Maui Food And Dining

The Culinary Institute of the Pacific (CIP) at Kapi‘olani Community College unveiled details of their groundbreaking collaboration with the renowned Culinary Institute of America (CIA), the world’s premier culinary college, in a formal press conference co-hosted by the Hawai‘i Ag & Culinary Alliance that welcomed CIA leadership to the Diamond Head campus.

Tajima Ramen, a Japanese cuisine restaurant in San Diego and Tijuana, announced the grand opening of its first location in Hawaiʻi on the island of Maui. The new restaurant, located in the Kukui Mall opened its doors to the public on June 10. Restaurant owner, Sam Morikizono and his talented staff, have built a reputation for delivering high-quality handmade dishes, with a commitment to the purity of taste and style.

Cool Cat Cafe, a beloved local restaurant that was destroyed in the Lahaina fires, announced its grand reopening at a new location in South Maui. The grand reopening will take place on June 15, 2024, at Kukui Mall, located at 1819 S. Kīhei Road. The restaurant will be open seven days a week from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

L&L Hawaiian Barbecue, a leader in the growing popularity of Hawaiian-style cuisine, has announced its latest restaurant opening in Annandale, Virginia.

A new restaurant – Duke’s Kona – will debut at the Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa on the Big Island in late 2025. T S Restaurants announced plans for the restaurant on Monday; it will mark the Maui-based company’s first venture on the Big Island and its ninth location in Hawai‘i.

Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, situated on 23 oceanfront acres at iconic Pu‘u Keka‘a (Black Rock), appointed Chef Charles Andres executive chef for the property. Chef Andres, who was raised in Lahaina on Maui, oversees the overall culinary direction of the resort’s multiple dining establishments, including The Sandbar, Cliff Dive Grill, Mai Tai Bar, Teppan-yaki Dan, Coral Reef, Black Rock Shave Ice, and in-room dining, as well as the property’s catering functions and special events.

The Montage Kapalua Bay is unveiling a special Father’s Day menu at its restaurant, The Hideaway, from June 14 to June 16 from 5 to 10 p.m.

Noodles & Rice by Nutcharee is now open at Azeka Shopping Center. Building on the success of their sister restaurant, Nutcharee’s Authentic Thai Food, the new restaurant offers diners a unique take on two staples of Asian cuisine: noodles & rice.

The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua is getting ready to serve up a menu of “magical moments” with culinary, wine and music events during next month’s 43rd annual Kapalua Wine & Food Festival.

The Maui portion of the 14th annual Hawaiʻi Food and Wine Festival is scheduled for Oct. 25-27 in Kaʻanapali, according to an announcement.

University of Hawai‘i Community Colleges with culinary arts programs were among 14 beneficiaries of $195,300 donated by the Hawai‘i Ag & Culinary Alliance, founder of the annual Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival.

To help increase local menu offerings in school lunches, three dozen public schools on Maui, Moloka‘i, Hawai‘i Island and Kaua‘i will be offering fresh local poi as an accompanying lunch menu item to students and staff this month in honor of May Day. 

Maui AgFest & 4-H Livestock Fair is getting ready to kick off its 15thyear—and presenter Maui County Farm Bureau (MCFB) is celebrating by bringing back “Taste Education.” This special series features Grown on Maui guests and was part of AgFest’s beginnings back in 2010, and will once again delight ticket holders at this year’s AgFest on Saturday, June 1, at War Memorial Special Events and Baseball Fields.

Maui Mall Village today announced that Tanaka Ramen & Izakaya will open at the center in early fall 2024. The restaurant, which operates four locations on Oʻahu, offers fresh, gourmet and affordable Japanese ramen and bar-style dishes. It serves traditional flavors in a chic modern environment with an array of options, from build-your-own ramen to a selection of signature dishes. Tanaka Ramen & Izakaya will open near Center Court with seating for about 40 guests. 

Families can treat mom this Mother’s Day with a brunch experience at the Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Kāʻanapali on Sunday, May 12 with two seatings available, either at 10 a.m. to noon and from noon to 2 p.m. The resort’s outdoor Aloha Pavilion will be transformed into an extensive buffet that will present a culinary journey. In addition to the grand buffet filled with brunch delights, the resort will also showcase live entertainment.

Nalu’s South Shore Grill owner, Ron Panzo was honored as the winner of the US Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 2024 Hawaiʻi State Small Business Person of the Year award. This award acknowledges outstanding achievements and contributions of small businesses across Hawaiʻi and the nation.

Sergio’s Cantina was supposed to open in fall 2023, but the Lahaina wildfires delayed plans. Several months later, on Jan. 3, 2024, the restaurant opened at the Honokōwai Marketplace with a refreshed ambiance.

The proprietors of 808 Deli have embarked on a sweet new chapter with the launch of 808 Sugar HI, offering an array of handcrafted treats like custom cookie and gelato sandwiches, sundaes, handmade milkshakes and more.

Fresh Help Maui and Maui Eat Local Magazine gathered 100+ food and drink recipes from West Maui’s most loved chefs and restaurants to pay homage through a new project, “The Lahaina Cookbook.”

Student teaching assistant Ryan Chang will earn two associate of applied arts degrees in May (one specializing in culinary arts and the other specializing in baking and pastry). He played a key role in the college’s emergency production of thousands of meals in the aftermath of the August wildfires.