadangdang celebrates its one year anniversary. Located just minutes from the airport in Central Maui, the restaurant pays tribute to the humble beginnings that most Filipino immigrant families experience.

Hangry Joe’s Maui Hot Chicken & Wings, a national franchise, has opened its first restaurant in Hawaiʻi at the Maui Marketplace (inside food court) at 270 Dairy Road.

GEN Korean BBQ House will hold a grand opening Saturday of its first Maui location at the Puʻunēnē Shopping Center in Kahului, the national restaurant chain known for its “grill at your table” experience announced today. A “soft” opening was on Monday.

The University of Hawai‘i Maui College Culinary Arts Program and Fairmont Kea Lani present the 24th annual Noble Chef Gala on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. The largest annual fundraiser showcasing and supporting the Maui College Culinary Arts Program at the University of Hawai‘i Maui College, the gala returns to Fairmont Kea Lani for an evening celebrating the college’s past, present and future.

More than 50 restaurants on O‘ahu, Maui and the Island of Hawai‘i will participate in the two-week campaign to dine local during the typically slower post-Labor Day season. In the coming months, all of the participating restaurants will be represented by chef talent during the 14th Annual Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival events from Oct. 18-Nov. 10, where they’ll be joined by hundreds of chefs, winemakers, mixologists and beverage professionals from around the world. 

T S Restaurants invites guests to support Hawaiʻi Foodbank when dining at any of its seven locations across the state from Sept. 9-15. Customers are encouraged to make a donation when visiting Duke’s, Hula Grill, Leilani’s on the Beach and Keoki’s Paradise. For every dollar donated, T S Restaurants will subtract the same amount from the guest’s bill, up to $50, providing an opportunity for both residents and visitors to impact the community while enjoying a discounted meal.

The Hawai‘i Food and Wine Festival announced a new partnership with the James Beard Foundation to support women in the culinary industry, aligning with the theme for the 14th Annual Festival: Empowerment.

The Hana Hou Hospitality brand opens Coco Deck Lahaina, Kitchen + Bar this week, led by Chef Alvin Savella, “The Kitchen Assassin.” Coco Deck Lahaina hosts a soft opening for Maui residents  on Sept. 4 and 5; and an official grand opening on Sept. 7.

The Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows in Kāʻanapali is open once again, following 10 months of providing refuge to Lahaina residents in need. On Tuesday, Sept. 3, the resort will mark its grand reopening with a Hawaiian Blessing at noon, followed by an inaugural dinner service in the evening.

Seafood City Supermarket is scheduled to open at the Maui Marketplace on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024 at 9 a.m.  This popular Filipino supermarket chain is making its grand debut with a full service 37,000-square-foot market complete with an authentic Filipino specialty bakery and a Filipino Grill/Restaurant.  An in-store blessing was held on Tuesday.

After five years away due to the pandemic and Maui wildfires, Montessori School of Maui is thrilled to announce the return of their tuition assistance fundraiser, Taste of Upcountry. This celebration of the bounty of Upcountry Maui will take place Saturday, Sept. 14, 6-10 p.m. The outdoor event, held under a glowing tent on the central lawn at the heart of the school’s Makawao campus, supports Montessori School of Maui’s Tuition Assistance Initiatives in an effort to make a Montessori Education more accessible, welcoming, and inclusive for our community.

With the return of the Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival to Kā‘anapali, Maui for its 14th annual festival coming this October, organizers reflected on last year and how they intend to support the island’s economic recovery in the aftermath of the 2023 wildfires.

The Shops at Wailea is months away from a new culinary addition. The debut of Aurum Maui, the latest venture from Destination Hospitality Group, offers a fusion of New American cuisine and local ingredients.

The Kukui Mall parking lot was overflowing recently, spilling onto busy traffic on South Kīhei Road on a sultry summer night. A closer look revealed the reason: patrons crowding into Cool Cat Cafe, relocated last month to South Maui after wildfire destroyed its longtime Wharf Cinema Center location, across from the famed Banyan Tree in historic Lahaina town.

Koholā Brewery is set for a grand opening July 21 as a taproom and restaurant at the Wailea Village shopping center. This marks the second comeback for the independent craft beer brewery founded in Lahaina in 2014.

Kō Restaurant at Fairmont Kea Lani is introducing Taste of Kō[racha], a one-night culinary event highlighting the innovative multicultural cuisine of Kō elevated with Kōracha, the venue’s new, locally crafted hot sauce created in collaboration with HiSpice.