Maui Nō Ka 'Oi Magazine_2025_Issue 3 by Maui Nō Ka ‘Oi Magazine

‘Aipono: The Best Restaurants, Bakeries & Bars

RESTORING KAHOʻOLAWE

Healing a sacred island across the ʻAlalākeiki Channel, one plant at a time

PEDAL TO PEAK

One mountain, 36 miles, no turning back + MOCKTAILS

3 ʻAipono Gold Recipes

22 PLANTING WITH A PURPOSE

Volunteer Mike Morris joins efforts to replant and restore sacred Kahoʻolawe – an island scarred by military testing with healing through care.

28 CYCLE TO THE SUN

From sea to sky, ambitious cyclists chase the sun 36 miles up Haleakalā, testing their limits of endurance while raising money for Maui’s next generation.

2025

AIPONO AWARDS

The annual gala honored over 40 categories of culinary excellence in the food and hospitality industry, including Chef of the Year and Friend of Agriculture.

René Jacinto

Daniel Sullivan

Mike Morris

Photo by ©Joel Sartore/Photo Ark

contents departments

ON THE COVER Kahoʻolawe rises just seven miles across the ʻAlalākeiki Channel from Mākena’s golden-sand Pā‘ako Beach (Secret Beach). Volunteers are working to restore the sacred island. Story begins on page 22.

Photo by Vic Schendel

14 EDITOR’S LETTER

Stories and lessons from life on Maui by Publisher and Editor Chris Amundson.

16 TALK STORY

Redwoods thrive on the slopes of Haleakalā; Freddie the dog tracks down invasive fire ants on the island; The baseball team that brought spring training and tourism to remote Hāna in 1947.

ISLAND KITCHEN

Maui’s mocktail movement takes the island by storm. Try zero-proof cocktails from ‘Aipono winners Tikehau Lounge, Pilina at Fairmont Kea Lani and Lobby Lounge at Four Seasons Maui at Wailea Resort.

52 DINING GUIDE

Everything you need to know about dining on Maui, from casual bites to luxury experiences.

62 WHO'S WHO

The people of the 2025 ‘Aipono Awards. Recognize any of these smiling faces?

Chris Archer

VOL. 29, NO. 3 | 2025

Maui Nō Ka ‘Oi is an internationally-distributed magazine dedicated to exploring the life and culture of Maui Nui. There’s a saying known in the islands: Maui nō ka ‘oi, Hawaiian for “Maui is the best.” We hope you think so, too.

PUBLISHER & EDITOR ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

PHOTO COORDINATOR STAFF WRITER DESIGN

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

CULTURAL ADVISOR

ADVERTISING SALES SUBSCRIBER SERVICES INTERN

CONTRIBUTORS

Chris Amundson

Angela Amundson

Erik Makić

Ariella Nardizzi

Mark Del Rosario

Lydia Paniccia

Savannah Dagupion

Pōmaika‘i Krueger

Azelan Amundson

Shiela Camay

Lucy Walz

Serene Gunnison

Lisa Truesdale

Todd A. Vines

Mike Morris

Jen Murphy

Daniel Sullivan

Tiffany La Forge

Chris Archer

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Maui

The Spirit Behind the Plate

THERE’S SOMETHING POWERFUL about a room full of Maui chefs. The way they carry themselves with pono. Calloused hands from decades of kneading, chopping and cooking. Quick wit. Deep respect for their craft. So when more than 500 chefs, restaurateurs, managers, servers, mixologists and friends filled The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua on April 26 for the 2025 ‘Aipono Awards, the mana in the room was unmistakable.

Each year, Maui Nō Ka ʻOi hosts the ‘Aipono Awards to celebrate the heart of our food culture: living and eating with balance, respect and care. Winners in 40 categories aren’t chosen by critics. They’re chosen by you – our readers, both residents and visitors – who understand that aloha can be served on a plate as much as in a smile.

This spring’s gala dished up a three-course feast and raised scholarship funds for the UH Maui College Culinary Arts Program. There were cocktails, pirates, prize drawings and stories that stayed with us long after the tables were cleared.

Stories like that of Chef Zach Sato, honored as 2025 Chef of the Year. As told in “Maui’s Homegrown,” Sato turned his culinary skills into community action, preparing more than 40,000 meals for displaced families after the 2023 fires. His leadership didn’t just nourish bellies, it lifted spirits.

Or Chef Ryan Luckey, named this year’s Friend of Agriculture. Luckey sources up to 70 percent of his ingredients from Maui farms, a quiet act of commitment that has shaped his 31-year culinary journey. His story, “Pono Plate Philosophy,” reminds us that a simple salad, made with intention, can carry a deeper purpose.

For the full list of winners, turn to the ‘Aipono Awards section on page 34.

And then, of course, there was Shep Gordon.

The legendary music manager and culinary champion joined us onstage to reflect on the origins of Hawaiian Regional Cuisine – and challenged us to take the next step: to put Maui on the global culinary map. Not because we haven’t arrived, but because we can go even further together.

Food on Maui has always meant more than sustenance. It’s how we care for each other. How we preserve land, honor tradition and reimagine what’s possible. When we sit down at the table, we bring more than ingredients – we bring intention.

To our chefs, farmers and artisans: thank you for rising to the table. To our readers: thank you for lifting their craft.

As Shep reminded us that evening, “Don’t be an island unto yourself. In numbers is power – and power is what you need.”

That’s something worth gathering around.

CHRIS AMUNDSON Publisher & Editor chris@mauimagazine.net

An unlikely species thrives in Maui’s high elevation forests

by Serene Gunnison

HIGH ON THE slopes of Haleakalā, in a remote section of Kula Forest Reserve, an unexpected sight awaits: towering redwood trees, rising above pines and lush ferns.

Redwoods are among the last trees you’d expect to see in Hawai‘i. But here in the fog belt at 6,200 feet, the climate closely mirrors Northern California’s coast – ideal conditions for these giants to thrive.

While Maui’s microclimates can support plant species from around the globe, one question lingers: How did redwoods get here?

A little over a century ago, the landscape now known as Kula Forest Reserve was likely dominated by native trees. That began to

change in the 1880s, when government lands in Kula were leased to Cornwell Ranch for grazing. By the early 1900s, deforestation and livestock had transformed the native forest into open grassland. The degradation caught the attention of Ralph Hosmer, Hawai‘i’s first territorial forester.

Hosmer recognized the importance of Maui’s upland forests as vital watersheds. These forests absorb rainfall, recharge underground aquifers and reduce erosion. Without them, the island faces drought, flooding and other environmental hazards. He also saw opportunity in transforming barren lands into working forests.

In 1912, after the ranch leases expired, the

Tim Szlachetka

More than 280 acres of redwoods thrive in the remote Kula Forest Reserve, where some trees soar over 150 feet tall.

A century-old grove of California redwoods towers above Kula

lipoli Spring State Recreation Area – was officially established to protect and restore the watershed. Rather than replant native species, Hosmer pursued fast-growing, high-value trees that could one day be harvested for timber. He sourced seedlings from Europe, Asia, California and other Pacific islands.

By 1930, the Civilian Conservation Corps was planting tropical ash, cypress, eucalyptus – and redwood. Today, more than 280 acres of redwoods grow in the reserve.

The most impressive grove lies along the aptly named Redwood Trail, beginning near the Polipoli Spring cabin. The route descends about a mile through dense non-native for-

est before opening into a stand of redwoods, some soaring over 150 feet. Hikers can return the way they came or continue along the 4.9mile Polipoli-Pum-Redwood Trail loop.

Far from their native coastal range, Maui’s redwoods have not only survived but flourished. They’ve withstood a 2007 brush fire, snowfall at unusually low elevation in 2019 and powerful storms in 2021 that closed the area for nearly two years.

These redwoods now stand as a living legacy of early conservation efforts – and a reminder of Maui’s astonishing climatic range. Beneath their towering trunks, it’s easy to forget that palms, plumeria and sunny beaches lie just seven miles downslope.

Ralph Hosmer saw an opportunity in the early 1900s to turn this deforested area into a working forest. By the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps planted fast-growing, high-value trees to help absorb rainfall, reduce erosion and recharge underground aquifers.

Heather Ellison

Maui’s AntSniffing Sleuth

by Lisa Truesdale

THE NEWEST EMPLOYEE at the Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC) arrived from Australia last May – ready to get to work alongside his new teammates.

When he’s not on the clock or honing his specialized skills, Freddie enjoys long walks, backyard zoomies and collecting rocks, leaves and shoes to carry to his kennel. Freddie, who recently turned three, is a highly trained black Labrador retriever – and Maui’s first dog capable of detecting invasive little fire ants (LFA).

Highly invasive and barely visible, little fire ants are one of Hawai‘i’s most destructive pests – harming people, pets, agriculture and native ecosystems. On Maui, early detection is critical to stopping their spread. That’s where Freddie comes in. With a nose trained to sniff out even the faintest ant scent, this energetic black Lab is MISC’s newest – and perhaps most adorable – line of defense.

LFA aren’t native to Maui – or any Hawaiian island. They were first detected on Hawai‘i Island in 1999 and on Maui in 2009, in Waihe‘e. Experts at MISC believe the ants likely hitchhiked from their native Central or South America on potted plants. They’ve also been found in mulch, irrigation tubing, building materials – even used cars.

Despite their tiny size – about half a sesame seed – LFA deliver a painful sting that causes welts lasting for weeks. And disturbing them is all too easy. Clouds of ants can be blown out of trees and onto unsuspecting humans below. In pets, stings have caused corneal damage and even blindness. In ag-

Freddie, a highly trained black Labrador retriever, is Maui’s first line of defense against invasive little fire ants. Working with the Maui Invasive Species Committee, he helps protect crops, native species and ecosystems across the island.

riculture, LFA devastate crops and destroy beehives by attacking larvae.

Large infestations are expensive and difficult to control – which is why Freddie’s role is so important.

“Freddie works in a variety of environments,” said handler Trisha Dillenburg. “He’s accurately detected scent-imprinted materials – like paper or bark that little fire ants have walked over, leaving their unique scent behind.” Recently, he even learned to detect ants treated with an insect growth regulator – a nontoxic solution that sterilizes queens and gradually collapses the colony. “Now that Freddie can detect those, we can better monitor treated sites to ensure

no live ants remain,” she added.

MISC is part of a statewide response coordinated with the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture and the Hawai‘i Ant Lab, which developed the baiting and treatment methods now used across the islands. Community involvement is also key – residents can help by reporting suspected infestations and participating in neighborhood treatment efforts. In one major success, a 175-acre infestation in Nāhiku was nearly eradicated using a combination of bait treatments and helicopter applications of insect growth regulator – proof that coordinated action can work. In 2023 alone, MISC surveyed over 1,000 properties and treated hundreds of in-

fested sites, with Freddie helping cover more ground faster and more accurately than hu man teams alone.

Freddie – whom Dillenburg describes as “goofy and quirky” – isn’t allowed to interact with other dogs, in case he picks up unwant ed behaviors. He enjoys people, but Dillen burg keeps fan interactions to a minimum to avoid distractions. “It’s hard,” she admitted, “because he is cute.”

Otherwise, he’s a lot like any other dog. “He’s athletic, happy, curious and extremely play-motivated, with a touch of stubborn ness,” Dillenburg said. “Those qualities make him excellent at scent detection – and a lot of fun to work with.”

Maui Invasive Species Committee (both)

The Spring that Baseball came to Hāna

The Little-Known Story of Paul Fagan and the 1947 San Francisco Seals

by Todd A. Vines

BEFORE THERE WERE tourists in Hāna, there were Seals.

In 1947, Hāna played host to spring training for the San Francisco Seals, a minorleague baseball team from the Triple-A Pacific Coast League. While professional clubs have held preseason practice in warm-weather cities across Florida and Arizona since the late 1800s, few fans associate baseball of any season with the quiet town of Hāna. It’s a little-known chapter in both baseball lore and the story of Maui.

The affair was conceived by Paul Fagan, a California entrepreneur and the majority stakeholder in the Seals organization, but Fagan’s own business interests went far beyond baseball.

In 1929, Fagan married Helene Irwin, the daughter of William G. Irwin, one of Hawaiʻi’s sugar industry pioneers. The Fagans established Puʻuohoku Ranch on Molokaʻi, and divided their time between San Francisco and the islands.

In 1944, Paul Fagan acquired 14,000

acres of land in Hāna. With Hawaiʻi’s sugar industry on the decline, Fagan converted cane fields into pastureland, relocated a herd of his Hereford cattle from Molokaʻi, and established Hāna Ranch. Two years later, Fagan opened the Kaʻuiki Inn, a placid, six-room retreat, and one of Hawaiʻi’s first hotels outside of Waikiki. He later added rooms and expanded the property, rebranding it the Hāna Ranch Hotel.

Eager to attract visitors to Hāna (and his newly updated resort), Fagan announced that he would bring his Seals in for spring training. His plan was to fly in a slew of prominent sportswriters to chronicle the camp, confident they would gush about the setting and Fagan’s hotel.

In January 1947, Fagan told Harry Borba of the San Francisco Examiner, “I built the Hāna Ranch Hotel strictly for the Seals. It accommodates only sixty persons and will be used by tourists after training,” adding that he considered Hāna “the last real Hawaiʻian village in the islands.”

Getting to Hāna has always been an adventure for visitors, and the Seals’ trip was no exception. On the 2,440-mile direct flight from Oakland Airport to Puʻunēnē Airport (the island’s main airfield at the time), the oil line on one of the Matson DC4’s prop engines failed, leaving the plane to limp across the Pacific on just three engines. Safely on island, the team still had to traverse the meandering, unpaved road to Hāna by bus. When they finally arrived, however, the Seals found an idyllic place to prepare for a pennant run.

The team trained daily from 9 a.m. to noon on a new diamond that Fagan had built, and the squad spent their downtime as many visitors do today; sunning, swimming, hiking and horseback riding. In the evenings, there was music, hula, and feasting on beef from Hāna Ranch.

The writers did, indeed, wax poetic about Hāna and Fagan’s resort. Harry Borba, who covered the Seals for the San Francisco Examiner, wrote “The place beggars descrip-

In 1944, businessman Paul Fagan bought 14,000 acres in Hāna with a vision: to turn the remote plantation town into a destination. He built a hotel for guests – and a ballfield where the San Francisco Seals could train in paradise.

San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library; Pacific Coast League Historical Society

tion. The Seals should pay for the privilege of training in such indescribably beautiful surroundings.”

Even the near drowning of San Francisco Chronicle sportswriter Bucky Walter didn’t dissuade the scribes from singing the praises of “heavenly Hāna,” circulating a nickname that lives on today.

When spring training ended, the burly ballplayers and sun-kissed sportswriters moved on, but Fagan’s plan to garner free publicity was a success, and visitors began to visit Hāna in greater numbers. In 1951, Fagan sold the Seals and retired to Hāna. He passed away in 1960. The hotel itself has changed ownership and names through the years, evolving into the Hotel Hana Maui, Travaasa Hana and, most recently, the Hana-Maui Resort.

Though the Seals’ spring in Hāna has largely faded from memory, Paul Fagan’s publicity stunt marked a pivotal moment in the town’s transition from isolated agriculture community to beloved tourist destination.

Planting Purpose with a on Kaho olawe

by Mike Morris

The first lesson kahoʻolawe taught me is patience.

FOR MORE THAN two years, I waited to step foot on the island. Three volunteer trips had been canceled – mostly because the transport vessel, ʻŌhua, was out of service. But in mid-December, I finally boarded the ʻŌhua along with seven of my colleagues from the Maui Ocean Center.

We were headed to Kahoʻolawe for a four-day trip to plant native vegetation under the guidance of the Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission (KIRC).

After departing the Kīhei Boat Ramp at dawn, we watched flying fish skim the waves and spotted a few whales as we crossed the ʻAlalākeiki Channel. When we

reached Honokanaiʻa Bay on the island’s southwest shore, we followed Native Hawaiian protocol and recited an oli kāhea – a chant asking permission to enter:

He haki nuʻanuʻa nei kai

ʻO ʻawa ana i uka

Pehea e hiki aku ai ʻO ka leo

Mai paʻa i ka leo

Indeed a rough and crashing sea Echoing into the uplands

How is it that one lands?

It is the voice

Do not hold back the voice

Mike Morris (both)

Eight volunteers from Maui Ocean Center arrived on the ʻŌhua to work with the Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission. Each person was allowed a 10-pound bag.

The water was calm enough for the captain to lower the ʻŌhua’s ramp, allowing us to walk ashore. On choppier days, visitors have no choice but to jump into the ocean and swim – Kahoʻolawe has no harbor and no pier.

Once on land, we lined up and passed gear hand-to-hand from the boat. Each person was limited to a 10-pound bag. Then came a safety briefing with one repeated warning: “If you didn’t drop it, don’t pick it up.” The reason? Kahoʻolawe was once a live-fire bombing range for the U.S. Navy –and not all ordnance was recovered.

But that’s only one chapter in the story of this sacred, scarred place.

Located seven miles southwest of Maui, Kahoʻolawe is the smallest of the eight main Hawaiian Islands and has no permanent residents. It is revered as the physical embodiment of Kanaloa (god of the ocean). For centuries, it served as a training ground for Hawaiian navigators learning the stars and swells before voyaging thousands of miles across the Pacific.

At Puʻu Moaʻulaiki (hill of the red-crested moa bird) – the island’s second-highest

peak – we visited the “navigator chair,” where voyaging students once sat and studied celestial patterns. But Kahoʻolawe’s history holds darker turns. In the 19th century, the island was used as a penal colony. The first prisoners were exiled there in 1826; the last left in 1852 due to illness.

On Dec. 8, 1941 – the day after Pearl Harbor – the U.S. Navy seized the island for use as a live ordnance training site. For the next 50 years, Kahoʻolawe was subjected to relentless military exercises. In 1965, the Navy detonated 1,500 tons of TNT at Sailor’s Hat – a massive blast designed to simulate an atomic explosion and study the effects on nearby ships.

Resistance began in 1976, when the Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana filed a federal lawsuit to reclaim the island. A grassroots movement grew. Years of protest and advocacy eventually brought an end to livefire training in 1990. Kahoʻolawe was later transferred to the state of Hawaiʻi, and KIRC was created to oversee restoration and cultural stewardship.

That history was all around us. Our bunkhouse beds still bore “U.S. Navy Prop-

In 1965, the Navy detonated 1,500 tons of TNT at Sailor Hat (right). The KIRC works to restore Kahoʻolawe's ecosystem with native plants.

erty” stencils. Outside the front door stood an ordnance display. But on our travels around the island, we encountered sacred altars and sites deeply rooted in Native Hawaiian traditions. The contrast was surreal – ancient culture and modern destruction sharing the same windswept cliffs.

Something Kahoʻolawe made me think about is the idea of redemption – that you can still try to correct what was wrong and make it right again. That’s why we were there: to plant more than 1,500 native plants across the island.

Our mission was to help restore life to the land. Kahoʻolawe’s ecosystem had been devastated not just by bombs but by invasive species and overgrazing from goats, sheep and cattle. Today, only feral cats and occasional mice remain.

We spent our days planting ʻahuʻawa (sedge), ʻaʻaliʻi (hopbush), makaloa (Cyperus grass) and ʻaeʻae (creeping shrub) in two locations, including a seasonal wetland about four miles from camp. Other volunteer work includes collecting seeds and removing invasive kiawe (mesquite) trees, which once choked out native vegetation.

But even replanting comes with risk. Only 10 percent of the island – about 2,647 acres – has been cleared to a depth of four feet, where digging is allowed. Seventyfive percent of the land has been surfacecleared. The remaining 25 percent – over 6,600 acres – is still considered unsafe to access.

Despite these challenges, KIRC has a long-term vision. “The KIRC’s objectives are to revegetate Kahoʻolawe, reduce surface water runoff, eliminate sedimentation entering the nearshore coastal habitats, increase groundwater recharge rates and raise the water table to usable levels,” reads a new sign at the Maui Ocean Center’s Kahoʻolawe exhibit.

Created in collaboration with KIRC,

Mike Morris

Maui Ocean Center (above); Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission (below)

Maui Ocean Center (above, left); Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission (above, right); Mike Morris (below)

the exhibit combines educational videos, newspaper clippings and artifacts to tell the story of the island’s transformation. Visitors often linger at the signs. I’ve heard that some are even moved to tears.

For me, being there was both grounding and transcendent. We worked under the hot sun, hands in the dirt. At night, we listened to the wind roar through the bunkhouse and watched stars blaze across the sky. There’s something powerful – spiritual even – about Kahoʻolawe. I came away feeling changed.

“You come out here not to have a Kodak moment, but to have a meaningful moment,” said Paul Higashino, who manages KIRC’s restoration program.

There were lighter moments too. After a long day’s work, we’d cool off with a supervised swim in the crystal-clear bay. I had braced myself for peanut butter and jelly, but our meals were far more gener-

ous – seared ahi, fresh salads and even a full Thanksgiving-style spread with turkey, stuffing and tiramisu for dessert. Coffee was ready by 5:30 a.m., waiting for us before each day’s labor.

Those comforts were no small feat.

Experiencing KIRC’s off-grid system firsthand showed me just how complex these trips are to organize. One of our earlier scheduled visits, in June 2023, was canceled when both the ʻŌhua and the reverse osmosis water system at base camp were down.

The remoteness, the logistics, the risk – it’s not easy to reach Kahoʻolawe. That’s why KIRC is working to build an education center on Maui, complete with classrooms, galleries and demonstration gardens to bring the island’s story closer to home.

On our final night, we practiced one last chant – an oli to release us from our role as guests:

ʻO ʻawekuhi ʻo kai uli

Kuhikau, Kuhikau

E hō mai i ʻaʻama

I ʻaʻama aha

I ʻaʻama ʻia au

Pointing tentacle of the deep sea

Direct, direct

Grant also an ʻaʻama

An ʻaʻama for what?

Releasing me from my obligations as your guest

As the ʻŌhua carried us across the channel back to Maui, I sat in quiet reflection. After years of waiting, I had finally made it. And I knew – some places are worth the wait.

Learn more about KIRC, including volunteer opportunities, at kahoolawe.hawaii.gov

Maui Ocean Center

Kahoʻolawe, the smallest main Hawaiian island, is both sacred and scarred from years of military bombing tests. Volunteers from Maui Ocean Center planted over 1,500 native plants, including ʻahuʻawa, ʻaʻaliʻi, makaloa and ʻaeʻae.

Cycle to

the Sun

A DAWN-TO-SUMMIT RACE UP HALEAKALĀ TURNS

36 MILES OF PURE CLIMB INTO A RITE OF PASSAGE – AND A FUNDRAISER FOR MAUI’S NEXT GENERATION

story by Jen Murphy photographs by Daniel Sullivan

UNDER A LAVENDER dawn, Pā‘ia glows neon. Cyclists in skin-tight kits click through puddles of streetlight, shaking out nerves while a kahu offers a blessing to Haleakalā – House of the Sun – and to every rider bold enough to challenge it. The start horn snaps the hush at 6:30 a.m., and wheels leap forward, swallowing Baldwin Avenue’s first steep pitch toward the volcano that fills half Maui’s sky.

The ritual scene unfolds each summer during Cycle to the Sun, Hawai‘i’s most prestigious road race and a major fundraiser for the Pā‘ia Youth and Cultural Center. Part endurance test, part community lūʻau, the event sends 200 riders from sea level to Haleakalā’s 10,023-foot summit in one unbroken, 36-mile ascent. Their entry fees help keep local kids safe, mentored and exploring their own limits – just as the racers do over the next four to six hours.

Haleakalā’s maximum grade is 15%. The temperature can swing 50 degrees between Pā‘ia’s scented breezes and the crater rim’s frosty moonscape, where snow occasionally dusts the cinder. For perspective, France’s storied Mont Ventoux gains barely half the elevation over just a third of the distance. “There’s nothing on Maui as extreme,” massage therapist and three-time finisher Noelle Manriquez says. Big-wave legend Ian Walsh likens the ride’s mental grind to surfing Peʻahi –when the body fades, grit decides.

Donnie Arnoult, a former pro racer and owner of Maui Cyclery and Go Cycling Maui in Pā‘ia, has organized Cycle to the Sun since 2008, backed by 20 volunteers, four police officers and a cadre of park staff. His son 3-D-prints the trophies; Arnoult himself has logged more than 500 summit rides. “Most climbs give you a breather,” he says. “This one gives you about 45 seconds – total.”

Three miles in, mountain-bike builder Justin Varaljay gets his first reality check. He joins a three-person relay on a whim, but the lead pack drops him near Lumeria, barely out of town. Humbled yet hooked, he comes back solo the next year, finishing in 4:21 without training. “There is no

relief,” he says. “You’re literally climbing the whole time.” He is training for a top-10 spot in the race.

Around mile 12, Pete Dunne finds his calling. A Maui local, he only discovers road bikes just before the pandemic. At first, he feels ridiculous in Lycra, but soon he embraces the you-versus-gravity mindset. Fifth overall in 2022, second in 2023,

he slashes past the elusive three-hour barrier last year – 2:55 – to become the first Maui resident to win. “The wind flips on every switchback,” Dunne says. “You have to read it, then break anyone on your wheel.”

Some ride to mark a personal milestone. Veterinarian Jennifer Bentley flies in from Oregon to celebrate her 40th birthday by

seeing how fast she can climb. She has pedaled to the summit before but never raced. On race morning, she clocks the top women’s time at 3:38. “You start in lush tropical greens and end on what feels like the moon,” she says.

A little farther up the road, 75-year-old artist Deb Lynch pedals past her own Pā‘ia driveway and just keeps going. For years,

Cycle to the Sun is Hawai‘i’s most prestigious road race, challenging 200 riders to bike 36 grueling uphill miles from sea level to the summit crater of Haleakalā at 10,023 feet. The event’s entry fees raise money for the Pā‘ia Youth and Cultural Center.

In addition to the steep, 15% road grade and 50 degree temperature swings, athletes must contend with high winds and a battle with endurance.

she stands outside to cheer as the racers stream by. Then, during the pandemic, she dusts off her bike and decides to try it herself. “I nicknamed myself the turtle,” she laughs. “I’m slow, but I still get up that hill.” She usually finishes just after the official cut-off time, but Arnoult always waves her in. “Your legs are in pain,” she says, “but the honeycreepers are singing, and the sky is a blue no paint can match.”

Mother Nature is as much a participant as any rider. One year, gusting 77mph winds pin racers against guardrails near the summit. Another, a hatch of tiny gnats forces everyone to breathe through clenched teeth for miles. Over the years, someone finishes on a unicycle, another on a stand-up ElliptiGO.

Cycle to the Sun began in the 1980s, slipped into dormancy, then was revived in 2001 by Kalima O Maui, a vocationalrehab nonprofit. Today, the race funds youth programs that teach leadership, ocean skills and civic engagement – the very qualities Haleakalā demands in miniature over its relentless grade. “You carry a piece of that crater with you,” global bike-tour operator Andy Levine says, who returns to Maui whenever he can.

For Manriquez, the payoff always arrives above 8,500 feet, where traffic thins and the planet curves away beneath her wheels. “At that point in the race I’m alone,” she says, “living in the moment of pain and appreciating the beauty around me, knowing I’m doing something epic.”

At the summit parking lot, Arnoult’s crew wraps finishers in fleece blankets and hands out medals shaped like the mountain itself. Down in Pā‘ia, the pizza party is already heating up – a celebration not just of victory or survival, but of a community that rallies around a road etched into paradise, and the belief that climbing together can lift everyone, especially the kids waiting to ride their own first miles.

THE 21 ST ANNUAL

PRESENTS THE 2025 ‘AIPONO RESTAURANT AWARD WINNERS

For 21 years, Maui’s diners have voted for the island’s best in food and hospitality. This year’s ʻAipono Awards at The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua honored that tradition as more than 500 chefs, restaurateurs, mixologists, farmers and industry friends gathered to celebrate – with scholarships benefiting students in UH Maui College’s Culinary Arts Program.

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR

GOLD My Thai Maui

SILVER Māla Ocean Tavern

BEST NEW RESTAURANT

GOLD Havens Harborside Fish & Chophouse

SILVER (tie) Coco Deck, Koholā Brewery

Honorable Mention

Point Break Pizza & Panini, Makawao Public House, Lahaina Noon, ʻUlu Kitchen

BEST SERVICE

GOLD Mama’s Fish House

SILVER Monkeypod Kitchen

Honorable Mention

Kaʻana Kitchen, Kō, Lineage, Merriman’s Kapalua, Sea House Restaurant

MOST INNOVATIVE MENU

GOLD Lineage

SILVER Honu Oceanside

Honorable Mention

Monkeypod Kitchen, SixtyTwo MarcKet, Kaʻana Kitchen, Kō, Māla Ocean Tavern

BEST OCEANFRONT DINING

GOLD Māla Ocean Tavern

SILVER Sea House Restaurant

Honorable Mention

Havens Harborside Fish & Chophouse, Honu Oceanside, Mama’s Fish House, Merriman’s Kapalua, Seascape

MOST “MAUI-EST”

GOLD Mama’s Fish House

SILVER Māla Ocean Tavern

Honorable Mention

Sea House Restaurant, Monkeypod Kitchen, Aloha Mixed Plate

Māla Ocean Tavern Mama’s Fish House

Lineage Koholā Brewery

I wanted to give them happiness and a good meal.

MAUI’S HOMEGROWN

Chef Zach Sato Honored as 2025 Chef of the Year

by Ariella Nardizzi

CHEF ZACH SATO

doesn’t just cook – he serves. His culinary creativity and unshakable humility have helped him build some of Maui’s most beloved restaurants and earned him the 2025 ʻAipono Chef of the Year award – a peer-selected honor that recognizes his aloha, talent and devotion to community.

Sato grew up in Haliʻimaile. As a high school freshman, he spent afternoons surfing and evenings elbow-deep in suds, washing dishes at a local restaurant. Cooking wasn’t the dream – not at first. But after graduation, something clicked. Under the mentorship of the head chef, Sato began to learn the craft. He found joy in the rhythm of the kitchen.

That joy took him to culinary school in San Diego and, not long after, back to Hawaiʻi. At just 23, he opened Oasis on the Beach on Kauaʻi – his first real canvas. “That’s where I came out of my shell and discovered my own style and creativity,” he said. He later joined Merriman’s, honing his technique

across islands before returning home.

In the depths of the pandemic, Sato, with wife Katie-Belle Ely, launched Havens –named after their daughter, born 10 months before opening. What began as a meal kit operation out of their home kitchen grew quickly. By December 2020, Havens had become Maui’s original smashburger joint that evolved into Havens Chow Cart food truck in Kahului across from the Costco gas station.

In October 2024, Sato, Katie-Belle and business partner Tavis Mann opened Havens Harborside Fish & Chophouse at Māʻalaea Harbor, tucked beneath the Maui Ocean Center. The airy, upscale space is an homage to Sato’s roots – a showcase of island-caught seafood, charbroiled entrées and ingredient-driven cooking.

“From our kitchen, I look out at the harbor and see the very boats that bring our fish in,” he said. “They just unload and walk it into the dining room of our restaurant across the street.”

But Sato’s honor as Chef of the Year extends beyond the plate.

After the 2023 Maui wildfires, Sato stepped up in a profound way. As a kid, he spent his summers surfing those same Lāhainā beaches where the fire met the ocean. When tragedy struck, he gave back – not from afar, but shoulder to shoulder with his neighbors.

Over five months, Sato helped feed more than 40,000 displaced residents, often preparing 500 meals a day with little more than a single oven. He raised $175,000 to support local farmers and hired staff to keep going. “To be there, boots on the ground… it was the most fulfilling use of my culinary work,” he said. “I wanted to give them happiness and a good meal.”

Whether he’s grilling burgers in Kahului or plating fresh fish in Māʻalaea, Sato brings the same instinct to the work – to feed, to uplift and to care. He’s more than a chef. He’s an ambassador for the island he calls home.

Chris Amundson

• Bone-in cuts & island-inspired specialties

• Award-winning smash burgers

• Locally grown produce, seasonal ingredients HAVENS HARBORSIDE PROUDLY SERVING:

• Fresh-caught fish, locally sourced daily

Kō Moku Roots

nyloS Old Lāhainā Lūʻau

MOST ROMANTIC SETTING

GOLD Mama’s Fish House

SILVER Merriman’s Kapalua

Honorable Mention

Ferraro’s Restaurant & Bar, The Restaurant at Hotel Wailea, Japengo, Son’z Steakhouse, Spago

BEST HAWAIʻI REGIONAL CUISINE

GOLD Kō

SILVER Mama’s Fish House

Honorable Mention

Kaʻana Kitchen, Māla Ocean Tavern, Merriman’s Kapalua, Monkeypod Kitchen, Sea House Restaurant

BEST PACIFIC RIM CUISINE

GOLD Kō

SILVER (tie) Japengo, Lineage

Honorable Mention

My Thai Maui, Banyan Tree Kapalua, Tales of the Kapa Moe Lūʻau, Star Noodle, Balai Pata

BEST LŪʻAU

GOLD Old Lāhainā Lūʻau

SILVER The Feast at Mōkapu

Honorable Mention

Drums of the Pacific Lūʻau, Grand Lūʻau, Myths of Maui Lūʻau, Te Au Moana Lūʻau, Tales of the Kapa Moe Lūʻau

BEST CHEF’S TABLE

GOLD nyloS

SILVER Kaʻana Kitchen

Honorable Mention

Banyan Tree Kapalua, Fond, The Restaurant at Hotel Wailea

BEST FARM-TO-TABLE CUISINE

GOLD Moku Roots

SILVER O’o Farm

Honorable Mention

Kaʻana Kitchen, Merriman’s Kapalua, SixtyTwo MarcKet

BEST HEALTHY FARE

GOLD Choice Health Bar

SILVER Fork & Salad

Honorable Mention

AʻA Roots, Alive & Well, Down to Earth, Moku Roots, Earth Aloha Eats

BEST RESTAURANT POKE

GOLD Tobi’s Poke & Shave Ice

SILVER Tikehau Lounge

Honorable Mention

Coco Deck, Nuka

BEST STEAK

GOLD DUO Steak & Seafood

SILVER Ruth’s Chris Steak House

Honorable Mention

Son’z Steakhouse, Havens Harborside Fish & Chophouse, Fuego Argentinean Steakhouse, Spago

BEST FISH & SEAFOOD

GOLD Mama’s Fish House

SILVER Māla Ocean Tavern

Honorable Mention

Paia Fish Market, Honu Oceanside, Havens Harborside Fish & Chophouse, Nick’s Fishmarket, South Maui Fish Co.

DUO Steak and Seafood

CHEF RYAN LUCKEY has never strayed far from the source. Born and raised on Maui, he has been a proud part of the island’s culinary world for 31 years, building his career – and his menus –around local farms, small producers and long-standing relationships. In April 2025, the Maui County Farm Bureau honored that commitment by naming Luckey the Friend of Agriculture at the Maui Nō Ka ʻOi Magazine’s 2025 ʻAipono Awards.

“It’s one of those full-circle moments,” Luckey said. “I’ve watched my mentors win this accolade. To be in that company now is a real sense of accomplishment.”

As executive chef of The Pint and Cork in Wailea, Luckey keeps local ingredients front and center. Up to 70 percent of his produce comes from Maui and the Hawaiian Islands, sourced through partnerships such as Surfing Goat Dairy and Waipoli Greens in Kula, Hua Momona Farms in Ka-

PONO PHILOSOPHY PLATE

Chef Ryan Luckey Named ‘Aipono ‘Friend of Agriculture’

by Ariella Nardizzi

palua and Mother Mushrooms in Olinda. For Luckey, sourcing local isn’t just a preference – it’s his duty.

“I take it as my responsibility to spread the wealth to my local companies, small farmers and small businesses,” he said.

Luckey’s first kitchen job came at age 15, working the fry station at Red Lobster. But it was a gig at Kapalua Grill and Bar two years later that changed everything. “I walked in and saw those chefs in tall, chimney stack hats, checkerboard pants. It was a big upgrade from my hair net at Red Lobster,” Luckey said, laughing. “I was instantly hooked.”

Without formal culinary training, he learned by doing – apprenticing under chefs who taught him how to make everything from hollandaise to beurre blanc. He developed his skills through stints at Jameson’s Grill and Bar, The Plantation House and Kapalua Bay Club, and landed his first executive chef role at Pineapple Grill by age 28.

He spent the next 13 years with TS Restaurants, expanding his creative reach and building a deep network of local suppliers while helming the kitchen at Leilani’s on the Beach in Kāʻanapali. Many of those relationships, now more than two decades old, remain active – a testament to Luckey’s belief in the island’s interconnectedness.

These days, he pays it forward. He mentors young chefs, fosters kindness in the kitchen and supports up to 10 local vendors who, as he puts it, grow with “Maui sunshine and Maui rain.”

So, what does a chef who’s done everything from fine dining to gastropub fare enjoy cooking most?

Luckey grinned. “A salad,” he said. “In its naked form, treated with care and respect –that’s food in its rawest form, isn’t it?”

Watch a video of Chef Ryan at mauimagazine.net/2025-aipono-award-winners

Chris Amundson

BEST BURGER

GOLD Cool Cat Cafe

SILVER Havens

Honorable Mention

Koholā Brewery, Teddy’s Bigger Burgers, Makawao Public House, Burger Boys

BEST ASIAN CUISINE

GOLD Star Noodle

SILVER Japengo

Honorable Mention

Lineage, Izakaya Genbe, Oao – Sushi Bar & Grill at Wailea

BEST SOUTHEAST ASIAN CUISINE

GOLD My Thai Maui

SILVER Nutcharee’s Authentic Thai Food

Honorable Mention

Thai Mee Up, A Saigon Cafe, Star Noodle, Maui Thai Bistro, Lineage

BEST MEDITERRANEAN/MIDDLE EASTERN CUISINE

GOLD Pita Paradise

SILVER Cafe des Amis

Honorable Mention

Le Bazaar Maui

BEST MEXICAN CUISINE

GOLD Amigo’s

SILVER Sergio’s Cantina

Honorable Mention

Polli’s Mexican Restaurant, Roasted Chiles, Las Piñatas of Maui Las Islitas Tacos Y Mariscos, Acevedo’s Hawaicano Cafe

BEST ITALIAN CUISINE

GOLD Matteo’s Osteria

SILVER Casanova

Honorable Mention

Marlow, Fabiani’s Pizzeria & Bakery, Taverna, Ferraro’s Restaurant & Bar, Bistro Casanova

BEST PLATE LUNCH

GOLD Kalei’s Lunchbox

SILVER Aloha Mixed Plate

Honorable Mention

Tin Roof, Da Kitchen, Joey’s Kitchen

BEST PIZZA

GOLD Point Break Pizza & Panini

SILVER (tie) Pizza Madness, Flatbread Company

Honorable Mention

Pizza Paradiso, Da Grateful Dough, Manoli’s Pizza Company, Black Rock Pizza

Matteo’s Osteria Amigo’s

MAUI’S

VENISON PIZZA

BEST NOODLES

GOLD Star Noodle

SILVER My Thai Maui

Honorable Mention

Thai Mee Up, Sam Sato’s, Tin Roof, Nutcharee’s Authentic Thai Food

BEST SUSHI

GOLD Miso Phat

SILVER Oao – Sushi Bar & Grill

Honorable Mention

Nuka, Isana, Japengo, Sansei Sushi, Koiso Sushi Bar

BEST FOOD TRUCK

GOLD Thai Mee Up

SILVER (tie) Maui Fresh Streatery, Havens

Honorable Mention

Sun’s Out Buns Out, Aloha Prime Eatery, Da Grateful Dough, Maui Pizza Truck

BEST BUSINESS LUNCH

GOLD SixtyTwo MarcKet

SILVER Marco’s Grill & Deli

Honorable Mention

Bistro Casanova, Sea House Restaurant, Monkeypod Kitchen, Cafe O’Lei Kihei

Cafe O’Lei at the Plantation

BEST GRAB & GO MARKET

GOLD Island Gourmet Markets

SILVER Kuau Store

Honorable Mention

Spoon & Key Market, Honolua General Store

BEST SHAVE ICE

GOLD Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice

SILVER Tobi’s Poke & Shave Ice

Honorable Mention

Bling Bing Maui, Waikomo Shave Ice

BEST COFFEE SHOP

GOLD Akamai Coffee Co.

SILVER Espresso Mafia

Honorable Mention

Crema Maui, Alba’s Cuban Coladas, Maui Coffee Roasters, Kraken Coffee, Wailuku Coffee Co.

BEST DESSERT

GOLD Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop

SILVER Mama’s Fish House

Honorable Mention

Kula Bistro, Monkeypod Kitchen, Havens Harborside Fish & Chophouse, Spago

BEST BAKERY

GOLD Momona Bakery and Coffee Shop

SILVER Stillwell’s Bakery & Cafe

Honorable Mention

Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop, Maui Bread Co., Four Sisters Bakery, Sugar Beach Bake Shop, Komoda Store and Bakery

BEST BREAKFAST

GOLD Kihei Caffe

SILVER (tie) SixtyTwo MarcKet, Nalu’s South Shore Grill

Honorable Mention

The Gazebo, ‘Ulu Kitchen by Merriman, Sea House Restaurant

BEST LATE-NIGHT DINING

GOLD The Pint & Cork

SILVER (tie) Pizza Paradiso, Tiffany’s

Honorable Mention

Manoli’s Pizza Company, Māla Ocean Tavern

BEST WINE LIST

GOLD Kaʻana Kitchen

SILVER Merriman’s Kapalua

Honorable Mention

Māla Ocean Tavern, Matteo’s Osteria, Spago, Honu Oceanside, The Restaurant at Hotel Wailea

BEST HANDCRAFTED COCKTAILS

GOLD Tikehau Lounge

SILVER Monkeypod Kitchen

Honorable Mention

Esters Fair Prospect, Māla Ocean Tavern, Lineage, Pilina, Cafe at the Point

BEST HAPPY HOUR

GOLD Monkeypod Kitchen

SILVER Sea House Restaurant

Honorable Mention

Coco Deck, Tikehau Lounge, Maui Brewing Co., Three’s Bar & Grill, Māla Ocean Tavern

BEST LOBBY LOUNGE

GOLD (tie) Pilina, Lobby Lounge

SILVER Alaloa Lounge

Honorable Mention

The Birdcage, Botero Lounge, Lehua Lounge, The Sandbar

BEST BAR

GOLD Tikehau Lounge

SILVER Esters Fair Prospect

Honorable Mention

Monkeypod Kitchen, The Pint & Cork

Monkeypod Kitchen Tikehau Lounge

PIZZA

MAUI’S MOCKTAIL MOVEMENT

ZERO PROOF, ISLAND STYLE

story by Tiffany La Forge

by Chris Archer

Island bartenders are shaking up spirit-free cocktails with the same craft and flair as the real thing – and the scene is buzzing.

NOT LONG AGO, mocktails were an afterthought on cocktail menus – often limited to sugary juice blends or a token nonalcoholic beer. But a new movement has been stirring, redefining the way we drink. Today, words like handcrafted, bold and botanical describe zero-proof creations.

Fueled by the rise of mindful drinking and a new generation of sober-curious consumers, these drinks now hold a rightful place on menus, crafted with as much care and complexity as their spirited counterparts.

For bars on Maui, creating innovative, elevated mocktails starts with what the island does best: focusing on local ingredients. Mahalo to these three Maui bars for share their secret mocktail recipes – handcrafted by 2025 ‘Aipono Gold-winning mixologists.

photographs

Wild Hibiscus Mocktail

Tikehau Lounge

2025 ‘Aipono Gold – Best Bar & Best Handcrafted Cocktails

With plenty of magazine-worthy zero-proof options, sober sippers at Tikehau Lounge in Wailea never have to sit out the quintessential cocktail toast. The bar’s mocktail menu highlights local ingredients, sometimes with the unexpected.

A fan-favorite “no buzz” selection is the Wild Hibiscus, a mocktail featuring herbal tea steeped from native Hawaiian māmaki leaves and hibiscus. The tropical concoction also combines Maui Gold pineapple syrup, fresh local lime juice, mint and pickled starfruit.

“During starfruit season in Hawaii, this beautiful fruit is abundant but often goes to waste,” said Mari Howe, Tikehau Lounge’s bar manager. “By pickling the fruit and using the juice in our recipes, we can preserve it and share it with our guests.”

These tropical flavors combine to create a balanced mocktail that is bright, refreshing, pleasantly acidic and almost too pretty to drink. Almost.

Ingredients

½ oz fresh local lime juice

1 oz Maui Gold pineapple syrup (recipe below)

¼ oz pickled starfruit juice (recipe below)

2 oz Oribe Hibiscus Mint Māmaki Tea (or favorite hibiscus-mint herbal tea)

Steps

1. In a shaker filled with ice, combine lime juice, pineapple syrup, pickled starfruit juice and Oribe Hibiscus Mint Māmaki Tea.

2. Shake well to chill and integrate flavors.

3. Double strain into a glass filled with fresh ice.

4 Garnish with pickled starfruit and a sprig of mint.

Serves: 1

Pickled Starfruit Juice

Ingredients

2 Tbsp salt

1 ½ qt white vinegar

1 ½ qt sugar

2 qt water

3 cinnamon sticks

5 cardamom pods

5 star anise

4-5 slices fresh peeled ginger

3 stalks lemongrass

1 ½ tsp turmeric powder

3 qt sliced starfruit (12-16 starfruit)

Steps

1 Wash and cut starfruit into ¼-inch slices. Sprinkle 2 Tbsp of salt evenly onto sliced starfruit; let sit 20 minutes.

2 Rinse starfruit; place in 1-gallon sealable container.

3 In a pot, combine all remaining ingredients except starfruit, bring to a boil and immediately turn off heat.

4 Pour hot pickling liquid over starfruit, cover, cool and refrigerate for at least 48 hours before using.

5. Refrigerate in sealed container to preserve up to two months.

Makes: 3 quarts

Maui Gold Pineapple Syrup

Ingredients

1 par t fresh Maui Gold pineapple juice from 1 or more pineapples

1 par t granulated white sugar

Steps

1. Juice pineapples with juice press, strain.

2. Measure equal weights of juice and sugar; add sugar.

3. Stir until fully dissolved.

4 Refrigerate in sealed container to preserve up to two weeks.

Makes: 2-4 cups per pineapple

Royal Fountain Spritz

Pilina at Fairmont Kea Lani

2025 ‘Aipono Gold – Best Lobby Lounge (tie)

When crafting zero-proof cocktails, the mixologists at Fairmont Kea Lani’s Pilina begin by selecting the local ingredients they wish to highlight – many harvested directly from the Royal Fountain Garden on-property.

Their favorite creation, the Royal Fountain Spritz, is a ruby red mocktail that blends freshly made hibiscus syrup, rosemaryinfused Verjus, Seedlip Garden 108 and alcohol-removed sparkling wine. The result is herbaceous, crisp, floral and lightly effervescent drink that captures the essence of the garden: fresh, fragrant and deeply rooted in the land.

For those making it at home, Cameron Hall, assistant director of food and beverage, recommends freezing slices of cucumber or citrus as a stylish, functional garnishes that keep your drink cool without diluting its flavors.

Ingredients

1 ½ oz Seedlip Garden 108

1 oz Verjus Blanc infused with Rosemary Tip: Use fresh rosemary (Pilina’s comes from Fairmont Kea Lani’s Royal Fountain herb garden)

1 oz tea syrup (recipe in Step 3 below)

1 cup granulated white sugar

1 ½ oz Mionetto “alcohol removed” sparkling wine

Steps

1. Infuse Verjus Blanc: Steep fresh rosemary in Verjus for 24 hours. Strain before use.

2. Prepare the glass: Chill a goblet-style water or wine glass.

3. Create the tea syrup: Brew one tea bag of Flora’s Berry Garden Tea or fruity tea of your choice in one cup of water.

4 Remove tea bag, add 1 cup sugar, stir. Refrigerate in sealed container to preserve 1-2 weeks.

5. Build the cocktail:

• Pour 1 ½ oz Seedlip Garden 108 into chilled glass

• Add 1 oz rosemary-infused Verjus Blanc

• Add 1 oz tea syrup

• Add ice

• Stir gently to combine ingredients

6. Top with sparkling wine: Preserving the bubbles, slowly pour 1 ½ oz Mionetto “alcohol removed” sparkling wine

7 Garnish: Finish with a long strip of chilled cucumber and a sprig of fresh rosemary for aroma and visual appeal.

8. Serve: Present immediately and enjoy refreshing herbal flavors.

Serves: 1

Plantation Sour

Lobby Lounge’s Plantation Sour is a tropical-forward libation inspired by the classic mai tai. Mixologists crafted this refreshing blend of mango, coconut, pineapple and lime with Maui in mind.

“We wanted to create a beverage that stands confidently on its own – with layered flavors and vibrant aromas that mirror our tropical surroundings,” said Lobby Lounge Manager Sarah Escobar.

Sarah’s favorite way to enjoy Plantation Sour? It pairs beautifully with the Lobby Lounge’s dim sum – tropical notes complementing the savory flavors of the dumplings.

Ingredients

½ oz coconut cream

½ oz mango purée

½ oz fresh lime juice

1 oz pineapple juice

Steps

1. Combine coconut cream, mango purée, lime juice and pineapple juice in a shaker with ice.

2. Shake until well chilled.

3. Strain over crushed ice in a rocks glass.

4. Garnish with fresh mint and orchid flower.

5. Serve and enjoy Serves: 1

Lobby Lounge at Four Seasons Maui at Wailea Resort

2025 ‘Aipono Gold – Best Lobby Lounge (tie)

B = Breakfast BR = Brunch L = Lunch H = Happy Hour D = Dinner N = Dinner past 9 p.m.

R = Reservation recommended $ = Average entrée under $15 $$ = Under $25 $$$ = Under $40 $$$$ = $40+ = 2025 ‘Aipono Award winner = Live music! Check venue website for information. Phone numbers are area code 808.

WEST SIDE

A‘A ROOTS Nāpili Plaza, 5095 Napilihau St., Ste. 103, Nāpili, 298-2499 Vegan cuisine made with the freshest Maui produce. Try the açai bowl, soba bowl with peanut sauce or bagel sandwich with hummus, avo and veggies. Vegan. B, L, $

ALALOA LOUNGE  The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua, 1 Ritz Carlton Dr., Kapalua, 669-6200 Farm-to-table cocktails, mocktails and savory bites like Spanish octopus, wagyu smash burger and tuna carpaccio, with butter mochi for dessert. International/Lounge. D, $$$

ALOHA MIXED PLATE 1285 Front St., Lāhainā, 6613322 This oceanfront restaurant offers innovative plate lunches and other island favorites. The titular aloha mixed plate comes with shoyu chicken, thinly sliced teriyaki rib eye and fresh fish. Mixed Plate. L, $$

AUNTIE’S KITCHEN The Westin Kā‘anapali Ocean Resort Villas, 6 Kai Ala Dr., Kā‘anapali, 667-3259 Saimin, burgers and fresh-fish plate lunches mingle with poke. Mixed Plate. B, L, D, $$-$$$

BAD ASS COFFEE 3636 L. Honoapi‘ilani Hwy., Lāhainā, 738-8223 Hawaiian coffee blends, breakfast sandwiches and stuffed muffins are located just across the way from Honokowai Beach Park. Coffee Shop. B, L, $

BANYAN TREE KAPALUA The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua, 1 Ritz-Carlton Dr., 665-7089 Start with a seafood tower for two. Then try the banyan tree seafood curry or wild caught New Zealand king salmon. End with a warm island-inspired malasada trio. Great cocktails, too! Italian/Hawai‘i Regional. D, $$$$

BIG WAVE SHAVE ICE The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas, 45 Kai Malina Pkwy., Kā‘anapali, 225-6770 Nāpili’s only shave ice stand, just steps from the bay. Choose from natural flavors like banana, tiger’s blood, passion fruit, root beer and more, sno cap and ice cream, as well as Valley Isle kombucha on tap. Treats. $

BURGER SHACK The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua, 1 Ritz-Carlton Dr., Kapalua, 669-6200 Al fresco beachside joint serving burgers, milkshakes, cocktails and beer. Try the Molokai Runner burger with fresh fish, citrus caper tartar sauce and Hua Momona farm greens. American, L, $$-$$$

CAFE JAI Whalers Village, 2435 Kā‘anapali Pkwy., H-13, Kā‘anapali, 281-0901 Local spot serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, including Maui Wowie fried chicken, grilled teriyaki salmon and huli huli chicken on a seasonal, rotating menu. Hawai‘i Regional. B, BR, L, D, $$

CANE & CANOE  Montage Kapalua Bay, 1 Bay Dr., Kapalua, 662-6681 Try the avocado toast and mimosas for breakfast and herb compressed lamb and ragout for dinner. Lunch at the Hana Hou Bar serves chicken katsu sandwiches, or enjoy a three-course tasting menu from Chef Purpura. Pacific Rim. B, D, $$$-$$$$

CAPTAIN JACK'S ISLAND GRILL Sands of Kahana Resort, 4299 L. Honoapi‘ilani Rd., Kahana, 667-0988 Delicious grill anchored in Kahana’s community. Try Jack’s Mai Tai for happy hour’s daily specials. For dinner, indulge in a vegan taro burger, mac nut crusted fish or blackened ahi. American. B, L, H, D, $$-$$$

CHOICE HEALTH BAR Whalers Village, 2435 Kā‘anapali Pkwy., Kā‘anapali All juices, smoothies, salads, soups and açai bowls are made with fresh ingredients from dozens of local farms on Maui. Daily specials. American. B, L, $

CLIFF DIVE GRILL Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, 2605 Kā‘anapali Pkwy., Kā‘anapali, 661-0031 Order Hawaiianstyle edamame, a juicy burger or fish tacos to accompany your poolside mai tai or Bikini Blonde Lager. Hawai‘i Regional. L, D, $$

COCO DECK 1312 Front St., Lāhainā 451-2778 Savor creative dishes by Chef Alvin Savella while taking in the ambience of Front Street. Try the crispy poke donut! Mexican, Seafood. H, D, $$

CRUIZIN' CAFE 3481 L. Honoapi‘ilani Rd., Honokōwai, 446-3663 Cruise on in for refreshing drinks, tasty sandwiches, pastries and shave ice. Talk story around the surfboard table and enjoy the local vibe. Coffee Shop. B, L, $-$$

DOLLIE’S PUB & CAFE 4310 L. Honoapi‘ilani Rd., Kahana, 669-0266 Dollie’s has been the local hangout since 1983. Their pizzas are hand-pressed and stone-cooked. Try the Maui Wowee with ham, pineapple and fresh macadamia nuts. American/Bar. L, D, $$-$$$

DRUMS OF THE PACIFIC LŪ‘AU Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa, 200 Nohea Kai Dr., Kā‘anapali, 667-4727 Enjoy a traditional imu ceremony and Hawaiian cuisine, plus the dances and music of Polynesia. Kid-friendly. Lū‘au. D, R, $$$$

DUKE’S BEACH HOUSEHonua Kai Resort & Spa, 130 Kai Malina Pkwy., Kā‘anapali, 662-2900 Imagine old Hawai‘i while dining on crab-and-macadamia-nut wontons or filet mignon at this open-air beach house. American/Pacific Rim. B, L, D, $$-$$$

THE GAZEBO Nāpili Shores, 5315 L. Honoapi‘ilani Hwy., Nāpili, 669-5621 Have breakfast for lunch, or lunch for breakfast! Fluffy pancakes, omelets, plate lunches with Cajunspiced chicken or kālua pork, salads and seven burgers to choose from. Ocean views are free! International. B, BR, L, $

HONOLUA STORE 502 Office Rd., Kapalua, 6659105 Market in the Kapalua Resort with extensive selection of grab-and-go items like salads, sandwiches and sushi. Made-to-order pizzas, burgers, hot sandwiches and breakfast items are also available. Deli, B, L, $-$$

HONU OCEANSIDE 1295 Front St., Lāhainā 6679390 Treat yourself to masterful culinary creations and stunning views as you dine on fresh fish oceanside. Try specialty cocktails like Charanda Daiquiri or Shark's Tooth. Pacific Rim, B, L, $-$$

HULA GRILL Whalers Village, 2435 Kā‘anapali Pkwy., Kā‘anapali, 667-6636 Dip your toes in the sand at the Barefoot Bar, and enjoy poke tacos, mai tais, original hula pie and live music. Don't miss the nightly hula show after dinner. Kid-friendly. Hawai‘i Regional. BR, L, D, $$-$$$

INU POOL BAR The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas, 45 Kai Malina Pkwy., Kā‘anapali, 662-6370 Inu means “drink” in Hawaiian, and this poolside bar serves island-inspired cocktails, local beer and wine. Sip and snack on pūpū, burgers, wraps and salads. Hawai‘i Regional/Bar. L, H, D, $-$$

ISLAND CREAM COMPANY Lāhainā Gateway, 305 Keawe St., Lāhainā, 298-0916 Classic flavors meet island fruit! Make your own Glacier Ice snow cone, or choose from

36 delicious flavors of ice cream. Can’t decide? Take home a few pints. Treats. $

ISLAND PRESS COFFEE 2580 Kekaa Dr., Kā‘anapali, 667-2003 Homey coffee shop in the Fairway Shops serving hard-to-find Maui grown coffee beans. Start your day with a cup of Maui Red Catuai or a Hawaiian Honey Latte. Don't forget to add a breakfast croissant. Coffee Shop. B, $

ISLAND VINTAGE COFFEE Whalers Village, 2435 Kā‘anapali Pkwy., L5, Kā‘anapali, 868-4081 Serving up killer gourmet Kona coffee and acai bowls piled high with tropical goodness. Get your island vibes and caffeine fix at this popular spot. Cafe/Local. B, BR, L, $$

JAPENGO Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa, 200 Nohea Kai Dr., Kā‘anapali, 667-4909 Asian fusion cuisine and sushi, featuring fresh seafood, local ingredients and Pacific Rim flavors, all with stunning oceanfront views. Pacific Rim. D $$$-$$$$

JOEY’S KITCHEN Whalers Village, 2435 Kā‘anapali Pkwy., Kā‘anapali, 868-4474 Second West Maui location: Napili Plaza, 5095 Napilihau St., Nāpili, 214-5590 Start your day with delicious ube french toast or a kālua-pork omelet at Whalers Village, and end with dinner at the Nāpili venue. Pacific Rim. B, L, D, $-$$

KIHEI CAFFE Lāhainā Gateway Plaza, 305 Kiawe St., Lāhainā, 879-2230 See South Shore listing.

KITCHEN 5315 RESTAURANT & TIKI BAR Nāpili Shores Maui by Outrigger, 5315 L. Honoapi‘ilani Rd., #153, Nāpili, 579-8877 Immerse yourself in a tropical paradise with fun tiki cocktails, vibrant island-inspired décor and a menu brimming with delicious local-style dishes, perfect for a laid-back island experience. Hawai‘i Regional. B, L, H, D, $$

LAHAINA NOON Royal Lāhainā Resort & Bungalows, 2780 Keka‘a Dr., Kā‘anapali, 661-9119 Breakfast offerings include loco moco or coconut french toast, or go for the buffet to try a bite of each. For dinner, feast on a 32 oz filet mignon or seared ahi tuna with wasabi mash, bok choy and a misoginger sauce. Pacific Rim. B, L, D, $$-$$$$

LEILANI’S ON THE BEACHWhalers Village, 2435 Kā‘anapali Pkwy., Kā‘anapali, 661-4495 Leilani's rocks island flavors with mac nut hummus, and ‘ahi poke with taro chips. Entrees include filet mignon with green onion gremolata or Parmesan-crusted fresh catch. Don’t forget the Hula Pie! Kid-friendly. Hawai‘i Regional. L, H, D, $$-$$$$

LEODA’S KITCHEN & PIE SHOP 820 Olowalu Village Rd., Olowalu, 662-3600 Try the house-made sandwiches on Maui Bread Company bread with pineapple coleslaw. The mac-nut chocolate cream pie and fresh-squeezed lemonade will make you want to dance! American. B, L, D, $

LONGHI’S Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club, 100 Nohea Dr., Kā‘anapali, 667-2288. Try a crisp pinot grigio and a romaine salad tossed with lemon-feta vinaigrette and anchovies. Italian. BR (Fri-Sun), D, $$

MĀLA OCEAN TAVERN 1307 Front St., Lāhainā, 667-9394 Māla serves island-inspired plates and cocktails with oceanfront seating. Start with an oyster shooter or ‘ahi bruschetta, then try seared scallops with truffle pesto, huli huli chicken or the daily catch with kabocha purée. Mediterranean. BR, H, D, N, $-$$$

MAUI NUI LŪ‘AU AT BLACK ROCKSheraton Maui Resort & Spa, 2605 Kā‘anapali Pkwy., Kā‘anapali,

661-0031 Experience the history and culture of the Valley Isle through Polynesian song and dance. Lei greeting, all-youcan-eat Hawaiian buffet and open bar included. Kid-friendly. Lū‘au. D, R, $$$$

MAUKA MAKAI  The Westin Kā‘anapali Ocean Villas, 45 Kai Malina Pkwy., Kā‘anapali, 662-6400 Land meets sea at this resort fine dining experience. Savor ancient Hawaiian flavors with a modern flair, such as the seared ahi, pōlehu ribeye and shrimp pasta. Hawai‘i Regional. B, L, D, $$$-$$$$

MERRIMAN’S KAPALUA 1 Bay Club Pl., Kapalua, 669-6400 Peter Merriman casts his spell on locally-sourced seafood, beef and produce to create delectable fare. Pacific Rim. BR (Sun), L, D, R, $$-$$$$

MISO PHAT SUSHI Kahana Manor, 4310 L. Honoapi‘ilani Rd., #111, Kahana, 669-9010 See South Shore listing.

MOKU ROOTS Moku Roots Waipoli Rd., Kula The zero waste and plant-based farm store lives in Kula, where customers can shop everything from local produce to cotton candy berry cheesecake. 2025 ‘Aipono Gold winner for Best Farm-to-Table Cuisine. International. BR, L, D, $$-$$$

MONKEYPOD KITCHEN Whalers Village, 2435 Kā‘anapali Pkwy., Kā‘anapali, 878-6763 See South Shore listing.

MYTHS OF MAUI LŪ‘AU Royal Lāhainā Resort & Bungalows, 2780 Keka'a Dr., Lāhainā, 877-273-7394

Enjoy all-you-can-eat Hawaiian fares like kālua pork, Moloka‘i sweet potato and fresh fish. Menu also includes keiki friendly choices like chicken nuggets and baked mac and cheese. Kid-friendly. Lū‘au. D, $$$$

NAPILI COFFEE STORE 5095 Napilihau St. 108B, Nāpili, 669-4170 Start your day with a fruit smoothie and a savory sandwich, or pop-in for a coffee and baked treat. Try the Brown Cow with cold brew and chocolate milk and take home fresh-baked goods, yogurt-granola parfaits, chia pudding and to-go items. Coffee Shop. $

OLD LĀHAINĀ LŪ‘AU 1251 Front St., Lāhainā, 6670700 This oceanfront venue has won the Gold ‘Aipono Award for Best Lū‘au on Maui 20 times – come see why! Begin with kalo (taro) hummus, then enjoy traditional Hawaiian dishes like lomilomi salmon or imu-roasted pork. Save room for the mangococonut chocolate bombe! Open bar. Kid-friendly. Lū‘au. D, R, $$$$

PAILOLO BAR AND GRILLThe Westin Kā‘anapali Ocean Resort Villas, 6 Kai Ala Dr., Kā‘anapali, 667-3200

Kick back with ocean views and cold drinks like the Lava Flow, rum complemented with strawberry, coconut and pineapple. Dig into coconut shrimp and food truck nachos while catching a game. American. L, H, D, $$

PIZZA PARADISO MEDITERRANEAN GRILL

3350 L. Honoapi‘ilani Hwy., Kā‘anapali, 667-2929 Juicy gyros, flavorful falafel in warm pita with a side of tabbouleh, kabob platters and pizza. Dine in or take out. Pizza/ Mediterranean. L, D, $-$$

POUR HOUSE700 Office Rd., Kapalua, 214-5296

Local ingredients elevate classic southern Italian dishes. Choose from a la carte options or indulgent tasting menus paired with global wines in an upscale setting. Italian. D, R, $$$-$$$$

ROY’S 2290 Kā‘anapali Pkwy., Kā‘anapali, 669-6999

Line up for the half-pound Maui Cattle Co. burger on a brioche bun for lunch. For dinner, try the blackened ‘ahi or the honeymustard-glazed beef short ribs. Pacific Rim. B, L, H, D, $$$$

SALE PEPE PIZZERIA E CUCINA 157 Kupuohi St., Ste. J1, Lāhainā, 667-7667 Benvenuto to the renewal of Sale Pepe, the first restaurant in Lāhainā town to reopen since the fire. This spot serves up homemade pastas and artisanal pizzas crafted by Maui’s only certified pizzaiolo. Pizza/Italian. D, R, $$-$$$

SERGIO’S CANTINA 3350 L. Honoapiʻilani Rd., #502 and #503, Lāhainā, 727-2222 Come hungry – authentic Mexican is served in large portions, like jumbo garlic shrimp or Sergio’s famous chile relleno prepared Mexico City style. 2025 ‘Aipono Silver winner for Best Mexican Cuisine. Mexican. L, H, D, N, $$

TALES OF KAPA MOE LŪ‘AU The Ritz Carlton Maui Kapalua, 1 Ritz Carlton Drive, Lāhainā, 665-7089 This delight for all senses immerses more than the taste buds with a dinner show, beautiful lūʻau and fire knife dance at the Aloha Garden Pavilion. Lūʻau. D, R, $$$$

THE SANDBAR Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, 2605 Kā‘anapali Pkwy., Kā‘anapali, 661-0031 Sample craft cocktails and island bites while enjoying an ocean view on the lanai at Kā‘anapali's only lobby bar. Hawaiian/Bar. B, D, $$

SANSEI SEAFOOD RESTAURANT & SUSHI BAR

600 S. Office Rd., Kapalua, 669-6286 Small and actionpacked, D.K. Kodama’s classy sushi b ar draws lines late into the night. Try a Kenny G roll (snapper with shiso and ponzu sauce) with a sip of sake. Pacific Rim/Sushi. D, R, $$$

THE SEA HOUSE RESTAURANT Nāpili Kai Beach Resort, 5900 L. Honoapi‘ilani Rd., Nāpili, 6691500 Start the day with oven-baked pancakes laden with fruit. Enjoy coconut-crusted shrimp as the sun sinks into Nāpili Bay. On Wednesdays, stay for Grammy Award-winner George Kahumoku Jr.’s Slack-Key Show. Pacific Rim. B, L, H, D, $$$

SON’Z STEAKHOUSE Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa, 200 Nohea Kai Dr., Kā‘anapali, 667-4506 Moroccan-spiced blackened ‘ahi with soy-mustard sauce will rock your evening. Sink your teeth into filet mignon carpaccio, rib-eye steak or mahimahi in lemon-caper butter. Pair with a craft cocktail or one of many choices of specialty wines. Pacific Rim/Steak. H, D, N, $$-$$$$

SOUTH SHORE

1054 TOGOSHI SUSHI South Maui Center, 95 E. Lipoa St., Ste. A-104, Kīhei, 868-0307 Husband-and-wife gem offers fresh, traditional seafood and sushi served with omotenashi spirit from Chef Manabu.. Japanese. D, R, $$-$$$

AKAMAI COFFEE CO. 1325 S. Kīhei Rd., #100, Kīhei, 868-3251 and 116 Wailea Ike Dr., Wailea, 868-0003 Offering 100 percent Maui-grown coffee roasted locally for the highest-quality flavor. Espresso, French press and nitro brews available. Coffee Shop. $

ALOHA PRIME EATERY South Maui Gardens, 30 Alahele Pl., Kīhei, 856-6121 The azure-blue food truck serves up fine dining with local flair. Must-order items include the potato crusted mahi, Hawaiian poke and Hoisin BBQ chicken. Food Truck/American/Local. L, D, $$

AURUM MAUI The Shops at Wailea, 3750 Wailea Alanui Dr. Wailea, 793-0054 Chef Taylor Ponte uses fresh produce and sustainable seafood to lead the menu. Pair an island okonomiyaki with pan seared kampachi. For a sweet finish, the coconut milk panna cotta.. Hawaiʻi Regional. L, D, R, $$-$$$

AMA BAR & GRILL Fairmont Kea Lani Resort, 4100 Wailea Alanui Dr., Wailea, 875-4100 Swim-up bar located at the Fairmont Kea Lani resort offering refreshments, lunch and ocean views. Hawaiian/Bar. B, L, D, $$

AMIGO’S 1215 S. Kīhei Rd., Kīhei, 661-0210 Real Mexican fajitas, tostadas, flautas and their famous wet burritos. Kid-friendly. Mexican. B, L, D $

THE BIRDCAGE Hotel Wailea, 555 Kaukahi, St., Wailea, 874-8581 Elegant, high-ceilinged bar in Hotel Wailea. Japanese-inspired tapas, small plates, wine and an extensive list of craft cocktails. Japanese/Lounge. D, N, $$$

Breakfast buffet or à la carte? Did someone mention chateaubriand? Four Seasons never disappoints. Pacific Rim/ Steak. B, D, $-$$$

EARTH ALOHA EATS 1881 S Kīhei Rd. 111, Kīhei, 867-1171 Plant-based family favorites like tacos, burgers, wraps, plates and bowls. Vegan. L, D, $

FABIANI’S PIZZERIA & BAKERY South Maui Center, 95 E. Līpoa St., Kīhei, 874-0888 Bagels and lox, fresh croissants, caprese salad with local tomatoes, thincrust and gluten-free pizza and spaghetti with pork sausage meatballs. Italian/Bakery. HR, D, $-$$

FAT DADDY’S SMOKEHOUSE 1913 S. Kīhei Rd., Kīhei, 879-8711 Pulled pork, beef brisket and pork ribs smoked 15 hours over kiawe wood. Enjoy sides: cornbread, chili-garlic beans and two cabbage slaws. American. D, $-$$

FEAST AT MŌKAPU LŪ‘AU  Andaz Maui Resort, 3550 Wailea Alanui Dr., Wailea, 573-1234 Upscale beachside lū‘au with an emphasis on Polynesian voyaging history. Known for its unique cocktails and artful, chef-crafted traditional Hawaiian plates served familystyle. Lū‘au, D, $$$$

FERRARO’S RESTAURANT & BAR Four Seasons Resort Maui, 3900 Wailea Alanui Dr., Wailea, 874-8000 Enjoy a veggie quesadilla or grilled tenderloin sandwich served poolside. For dinner, ahi rigatoni. Italian. L, H, D, $$$$

FORK & SALAD 1279 S. Kīhei Rd., Kīhei, 879-3675 Chef/ owners Cody, Travis and Jaron serve up green superfoods topped with pastrami-style seared ‘ahi, baked quinoa falafel or ginger tofu. Vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free options. International. L, D, $

FRED'S MEXICAN CAFE 2511 S. Kīhei Rd., #201, Wailea, 891-8600 Fresh, flavorful Mexican favorites with a California twist at Maui’s favorite local chain. Killer margaritas and all-day drinks in a vibrant, festive atmosphere. Mexican. B, L, H, D, $$

STAR NOODLE 1287 Front St., Lāhainā, 667-5400

Big-city style and local flavors unite. Enjoy a Golden Star sparkling jasmine tea as you drink in the view of Lāna‘i across the channel. The ramen broth is extra smoky, the Singapore noodles bright and flavorful. Asian. L, D, $$

SUNSET LŪ‘AU AT KAPALUA BAYMontage at Kapalua Bay 1 Bay Dr., Kapalua, 662-6627 This twice-weekly lū‘au caps at just 40 guests for an intimate experience. Dig into plates of ʻulu mac salad, grilled ribeye with aliʻi mushrooms and kanpanchi poke. Kid-friendly. Lū‘au, D, R, $$$$

TAVERNA 2000 Village Rd., Kapalua, 667-2426 House-made pasta, agrodolce-style fish of the day and Italian desserts stand up to the grand finale: espresso with grappa. Great wine, cocktails and craft beer. Hawaiʻi Regional. L, H, D, $$-$$$

TEDDY’S BIGGER BURGERS 335 Keawe St., Lāhainā, 661-9111 The staff hand-pat the burgers and charbroil them to order. Crowd favorite is the Kaneohe Burger with garlic, avocado, cheddar cheese and crispy bacon. Don’t miss the Kona Coffee hand scooped shake for dessert. American. L, D, $

ULU KITCHEN The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, 2365 Kā‘anapali Pkwy., Kā‘anapali, 868-0081 A chef-driven restaurant led by award winning Chef Peter Merriman, serving up local dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Hawaiian. B, L, D, $$-$$$$

‘ŪMALUHyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa, 200 Nohea Kai Dr., Kā‘anapali, 667-4902 Head poolside for Kobe beef sliders or ‘ahi poke nachos. Knock back a “Mutiny on the Carthaginian” cocktail inspired by Lāhainā’s rowdy whaling past. American/Pacific Rim. L, H, D, $$$

WAILELE POLYNESIAN LŪ‘AU  Westin Maui Resort & Spa, 2365 Kā‘anapali Parkway, Lāhainā, 661-2992 Sunset lū‘au featuring Polynesian entertainment and fire dancers. Menu runs the gamut of traditional Hawaiian and contemporary island fares. Lū‘au, D, $$$$

BLACK ROCK PIZZA 1770 S. Kīhei Rd., #1, Kīhei, 7930076 Black Rock takes “Hawaiian pizza” to the next level with wild flavor combos like the Moa Polu pizza topped with spinach, apple, chicken, bacon, blue cheese and balsamic drizzle. Pizza/Italian. L, D, $$

BLING BING South Maui Gardens, 30 Alahele Pl., Kīhei, 419-1256 Maui's only Chinese shave ice with condensed milk topped with fresh fruit, boba and jellies. Treats. $

BOTERO LOUNGE Grand Wailea Resort, 3850 Wailea Alanui Dr., Wailea, 875-1234 Named for the surrounding Fernando Botero sculptures, this lounge offers nightly entertainment. On Thirsty Thursdays, a three-cocktail tasting is just $20. Lounge. L, D, H, N, $

CAFE O’LEI 2439 S. Kīhei Rd., Kīhei, 891-1368 Choose from macadamia nut-crusted chicken, seared ‘ahi tuna, tiger shrimp linguine and other favorites. See Central listing. American/Pacific Rim. B, L, D, $$

COCONUT’S FISH CAFE  Azeka Shopping Center Mauka, 1279 S. Kīhei Rd., Kīhei, 875-9979 and 2463 S. Kīhei Rd. Kīhei, 875-4949 Dive into fresh fish tacos or grilled fish burger. The cabbage slaw with coconut dressing and mango salsa sets this eatery apart. American. L, D, $$

COOL CAT CAFE 1819 S. Kīhei Rd., Kīhei, 667-0908 Burgers, chicken, fresh fish, tacos and more in a ’50s diner atmosphere. Kid-friendly. American. L, D, $

DA KITCHEN 1215 S. Kīhei Rd., Ste. E, Kīhei, 446-3486 Local food and good vibes meet! Spam musubi, chicken katsu, kalbi ribs, locomoco and da Hawaiian plate. Hawai‘i Regional. L, D, $-$$

DIAMONDS BAR & GRILL 1279 S. Kīhei Rd., Kīhei 8749299 Casual watering hole with live music, billiards, TVs and darts. Daily food and drink specials, outdoor seating and latenight offerings. American/Bar. B. L. D. $$

DUO STEAK AND SEAFOOD Four Seasons Resort Maui, 3900 Wailea Alanui Dr., Wailea, 874-8000

GATHER ON MAUI 100 Wailea Golf Club Dr., Wailea, 698-0555 Try a mana bowl with citrus vinaigrette or the scallop and crab orzo with mac nut pesto. Panoramic views. Pacific Rim. H, L, D, $$$

GRAND LŪ‘AU 3850 WAILEA ALANUI DR., WAILEA, 875-1234 Feast on the sights, sounds and flavors of an authentic lūʻau. Pair ‘ulu mac salad with kālua pig and finish with haupia, traditional coconut Hawaiian pudding. Lūʻau. D, R, $$$$

HAVENS 30 Manao Kala St., Kīhei, 868-2600 Eat noodles with chopsticks in one hand and a smash burger in the other! Hawai‘i Regional. B, L, D, $-$$

HAVENS HARBORSIDE Maui Harbor Shops, 300 Mā'alaea Rd. 2M, Mā'alaea, 868-0555 The Havens you know and love with some additional offerings, right in the harbor. Hawai‘i Regional. L, D, $-$$

HOME MAID CAFE 1280 S. Kīhei Rd., Kīhei 874-6035 Family-owned hole-in-the-wall known for its made-to-order malasadas. Classic breakfast plates, saimin and sandwiches. American/Local. B. L. $

HUMBLE MARKET KITCHIN Wailea Beach Resort, 3700 Wailea Alanui Dr., Wailea, 879-4655 Chef Roy Yamaguchi amazes with Hawaiian sweetbread French toast for breakfast, calamari and a Magnum P.I. cocktail at happy hour, and Roy’s classic blackened island ‘ahi for dinner. Hawai‘i Regional. B, H, D, $-$$$

HUMUHUMUNUKUNUKUĀPUA‘A Grand Wailea Resort, 3850 Wailea Alanui Dr., Wailea, 875-1234 Idyllic restaurant constructed from Big Island 'ōhi'a wood overlooking Wailea Beach. Menu features a balance of land and ocean sourced Hawaiian fares like Huli Huli chicken and miso butterfish. Hawai‘i Regional. D, $$$$

ISANA Maui Beach Vacation Club, 515 S Kīhei Rd., Kīhei, 874-5700 Dine on bold sushi made from fresh-caught local fish while enjoying friendly service and an ocean view. Japanese. D, N, $$

ISLAND GOURMET MARKETS The Shops at Wailea, 3750 Wailea Alanui Dr., Wailea, 874-5055 Sushi to go, deli sandwiches, plate lunches and more. Pacific Rim. B, L, D, $

IZAKAYA GENBE Azeka Shopping Center Makai, 1280 S. Kīhei Rd. #120, Kīhei, 214-5457 A cozy ambiance marries traditional Japanese cooking in a comfortable, tavern-style setting. The Bento Menu from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. is a delightful addition. Japanese. L, H, D, $$

KA‘ANA KITCHEN Andaz Maui Resort, 3550 Wailea Alanui Dr., Wailea, 573-1234 A Wagyu hangar steak on a green papaya salad, charred octopus with local goat cheese, Kona abalone risotto and a modern take on chicken and waffles. Curated wine list and mixology at its finest. Asian Fusion. B, D, $$$$

KAI BAR AC Hotel by Marriott Maui Wailea, 88 Wailea Ike Pl., Wailea, 856-0341 Unwind by the lava stone firepit with a kiwi yuzu gin and tonic. Pair it with a diverse palate of noodle stir fry, shoyu poke bowl or passion mango cheesecake. Hawai‘i Regional/Bar. L, H, D, $$

KAMANA KITCHEN 1881 S. Kīhei Rd., Kīhei, 879-7888 Eye-catching art and Indian relics accent a menu highlighting exotic spices and dishes, all lovingly created from family recipes. Lunch buffet. Indian. L, D, $-$$

KŌ Fairmont Kea Lani Resort, 4100 Wailea Alanui Dr., Wailea, 875-2210 Plantation Era cuisine takes the spotlight. Try the Kobe beef poke appetizer and “On the Rock” – three mouthwatering morsels of ‘ahi served with a 300-degree lava rock to sear them to perfection. Pacific Rim. L, H, D, R, $$$

KOHOLĀ BREWERY 112 Wailea Ike Dr, Wailea, 8680010 Talk story while enjoying a signature IPA and local-style bar food. Brewery. L, D, N, $$

KOISO SUSHI BAR 2395 S. Kīhei Rd., Kīhei, 8758258 This hidden gem has limited seating, but Chef Hirosan’s craft is apparent in every fresh dish like the spicy tuna, rainbow and salmon avocado rolls. Japanese/Sushi. D, $$$

KOMO Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, 3900 Wailea Alanui Dr., Wailea, 874-8000 This upscale establishment is best known for high-quality sushi and mystery box, a surprise selection of rare seafood from Tokyo’s renowned Uogashi Market. Sushi/Japanese. D, $$$$

KIHEI CAFFE Kīhei Kalama Village, 1945 S. Kīhei Rd., Kīhei, 879-2230 Hungry at 5 a.m.? Head to this local hangout for banana-mac-nut pancakes and a cuppa joe. Cafe. B, L, $-$$

KRAKEN COFFEE MAUI 1975 S Market Pl., Kīhei and 1 Piikea Ave., Kīhei 495-1885, 879-2230 See Central listing

LE BAZAAR MAUI Azeka Shopping Center Makai, 1280 S Kīhei Rd. #107, Kīhei, 268-0545 Start your dining experience by cleansing your hands with orange blossom water, then immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and flavors of the Middle East through a six-course dinner, ending the night with Moroccan mint tea. Moroccan. D, $$$$

LEHUA LOUNGE Andaz Maui Resort, 3550 Wailea Alanui Dr., Wailea, 573-1234 Cocktails created with local seasonal ingredients, such as lychee, liliko‘i (passion fruit) and Hawaiian navel oranges, pair perfectly with Ka‘ana Kitchen’s award-winning menu. Asian Fusion/Lounge. H, $

LINEAGE The Shops at Wailea, 3750 Wailea Alanui Dr., Wailea, 879-8800 If Cantonese lobster noodles and leeks, ginger and XO butter, crispy Korean chicken with pickles made in house and Wagyu Kalbi short ribs with garlic rice get your juices flowing, head to Wailea. Eat. Drink. Talk story. Pacific Rim. D, $-$$

LOBBY LOUNGE Four Seasons Resort Maui, 3900 Wailea Alanui Dr., Wailea, 874-8000 Impeccable service, a locally sourced menu, swanky cocktails and performances by local musicians. Stay refreshed with the island watermelon salad to pair with Kona lobster or 17 pieces of the chef’s special selection of maki rolls, sashimi and nigiri. Pacific Rim/Lounge. H, D, N, $$$$

MANOLI’S PIZZA COMPANY 100 Wailea Ike Dr., Wailea, 874-7499 Manoli’s believes in fresh, organic and sustainable ingredients. Order a pizza with organic wheat or gluten-free crust, or dig into authentic chicken scaloppine with a specialty cocktail or beer. Open Late. Italian/Pizza. L, H, D, N, $$

MATTEO’S OSTERIA Wailea Town Center, 161 Wailea Ike Pl., Wailea, 879-8466 Matteo’s meatball sandwich with Maui Cattle Co. beef and Italian sausage, or try ‘ahi crusted with Calabrese olive tapenade. Italian. L, H, D, $$-$$$

MAUI BREAD CO. Dolphin Plaza, 2395 S. Kīhei Rd., #117, Kīhei, 757-8740 Artisanal fusion of Hawaiian and German flavors, such as handmade ube loaves, P.O.G. bread, German spelt bread and pretzel croissants. A must-visit bakery in Kīhei! Hawai‘i Regional/Bakery. B, BR, $

MAUI BREWING CO. 605 Līpoa Pkwy., Kīhei, 201-2337 This off-the-grid brewery offers 36 craft and specialty beers, as well as burgers, pizzas, fish tacos and salads. Brewery/Pacific Rim/American. L, H, D, N, $-$$

MAUI LOBSTER KING 1280 S. Kīhei Rd., Kīhei, 573-8818 This casual eatery offers bold Cajun seafood boils and crispy salt and pepper lobster, along with classic plate lunch options. Seafood. L, D, $$-$$$

MAUI PIE Azeka Shopping Center, 1280 S. Kīhei Rd., #101, Kīhei, 298-0473 A slice of heaven awaits. Try the tropical liliko‘i or chocolate haupia pudding cream pies. For savory cravings, the chicken pot pie is a must. Bakery. B, L, D, $

MAUI THAI BISTRO Rainbow Mall, 2439 S. Kīhei Rd., Kīhei, 874-5605 Thai food cooked by Thai chefs. Kaffirscented tom yum fried rice, green mango salad with crispy fried-fish filets and house curries. Beer and wine bar. Thai. L, D, $-$$

MISO PHAT SUSHI Azeka Shopping Center Mauka, 1279 S. Kīhei Rd., Kīhei, 891-6476 Sushi served on-site, togo or delivered. Sashimi platters, sushi rolls, nigiri and specialty rolls. Omakase heaven! See also West Side listing. Japanese. L, H, D, $$

MONKEYPOD KITCHEN Wailea Gateway Center, 10 Wailea Gateway Pl., Wailea, 891-2322 Lunch at this Peter Merriman chain includes pizza, burgers, tacos and ramen. For dinner, Big Island rib-eye with chimichurri sauce and banana cream pie. See also West Side listing. Hawai‘i Regional/American. L, H, D, N, $$

MOOSE MCGILLYCUDDY'S 2511 S. Kīhei Rd., Kīhei, 891-8600 Serving up pub classics, happy hour specials and oceanfront views from the lanai. Family-friendly with free trivia on Wednesdays and bingo every Monday night. American. B, L, H, D, $$

MORIMOTO MAUI 3550 Wailea Alanui Dr., Wailea, 2434766 Headed by celebrity chef Masaharu Morimoto, this sleek restaurant in the Andaz Maui Resort fuses Japanese and Western fares. Enjoy wagyu steaks, sushi and sashimi paired with premium, aged or nigori sake. Japanese/American. L, D, $$-$$$

MULLIGANS ON THE BLUE100 Kaukahi St., Wailea, 874-1131 Guinness poured properly at Maui’s only Irishowned pub. Enjoy fish and chips, bangers and mash, and shepherd’s pie. Great music and sports-bar action, too. Sláinte! Irish/Bar. L, H, D, $-$$$

NALU’S SOUTH SHORE GRILL Azeka Shopping Center Makai, 1280 S. Kīhei Rd., Kīhei, 891-8650 Generous portions made with local ingredients served with aloha. Try the ahi club fresh yellow fin tuna, with applewood smoked bacon and caramelized Maui onions on sourdough. American/Pacific Rim. B, L, H, D, $-$$

NICK’S FISHMARKET Fairmont Kea Lani Resort, 4100 Wailea Alanui Dr., Wailea, 879-7224 Enjoy classic seafood dishes beneath the stars. Woo your date with plump strawberries drenched in Grand Marnier and set aflame. Pacific Rim/Seafood. H, D, R, $$$$

NOBU Grand Wailea Resort, 3850 Wailea Alanui Dr., Wailea, 875-1234 The first Nobu, an esteemed restaurant known for its Japanese and Peruvian fusion, has arrived at the Grand Wailea. Nobu’s signature dishes include black cod with miso, yellowtail jalapeño and rock shrimp tempura. Sushi/Japanese. D, R, $$$$

NUTCHAREE’S AUTHENTIC THAI FOOD Azeka Shopping Center Makai, 1280 S. Kīhei Rd., Kīhei, 633-4840

Start with the ‘ahi laab tartare salad or crispy fish and mango salad, then dig into tender braised short ribs smothered in massaman curry. Don’t forget the spring rolls! Thai. L, D, $-$$

OAO – SUSHI BAR & GRILL Wailea Gateway Center, 34 Wailea Gateway Pl., Kīhei, 666-8139 Sushi bar and grill offering fresh sushi, steak and cocktails. Try the Firecracker roll with lobster, avocado, kimchi ahi poke, cucumber, jalapeño, onions and unagi sauce. Pacific Rim. L, D, N, $$$

OLIVINE Grand Wailea Resort, 3850 Wailea Alanui Dr., Wailea, 875-1234 Oceanfront dining specializing in coastal Italian cuisine, featuring handmade pastas and seasonal dishes that blend local Hawaiian ingredients with authentic Italian flavors. Italian. L, D, $$$

PAIA FISH MARKET RESTAURANT 1913 S. Kīhei Rd., Kīhei, 874-8888 See North Shore listing.

PANIOLOS STEAK AND SEAFOOD BAR AND GRILL 1279 S. Kīhei Rd., Ste. D201, Kīhei, 868-0086 This Lāhainā transplant serves steakhouse fare with a local twist. Offerings include prime rib, grilled seafood, ribeye, filet, and barbecue with sides like garlic mashed potatoes and sautéed greens. Steakhouse/Seafood. H, D, R, $$$-$$$$

PEGGY SUE’S 1279 S. Kīhei Rd., Kīhei, 214-6786 Bright 1950s style diner with jukebox serving burgers, creative hot dogs and old-fashioned milkshakes with over 20 different flavors. American. L. D. $$

PILINA Fairmont Kea Lani Resort, 4100 Wailea Alanui Dr., Wailea, 875-4100 Sip on oceanfront views and inventive libations like the ‘Āina, a rum cocktail infused with vanilla and Kona coffee. Includes sushi, raw dishes and a hot rock experience. Hawai‘i Regional/Bar. L, D, $$-$$$

THE PINT & CORK The Shops at Wailea, 3750 Wailea Alanui Dr., Wailea, 727-2038 Order mac ‘n’ cheese with black truffles, shrimp and grits with chorizo, poke bowls and burgers. Score breakfast during football season, too! American/Bar. L, H, D, N, $-$$

PITA PARADISE Wailea Gateway Center, 34 Wailea Ike Dr., Wailea, 879-7177 Start with spinach tiropitas with caramelized onions, feta, mozzarella and tzatziki wrapped in phyllo dough. Finish with baklava ice-cream cake. Mediterranean. L, H, D, $-$$$

PIZZA MADNESS 1455 S Kīhei Rd., Kīhei, 270-9888 Classic pizza joint with thick-crust pies, salads and wings in the heart of Kīhei. Open for dine-in, takeaway and happy hour. Pizza. L, D, $$

POINT BREAK PIZZA & PANINI Maui Harbor Shops, 300 Mā'alaea Rd., Mā'alaea, 868-0014 Homemade pizza dough and focaccia bread packs each artisan pizza and paninis full of flavor. Pizza. L, D, $$

THE RESTAURANT AT HOTEL WAILEA Hotel Wailea, 555 Kaukahi St., Wailea, 879-2224 Produce from the hotel’s gardens, fish plucked from the sea and a gorgeous outdoor setting. European-inspired. B, D, R, $$-$$$$

ROASTED CHILES Azeka Shopping Center Mauka, 1279 S. Kīhei Rd., Kīhei, 868-4357 Ofir and Suki Benitez share family recipes like chicken mole, pozole verde and langostino enchiladas with tomatillo cream sauce. Giant margaritas! Mexican. L, H, D, $-$$

RUTH’S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE The Shops at Wailea, 3750 Wailea Alanui Dr., Wailea, 874-8880 Known for sizzling steaks served on 500-degree plates, this chain offers filet, ribeye, New York strip, seafood, salads and shareable sides.. American/Steak. H, D, N, R, $$$$

SEASCAPE RESTAURANT Maui Ocean Center, 192 S. Mā‘alaea Rd., Mā‘alaea, 270-7068 Adjacent to an award-winning aquarium, Seascape serves up Mahimahi sandwiches with fresh cabbage slaw, half-pound burgers and fresh veggies. American/Pacific Rim. L, H, D (Sat & Sun), $$-$$$

SOUTH MAUI FISH COMPANY 1794 S. KĪHEI RD., KĪHEI, 419-8980 ll fish is locally sourced. Mouthwatering signature dishes are fish tacos slathered in unagi sauce and a 1/2-pound poke bowl with rice and slaw. Food Truck/ Seafood. L, D, $$

SOUTH SHORE TIKI LOUNGE Kīhei Kalama Village, 1913 S. Kīhei Rd., Kīhei, 874-6444 Gourmet pizza, burgers, salads and vegetarian items round out the menu at this hip bar. American. L, D, N, $

SPAGO Four Seasons Resort, 3900 Wailea Alanui Dr., Wailea, 874-8000 Celebrity Chef Wolfgang Puck's Hawaiian outpost is a celebration of fresh local ingredients. Start with fresh poke nestled in crunchy sesame-miso cones then explore our ever-evolving menu. Pacific Rim. D, N, R, $$-$$$$

SUGAR BEACH BAKE SHOP 61 S. Kīhei Rd., Kīhei, 757-8285 An ever-changing selection of sweet desserts and breakfast are baked fresh daily with sweet cream butter, lilikoʻi, Dole bananas and pineapples, and Maui Meyer lemon zest. Treats. B, L, $$

SUNS OUT BUNS OUT 1 Piikea Ave., Kīhei, 865-2867 Fresh, handcrafted bao buns of all different flavors with an island flair. Don't miss the specialty ube bao. Food Truck/ Fusion. L, D, $

TANPOPO 1215 S. Kīhei Rd., #F, Kīhei, 446-3038 Lunch includes Japanese-style chicken curry, California rolls and beef burgers. Dinner fuses Italian and Japanese with pasta, flatbreads, sashimi, sushi and tempura. Japanese/Italian Fusion. L, D, $-$$$

TE AU MOANA LŪ‘AU Wailea Beach Resort, 3700 Wailea Alanui Dr., Wailea, 877-827-2740 Enjoy a threecourse meal of pork roasted underground in an imu paired with traditional poi, made from cooked corms of kalo (taro). End with guava chiffon cake. Lūʻau. D, R, $$$$

THREE’S BAR & GRILL 1945-G S. Kīhei Rd., Kīhei, 879-3133 Eggs Benedict six ways, including seared ahi, smoked salmon and prime rib. For lunch, Peruvian pork tacos or signature ramen. For dinner, truffle-yaki marinated flatiron steak. Pacific Rim/Southwestern. B, L, H, D, $$-$$$

TIKEHAU LOUNGE Wailea Village, 116 Wailea Ike Dr. #2104, Kīhei, 214-6500 Innovative cocktails and pūpū inspired by Polynesian places and flavors. Pacific Rim. H, D, N, $$

TOMMY BAHAMA RESTAURANT & BAR The Shops at Wailea, 3750 Wailea Alanui Dr., Wailea, 875-9983

Who’d guess a clothing company could deliver such delish pork sandwiches and Caribbean-inspired libations? Caribbean/Pacific Rim. L, H, D, N, $-$$

THE TREEHOUSE AT HOTEL WAILEA, 555 Kaukahi, St., Wailea, 874-0500 A unique dining experience tucked in the branches of mango and avocado trees. Seven course private chef dinner with wine pairings for up to six people (seated). Private Dining, D, R, $$$$

ULULANI’S HAWAIIAN SHAVE ICE 61 S. Kīhei Rd., Kīhei, 877-3700 Homemade tropical-flavored syrups such as liliko‘i and coconut set this shave-ice business apart. Treats. $

WAIKIKI BREWING COMPANY The Shops at Wailea, 3750 Wailea Alanui Dr. B25, Wailea, 868-0935 Paddy’s Irish Stout and Waikele Wheat brew temper the heat of the jalapeño queso dip served with a giant pretzel. American. B, L, H, D $$

WOLFGANG'S STEAKHOUSE The Shops at Wailea, 3750 Wailea Alanui Dr. B22, Wailea, 727-2011 An upscale steakhouse by Wolfgang Zwiener serving USDA Prime Black Angus beef steak, complemented by fine wine and fresh seafood. American. D $$$$

CENTRAL

808 OLD TOWN 2051 Main St., Wailuku 242-1111 Soup, paninis, sandwiches and salads in a stylish spot on Main Street. Open for breakfast, and a Wailuku lunchtime favorite. American. L, $$

ACEVEDO'S HAWAICANO CAFE 190 Alamaha St. 7A, Kahului, 385-3752 Blending Mexican and Hawaiian heritage with California-style fare and plate lunches. Try the Fish Ceviche Bowl with cabbage, onion, tomato, guacamole and chipotle aioli. Mexican/Mixed Plate. L, D, $-$$

ALIVE & WELL (BROTH CAFE) 340 Hāna Hwy., Kahului, 877-4950 Alive & Well health store's Broth Cafe serves health-focused wraps, bowls, smoothies, bahn mi and salads. Try the green burrito with sweet potato or taro bahn mi and tan tan ramen. International, B, L, $-$$

AMIGO'S 333 Dairy Rd. 110B, Kahului, 872-9525 See South Shore listing

A SAIGON CAFE 1792 Main St., Wailuku, 243-9560 Squeeze into a booth and order a Vietnamese burrito, clay pot or lemongrass curry. Also popular are the green papaya salad, sizzling fish and garlic noodles.. Vietnamese. L, D, $-$$

BA-LE 1824 Oihana St., Wailuku 249-8833 Vietnamese counter-service eatery with bahn mi, pho, plate lunches and fresh baked bread and croissants. Additional locations in Kahului, Kīhei and Lāhainā. Vietnamese. L, D, $$

HAVENS CHOW CART Plate Lunch Marketplace, 591 Haleakalā Hwy., Kahului, 868-0555 Enjoy the same smash burgers and sushi at this gourmet food truck. Plenty kau kau! See also South Shore listing. Food Truck/American. L, D, $

KALEI'S LUNCHBOX 52 Maui Lani Pkwy., Wailuku, 793-3104 2025 ʻAipono Gold Best Plate Lunch serves Hawaiian comfort food and plate lunches like the Furikake Mochiko Chicken served with rice and macaroni salad. Mixed Plate. B, L, D, $$ KING’S CHINESE BBQ 197 N. Market St. #1717, Wailuku 242-8848 No frills, counter-service joint serving Chinese BBQ and local favorites like saimin and spam musubi. Chinese, Mixed Plate. B, L, D, $$

KOHO'S GRILL AND BAR Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center, 275 W. Ka‘ahumanu Ave., #245, Kahului, 877-5588 Start with crab cake benedict for breakfast, mushroom burger for lunch and charbroiled chicken smothered in Koho sauce for dinner. American. B, L, H, D, $$-$$$

KRAKEN COFFEE MAUI 520 Keolani Pl., Kahului, 633-7499 and 329 Alamaha St., Kahului 866-9817 Specialty coffees include the Haleakalatte, Kīhei Kicker and Mochawao. Iced drinks are served over coffee ice cubes Coffee Shop. $

LAS ISLITAS 520 Keolani Pl., Kahului, 359-1631 Island tacos, burritos and quesadillas filled with fresh ingredients Mexican. L, D, $$

LAS PIÑATAS OF MAUI 395 Dairy Rd., Kahului, 8778707 Try one of the signature kitchen sink burritos stuffed with your meat of choice, guacamole, beans, rice and more. Mexican. B, L, H, D, $-$$

dishes include taro gnocchi, tender oxtail katsu, green tea soba carbonara and miso-broiled local fish. Asian Fusion/ Hawai‘i Regional. L, D, $$

THE PARLAY 2086 Main St., Wailuku 214-5161 Enjoy craft cocktails and elevated bar food at this retro-style tavern situated in the heart of Wailuku Town. Try the French Puddin' Toast with banana, caramel and pecan crumble on a flan-soaked croissant. American. L, H, D, $

RAMEN YA Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center, 275 W Ka‘ahumanu Ave., Kahului, 873-9688 Explore over a dozen unique ramen options. Opt for the big bowl ramen to savor a variety of flavors in one dish. Japanese. L, D, $$

SAM SATO’S 1750 Wili Pa Loop, Wailuku, 244-7124

This beloved Maui restaurant sets the standard for dry mein, saimin, chow fun, barbecue sticks, manju and local-style plate lunches. Asian. B, L, $

SHIKEDA BENTO PATISSERIE 2050 Main St., Wailuku 500-2556 Japanese bento and patisserie shop in the Main Street food court. Arrive early for bentos and colorful pastries like azuki cream puffs, matcha berry rolls and ube coconut shortcake. Japanese, B, L, $-$$

SIXTYTWO MARCKET 62 N Market St., 793-2277

Part market, part brunch joint with artfully plated eggs benedict, frittatas and omelettes. Lunch time offerings include soup, sandwiches and salads. American. B, L, $$

STILLWELL'S BAKERY 1740 W Ka‘ahumanu Ave, Wailuku, 243-2243 Serving up homemade delights from flaky pastries to the famous cream horns. Hearty sandwiches, Chinese chicken salad and homemade dressings like raspberry vinaigrette are fan favorites. Bakery. B, L, D, $-$$

BALAI PATA 425 Koloa St. #104, Kahului, 727-2230

Discover the vibrant flavors of the Philippines at Chef Joey Macadangdang’s innovative new restaurant. Indulge in specialties like crispy duck pata and balai sigang. Filipino. L, D, $-$$

BISTRO CASANOVA 33 Lono Ave., Kahului, 873-3650 Relaxed urban bistro near the airport serving Mediterranean favorites like seafood paella for two, burrata caprese, housemade pastas and fresh-cut fries. Full bar and happy hour. Mediterranean. L, H, D, R, $-$$

CAFE O’LEI AT THE MILL HOUSE Maui Tropical Plantation, 1670 Honoapi‘ilani Hwy., Waikapū, 500-0553 Fun, expanded menu at the restaurant group’s newest venue. The most beautiful mountain view in the Central Valley! Hawai‘i Regional. L, H, D, R, $-$$$

DA GRATEFUL DOUGH 553 Haleakalā Hwy., Kahului, 772-2697 Home of Maui’s wild venison pizza, this food truck is known for its flavor combinations like Da Fig-GetAbout-It and Da Upcountry Veggie. Food Truck/Pizza. L, D, $$

ESTERS FAIR PROSPECT 2050 Main St., Wailuku, 868-0056 Serving classic cocktails, tiki drinks, spirits, rum, mezcal, wine and beer. Local farm-to-table-inspired small bites. Rosé wine and daiquiris during happy hour. Open 2-10 p.m. Bar. H, N, $

FORK & SALAD Pu‘unene Shopping Center, 120 Ho‘okele St., #330, Kahului, 793-3256 See South Shore listing

FOUR SISTERS BAKERY 1968 E. Vineyard St., Wailuku, 244-9333 At this family-run Wailuku spot, there’s typically a line outside the door for their soft butter rolls, malasadas and other tasty treats. Bakery. B, L, $

FUEGO ARGENTINIAN STEAKHOUSE 1333 Maui Lani Pkwy., Kahului, 633-4436 Cozy indoor and outdoor seating on the Dunes at Maui Lani Golf Course. Argentinianstyle barbeque, pasta, sandwiches, cocktails and wines. Latin-inspired. B, L, D $$-$$$

GIANOTTO'S PIZZA 2050 Main St., Wailuku 244-8282 Bodega-style eatery with pizzas and homestyle Italian served with aloha. Pizza. L, D, $

MARCO’S GRILL AND DELI 444 Hāna Hwy, Kahului 877-4466 Family friendly Italian-American diner with homestyle eats like meatball subs, vodka rigatoni and shrimp scampi. Classic breakfast plates available before 12 p.m. Italian, B, L, D, $$-$$$

MAUI COOKIE LAB Kahului Office Center, 140 Ho‘ohana St., Ste. 101, Kahului, 300-0022 Handcrafted with aloha, serving classic cookies with a tropical twist like liliko‘i oatmeal and pineapple macadamia nut. Treats. $

MAUI COFFEE ROASTERS 444 Hāna Hwy., Kahului, 877-CUPS (2877) Pastries, muffins, salads, sandwiches, wraps, and bagels and lox made to order. Fresh-roasted coffee beans set this experience above the rest. “Happy Cappy Hour” 2-6 p.m. Coffee Shop. B, L, H, $

MAUI FRESH STREATERY MauiFreshStreatery .com Kyle Kawakami dishes up imaginative poutine, ethnic dishes from around the world, and a modern take on local fare. Follow him on Facebook for locations. Food Truck/ Hawaiian/Fusion. L, $

MIKO’S CUISINE 1764 Wili Pa Loop, Wailuku, 868-2914 Eatery serving Chinese, Korean and Japanese dishes including sushi, bibimbap, misoyaki butterfish, bulgogi and udon. Known for its fun, welcoming vibe with frequent birthday serenades. Asian. L, D, $$

MIYAKO SUSHI 1883 Wili Pa Loop, Wailuku, 244-0085

Sequestered Okazuya-style sushi joint also specializing in antiques, local snacks and nostalgic Japanese groceries. Carryout only. Japanese. B, L, $

MOMONA BAKERY AND COFFEE SHOP 7 E Kaahumanu Ave., Kahului, 214-5389 Chic, spacious coffee shop serving fresh pastries, including cakes and Argentinia style croissants. Bakery/Coffee Shop. B, L, $

THAI MEE UP Plate Lunch Marketplace, 591 Haleakalā Hwy., Kahului, 214-3369 Addictive fried pork ribs and luscious pad Thai noodles. Curry, too! Thai. Food Truck/Thai. L, D, $

TIKI TIKI THAI CUISINE Dairy Center, 395 Dairy Rd., Kahului, 893-0026 Taste authentic Thai at family-owned Tiki Tiki. Fresh herbs from their own garden bring traditional flavors to life. Favorites include drunken noodles, yellow curry and papaya salad. Thai. L, D, $$

TIN ROOF MAUI 360 Papa Pl., Kahului, 868-0753

Sheldon Simeon of Bravo’s Top Chef builds memorable kau kau bowls filled with mochiko chicken or garlic shrimp. Try the double-fried-chicken sandwich on a brioche bun with house-made pickles. Pacific Rim. L, $

TJ’S WAREHOUSE 875 Alua St., Wailuku, 244-7311

Located in Wailuku Industrial Park, TJ’s serves plate lunch to go: chicken katsu, fried saba and daily hot specials like potato croquettes, nishime and poke. Asian. B, L, $

TASTY CRUST 1770 Mill St., Wailuku, 244-0845 A Maui mainstay since 1942 serving breakfast classics and islandstyle lunch and dinner. American, Mixed Plate. B, L, D, $

TIFFANY’S 1424 Lower Main St., Wailuku 249-0052

Helmed by Chef Sheldon Simeon, Tiffany’s serves Filipino, Japanese and island-style dishes like garlic noodles, pork belly lechon, kim chee fried rice and Hilo-style sashimi. Pacific Rim. Lunch opens weekend. Asian, Local. L, D, $$

TOKYO TEI 1063 Lower Main St., Wailuku 242-9630

Longstanding Wailuku staple with authentic Japanese fares made from scratch in a family-friendly atmosphere. Japanese. L, D, $$

MY THAI MAUI 230 Hāna Hwy, Kahului 877-8887

Winner of 2025 ʻAipono Restaurant of the Year. Serves authentic Thai plates like tom kha, larb and pad woon sen. Favorites like curry, pad thai and bao are also on offer. Don't miss the mango sticky rice for dessert. Thai, L, D, $$

OGO 331 Ho‘okahi St., Ste. 201, Wailuku, 866-8224

Craving local Hawaiian bites with an Asian twist? Popular

ULULANI’S HAWAIIAN SHAVE ICE 333 Dairy Rd., Kahului Second Central Maui location: 50 Maui Lani Pkwy., Wailuku See West Side listing.

UMI MAUI 1951 Vineyard St., Wailuku, 500-1802 and 1440 Lower Main St., Wailuku, 633-2502. If a California roll topped with tuna, hamachi, salmon and unagi rocks your world, then chef Jayse Sato’s restaurant is your earthquake! Creative presentations, epic soft-shell crab bao buns. BYOB. Japanese. D, $-$$

WAILUKU COFFEE COMPANY 26 N. Market St., Wailuku, 495-0259 Espresso, breakfast bagels, fresh salads and specialty sandwiches in a relaxed, eclectic setting with local art displays. Coffee Shop. B, L, $

UPCOUNTRY

ALBA’S CUBAN COLADAS 55 Kiopaa St., Makawao, 305-773-7107 This coffee truck brings bold, rich flavors of authentic Cuban coffee, serving up potent espresso and traditional cuisine. Coffee Shop. $

CASANOVA 1188 Makawao Ave., Makawao, 572-0220

Upscale Italian with delicious fresh pastas, wood-fired pizzas and polished service. Don't miss the wood-fired homemade focaccia served with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Italian. D, R, $$

ESPRESSO MAFIA 3617 Baldwin Ave., Makawao, 286-9422 Options for every coffee lover with light bites on the side. Order a slice of fresh baked banana bread and a coconut cold brew, or try the ube latte for a violet delight! Coffee Shop. $

FRESHIES Makawao Courtyard, 3620 Baldwin Ave., Makawao, 868-2350 Serving vegetarian and vegan-friendly recipes, each bite of their fresh food is a delight, from a musubi omelet with diced Spam to the coconut red curry bowl with tofu. American. B, L, $-$$

GRANDMA’S COFFEE HOUSE 9232 Kula Hwy., Kēōkea, 878-2140 The eggs Benedict and baked goods made from scratch are worth the trek. For lunch, enjoy a hamburger with Swiss cheese and caramelized onions served with chips and coleslaw. Coffee Shop/Cafe. B, L, $-$$

HALI‘IMAILE GENERAL STORE 900 Hali‘imaile Rd., Makawao, 572-2666 Located on the road to Haleakalā, this farm-to-table restaurant blends Hawaiian and Asian cuisine. Don't miss the signature Maui Gold pineapple upside down cake. Pacific Rim. L, D, $$$

JOY’S PLACE LIVE 81 Makawao Ave., Pukalani, 5722186 Maui’s go-to for take-home health eats from hearty bone broths to Buddha bowls, vegan desserts, tonics and almond shakes. Homemade soups made daily. Cafe. B, L, D, $-$$

KALEI'S LUNCHBOX 55 Pukalani St., Makawao, 793-0151 See Central listing.

KOJIMA'S SUSHI RESTAURANT 81 Makawao Ave., #114, Pukalani, 573-2859 Casual dining in the heart of Pukalani brings a fresh take on island-inspired sushi classics featuring favorites like the rainbow roll, Hawaiian roll and zesty, spicy edamame. Japanese. D, $$-$$$

KOMODA STORE AND BAKERY 3674 Baldwin Ave., Makawao, 572-7261 This Makawao staple has been around since 1916. They bake delicious sweets like a guava malasada, cream puffs and donuts on a stick. Bakery. B, L, $$

KULA BISTRO 4566 Lower Kula Rd., Kula, 871-2960

Nestled on Haleakalā’s slopes is a cozy Italian bistro serving homestyle food. The coconut shrimp with Molokai mashed potatoes is a work of art on a plate. Italian/ American. B, BR, L, D, $$

KULA LODGE 15200 Haleakalā Hwy., Kula, 878-1535

Come for the beautiful views and manicured garden, stay for a farm-to-table brunch and wood-fired pizzas. Enjoy crispy french fries smothered in Maui Nui venison ragout and mozzarella during Happy Hour. American, Pacific Rim. B, L, H, D, $$$

KULAMALU FOOD TRUCK LOT Kiopa‘a St., Pukalani, (next to Upcountry Longs) An eclectic array of fare, including vegetarian, plate lunch, açai bowls, barbecue and more. Food Truck. $-$$

LA PROVENCE 3158 L. Kula Rd., Kula, 878-1313 Perfect croissants, fruit tarts, blueberry-mango scones and artisan breads baked fresh daily. Cash only. French/Bakery. B, L, (Wed-Sun), $

MAHALO ALEWORKS30 Kupaoa St., #101, Pukalani Taste of Maui’s wild side with unique beers like a starfruit rose or Kupa‘a mango sour, each made from foraged yeast and local fruit for an upcountry flavor. Brewery. L, H, D. $-$$

MAKAWAO PUBLIC HOUSE 3612 BALDWIN AVE., MAKAWAO, 298-0590 The gastropub pays homage to this historic paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) town with Uncle Dave’s kalo burger, kanaka stew, and bangers and mash. Hawaiʻi Regional. D, $$$

MARLOW 30 Kupaoa St., A104, Pukalani, 868-3366 Chef Jeff and Kaili Scheer serve wood-fired sourdough pizza, house-made pasta, killer meatballs and rustic salads using local Maui ingredients. The menu rotates with the seasons, featuring vegan pizzas and cocktails. Italian. D, $-$$

MAUI PIZZA TRUCK 24 Kiopaa St., Makawao, 2766529 Voted Best Pizza on Maui for its wood-fired pizzas topped with island ingredients like Maui pineapple and kalua pork. Pizza. L, D, $$

MAUIWINE 14815 Pi‘ilani Hwy., ‘Ulupalakua, 878-6058 Enjoy wine tastings and light fare on the open-air lānai. Immaculate grounds surround the wine-tasting room, which features estate-grown blends and pineapple wines. Winery. L, $-$$

‘OHANA ISLAND GRINDZ 3647 Baldwin Ave., Makawao, 500-3429 Cozy up with ‘ohana for local Hawaiian fare like saimin, loco moco and kalua pork. Don’t miss a scoop of classic or fruity ice cream. Hawai‘i Regional. B, L, $-$$

POLLI’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT 1202 Makawao Ave., Makawao 572-7808 A Makawao cornerstone, this local watering hole is famous for its margaritas, Tex-Mex style fares and buzzy vibe. Mexican. L, H, D, $$-$$$

OCEAN ORGANIC VODKA4051 Omaopio Rd., Kula, 877-0009 Relax and enjoy the panoramic view of the island as you sip on signature Ocean Organic Vodka and Kula Rum cocktails. For dinner, try the Uncle's Favorite flatbread or fresh ocean poke nachos. Pacific Rim. L, D, $$

O'O FARM 651 Waipoli Rd., Kula, 856-0141 Learn about gardening and coffee roasting. Enjoy a breakfast veggie frittata, bread from the wood-burning oven and freshroasted coffee. Lunch includes chicken and fish entrees, veggies and dessert. American. B, L, R, $$$$

SATORI 3655 Baldwin Ave., Makawao 727-9638 Enjoy healthy sushi handrolls, like the Green Goddess with vegan mac nut pesto, ramen and inventive sushi specials with cozy outdoor seating in heart of Makawao. Food Truck/ Japanese. L, D, $$

ULUPALAKUA RANCH STORE & GRILL 14800 Pi‘ilani Hwy., ‘Ulupalakua, 878-2561 Deli fare, lamb burgers with tzatziki and beef or grass-fed venison burgers. Plus, homestyle chili and rice, or kālua pork plate lunch. American. L, D, $

VIDA BY SIP ME 3671 Baldwin Ave., Unit H-101, Makawao, 868-0868 Vida delights the tastebuds with organic favorites like their rose latte, cold-pressed juices and pastries. Grab a bag of exclusive Vida Blend coffee, with notes of cherry, walnut and dark chocolate. Coffee Shop. B, L, $

THE WOODEN CRATE Lumerida Healing Retreat, 1813 Baldwin Ave., Makawao, 579-8877 Enjoy farm-to-table dining on a serene retreat landscape with clean, nutritious recipes incorporating harvested fruit and produce into a seasonal menu. Vegan/Vegetarian. B, L, D, $$$$

NORTH SHORE

AUMAKUA KAVA LOUNGE149 Hāna Hwy., Unit 3B, Pā‘ia, 793-3232 Tiki-inspired non-alcoholic mocktails made with kava, a traditional root beverage. Sip on the lychee fishbowl made with liliko‘i & lychee syrup, grapefruit, lime juice, bitters and kava. Lounge. $-$$

THE BOBA BAR 2 Baldwin Ave., Pā‘ia, 727-2445 Local boba gem bursting with flavor. Try delicious concoctions

such as brown sugar matcha, honeydew milk tea and honey lavender latte. Treats. $

BAKED ON MAUI Pauwela Cannery, 375 W. Kuiaha Rd., #37, Ha‘ikū, 575-7836 Fresh artisan breads, irresistible cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting and a warm, welcoming atmosphere with every shot of espresso. Serves coffee, breakfast and lunch. Bakery/Coffee Shop. B, L, $$

CAFÉ DES AMIS 42 Baldwin Ave., Pā‘ia, 579-6323 Savory crêpes served with wild greens and a dollop of sour cream. Lightly spiced curries come with chutney and raita (Indian yogurt sauce). Kid-friendly. Mediterranean. L, D, $

CAFE MAMBO 30 Baldwin Ave., Pā‘ia, 579-8021 Quaint Australian and European style cafe with all-day brunch and cocktail hours. Try the Toast Special with tomato confi on sourdough with whipped goat cheese and balsamic glaze. European. B, BR, L, $$

COLLEEN'S AT THE CANNERY Ha‘ikū Market, 810 Ha‘ikū Rd., Ha‘ikū, 575-9211 Hearty New American fare. Comfort food done right, from eggs benedict for breakfast to dinnertime’s popular vodka penne and Maui beef burger. American. B, L, H, D, $$-$$$

CHOICE HEALTH BAR 11 Baldwin Ave., Pā‘ia, 6617711 See West Side listing.

FLATBREAD COMPANY 701 Hana Hwy., Pāʻia, 5798844 Big booths, a snazzy bar scene and organic flatbreads laden with maple-fennel sausage and roasted veggies. Check-in each weekly for new carne and veggie specials. Kid-friendly. Pizza. L, D, N, $$

KUAU STORE 701 Hana Hwy., Pāʻia, 579-8844 Stop along the road to Hāna for a plate lunch, morning coffee, locally made snacks or sweet treat. 2025 ‘Aipono Silver winner for Best Grab-and-Go. American/Local. B, L, D, $$

ISLAND FRESH CAFÉ381 Baldwin Ave., Pā‘ia, 495-3133 Local, sustainable bites in a former train station. Serves sushi, traditional, Hawaiian-inspired meals, smoothies, acai bowls, wraps, sandwiches and beverages. Hawai‘i Regional. B, L, $$

JAWS COUNTRY STORE 4320 Hāna Hwy., Ha‘ikū, 4196887 Bite into gourmet breakfasts, poke bowls and woodfired pizzas made with local ingredients. Visit the spectacular Jaws wave and shop unique gifts and apparel from the market. American/Local. B, L, D, $$

LIMA COCINA + CANTINA71 Baldwin Ave., Pā‘ia, 868-0520 Airy restaurant serving artful Peruvian cuisine like saltados and ceviche. Inventive pisco-heavy cocktail list and late-night offerings every Friday and Saturday night. Fridays are always Lima Latin Night with Salsa, Reggaeton and Cumbia. Latin-inspired. L, D, N, $$-$$$

MAMA’S FISH HOUSE 799 Poho Pl., Kū‘au, 579-8488 Famous for its beautiful beachside setting and Polynesian-inspired cuisine, Mama’s evokes old-time island hospitality. Try specialty entrees like Antarctic toothfish caught at 6,000 feet under frozen glaciers. Hawaiian/ Seafood. L, D, R, $$-$$$$

MEDITERRANEAN GRILL 2810 Ha‘ikū Rd., 868-3518 A Mediterranean food truck to satisfy all your shawarma, gyro and falafel cravings. Try the vegetarian stuffed vine grape leaves with homemade Tahini or organic yogurt sauce. Food Truck/Mediterranean. L, D, $$

NUKA 780 Ha‘ikū Rd., Ha‘ikū, 575-2939 Izakaya food with flavor and style. Start with paper-thin fried gobo chips, then ‘ahi tataki with ponzu sauce. Creative lunch and dinner specials. Save room for black-sesame or green-tea ice cream! Japanese. L, D, $$-$$$

NYLOS 115 Baldwin Ave., Pā‘ia, 579-3354 This sixcourse prix-fixe tasting menu is created with the finest ingredients, like Osetra caviar, foie gras, wild truffles and line-caught local fish. International. D (5 & 8 p.m. seatings), R, $$$$

ONLY ONO BBQ Heritage Hall, Pā‘ia, onlyonobbq.com, 777-9026 Crispy-skin Chinese-style roast pork and duck, bao

pork buns, plate lunches, smoked brisket. Location varies (see website for schedule). Food Truck/Chinese/American. L, D, $

PAIA BAY COFFEE & BAR120 Hāna Hwy., Pā‘ia, 5793111 Open-air, garden seating with live music, craft cocktails, coffee and meals served all day. The Aloha Hour from 3 to 5 p.m. features poke, ceviche and hurricane fries. American/ Hawai‘i Regional. B, BR, L, H, D, $$

PAIA FISH MARKET RESTAURANT 100 Hāna Hwy. Pā‘ia, 579-8030 Huge slabs of fish served with coleslaw on burger buns explain the line out the door. Order your ‘ahi burger rare with a side of fries and squeeze in beside surfers and families. Kid-friendly. Seafood. L, D, $-$$

RAINBOW KITCHEN & REBEL TONICS 2250 Hāna Hwy., Ha‘ikū, 500-2885 Laid-back food truck with craveworthy vegan eats. Try their killer breakfast burrito, barbecue jackfruit bowl and signature Mermaid Dream Cream shake. Vegan. B, L, $$

THAI SPICE 149 Hāna Hwy., #5, Pā‘ia, 579-8269 Every dish is made like you’re ‘ohana. Enjoy signature curries, pad thai and hand-rolled spring rolls. Don’t miss fresh mango with sticky rice for dessert. Southeast Asian. L, D, $$

TOBI'S POKE & SHAVE ICE 137 Hāna Hwy., Pā‘ia, 579-9745 A north shore go-to for heaping poke bowls and seared ahi plates. Or, cool down with a colorful shave ice with up to three flavors. Add vanilla soft serve or pineapple Dole Whip and top with specialty toppings like gummy bears. Local. L, $-$$

WABISABI SOBA & SUSHI 161 Hāna Hwy., Pā‘ia, 3183342 Relax and enjoy buckwheat soba noodles in a serene Zen garden or order fresh sushi at the sushi counter crafted from 200-year-old Japanese cherry wood. Japanese. L, D, $$

WAIKOMO SHAVE ICE 43 Hāna Hwy., Pā‘ia, 6515169 Earth-friendly, delicious shave ice served in a souvenir coconut bowl all topped with fresh fruit, coconut cream and local honey. Add vanilla or vanilla mac nut ice cream for extra sweetness. Treats. $

HĀNA

THE BAMBOO HALEHāna Farms, 2910 Hāna Hwy., Hāna, 248-4047 Wood-fired pizzas with island-inspired pairings like ulu and pesto, complemented by farm-fresh harvest salads. Open-air dining surrounded by tropical gardens and live music every Friday. Pizza. L, D, $$-$$$

DA FISH SHACK 5260 Hāna Hwy., Hāna 269-3922 Your favorite island fish dish is on the menu at Da Fish Shack, from fresh fish tacos to poke and coconut shrimp. Not in the mood for fish? Go for a Paniolo burger with black angus beef. Seafood. D, $

HĀNA FARMS 2910 Hāna Hwy., Hāna, 248-7371 Lush, seven-acre tropical paradise offering organic produce, handmade goods and bakery delights like their legendary banana bread using harvested Maui fruit. Bakery/Farm Stand. $

HĀNA HARVEST CAFE 2800 Hāna Hwy., Hāna, 2699188 Farm-to-table cafe serving fresh smoothies, coffee and sandwiches. Try their purple sweet potato salad or delicious banana bread made from local produce. Cafe/Local. B, L, $-$$

HĀNA RANCH RESTAURANT 1752 Mill Pl., Hāna, 2705280 Chefs rely on nearby farms for seasonal produce and island-raised beef. Try fish sandwiches, kalbi ribs, ahi poke, veggie curry and the Hāna Ranch Mai Tai. Hawaiʻi Regional, L, H, D, $$-$$$

THE RESTAURANT Hāna-Maui Resort, 5031 Hāna Hwy., Hāna, 359-2401 This open-air dining room overlooks Hāna Bay and serves breakfast favorites like mochi pancakes and saimin. Lunch and dinner menus highlight regional fish, local produce, craft cocktails, house-made desserts and fresh island juices. Pacific Rim. B, L, D, R, $$-$$$$

APRIL 26, 2025 | More than 500 members of Maui’s food and beverage community gathered at The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua for the 2025 ‘Aipono Awards, celebrating the island’s best – as voted by the readers of Maui Nō Ka ʻOi Magazine.

The 2025 ʻAipono Awards honored 145 restaurants, bars, bakeries and stores that make Maui “no ka ʻoi.”

Star Noodle: Sean Farrington, Cesar Perez

Old Lāhainā Lūʻau: Randall Baybayan, Adrian Aina

Momona Bakery and Coffee Shop: Lucia Sabbione, Sofia Prassolo, Silvana Larcher

Maui Fresh Streatery: Kyla Manley, Kyle Kawakami, Tai Kawakami

Shep Gordon shared stories about helping launch Hawaiʻi Regional Cuisine and celebrity chefs.

Fairmont Kea Lani: Thomas Houston, Amber Ching, Jonathan Pasion, Mark Bernisto, Cameron Hall, Rena Parker, Peni Siua, (front) Yvonne McDowell

Ululaniʻs Hawaiian Shave Ice: (back) Gloria Havlan, James Remogat, Brad Edgerton, Paul Skarbo, (middle) Harley-Ann Smith, Ululani Yamashiro, David Yamashiro, Ezra Kikukawa, Haylee Miyagawa, (front) Brandon Haros, Emi Evans, Juliet Brzozowski

Host Resort The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua General Manager Jon Gersonde welcomed the attendees.

Miso Phat: Elias Steadman, Joy Steadman Aloha Mixed Plate: Kaluna Kaauwai, Sheila Joy Manuel

O’o Farm: Jo Wing, Daniel Dawes

Hyatt Regency: Sierra Quitevis

Amigo’s: Jesús Gumaro Rodríguez, Elena Rodríguez, Lily Ortega, Jesús Gustavo Ortega

Point Break Pizza & Panini: Lauren Lessner, Mark Lehman, Kevin Kammien, Caleb Myers, Dylan Myers

Photographs by René Jacinto

Sun’s Out Buns Out: Endi Reyes, T.J. Borawski

Grand Wailea: Miriam Taouk, Kalei ʻUwēkoʻolani, Megan Guldenpfennig

Kalei’s Lunchbox: Branden Kalei Heath, Aaron Kalei Heath, Fran Kamahoʻi Heath

Fork and Salad: Aubrey Christopher, Cody Christopher, Lauren Mann, Ben Koscielniak

SixtyTwo MarcKet: Jonathan Isaguirre, Barbara Simmons, J.P. Isaguirre, Yvonne and Marc McDowell

John Pele, executive director of Maui Hotel & Lodging Association (right) and Deputy Director Naomi Cooper (off-screen) presented scholarships to University of Hawaiʻi Maui College students in Hospitality & Tourism and Culinary Arts programs: Hoai Thuong Ha, Justin Lamprano, Naneaikauka’aha’a Poaha-Kaai, Caitlyn Corpuz, Stephanie Leano and You Joo Bonnes.

Merriman’s Kapalua: Salomon Olea, Maria Olea

Pizza Madness Maui: Kyle Wheatley, Corey Wheatley, Emma Wheatley

Aloha Mixed Plate: Sheila Joy Manuel Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop: Kylee Okazaki

Tikehau Lounge: Mari Howe, Jessica Sullivan

Monkeypod Kitchen: (back) Devon Brougher, Allyce Logston, Tim Grant (Ulu Kitchen), Adam Hulbert, Luke Cartegena, Tori Hudson, Tiana Elaban, Danny Uriostegui, Jason Vendrell (Handcrafted Restaurants), (middle) John Rey Serrano, Adrianna Ranjel, Kayuko Uyeno, Katie Apling, (front) Sophia Sobel

Andaz Maui: Kurt Lesmerises, Kennedy Ocampo Cruz, Chance Savell, Wylan Faulk, Vivi Tuionetoa, Zach Lockman, Richard Elliott