Maui Food And Dining

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The 14th annual Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival (HFWF) announced on Tuesday a sweepstakes for one lucky winner, with a grand prize valued at over $10,000. The deadline to enter for a chance to win is July 23.

Jamba Hawaiʻi has partnered with Tahiti Kemper and the Kemper ‘Ohana for their latest campaign, “#FillYourCup.”

Montage Kapalua Bay has announced two key culinary appointments: Behdad Ghofrani as director of food & beverage, and Justin Purpura as executive chef.

HTA is providing $48,000 in scholarships to support the professional development of 32 Hawai‘i chefs through this specialized career pathway program.

Fellow Maui chefs are banding together for “Maui Chefs Cook for a Cause,” a fundraiser on Sunday, July 21, from 5 to 8 p.m. at FOND, Chef Jojo Vasquez’s neighborhood eatery in the Nāpili Shopping Center. All proceeds from the event will go towards the substantial medical expenses facing Chef Riko Bartolome and his ‘ohana.

Hula Grill Kāʻanapali has named Amy Hānaialiʻi Gilliom as the recipient of its annual E Ola Mau Ka Mele award for her efforts to preserve and perpetuate Hawaiian culture through song.