From Kō, its signature and recently refreshed restaurant, to Pilina, its new lounge, Fairmont Kea Lani is creating a dining scene within its beautiful grounds. Known for its spacious suites and luxe villas perched along Wailea’s golden sands, the resort continues to raise the restaurant bar by thoughtfully showcasing local ingredients in imaginative dishes and […]
When my older brother came back to Maui on his college breaks, he would often pick me up from school and we’d spend the rest of the afternoon at the beach. Many days ended with us grabbing plates of poke at one of his favorite spots, a shave ice stand in Pāʻia—which remains one of
My first bite of the Kona kampachi crudo bursts with bright citrus, delicate herbaceous notes, and a punch of spice, balanced by the silky richness of avocado purée. Slow-dripped tomato water serves as an homage to Taylor Ponte’s childhood in Upcountry Maui, where he would sip the juice left behind in bowls of lomi lomi
*This story was originally published on Aug. 5, 2021. From her shaded treehouse bakery, Auntie Julia watches the cars roll by. Her establishment is quaint, a small green treehouse perched along Kahekili Highway, located in the hard-to-reach town of Kahakuloa, but her product—succulent loaves of homemade banana bread—is famous. When people ask where the
In the heart of Lahaina, diners could count on savoring bowls of pasta made with quality flour from Italy and seasonal ingredients grown on Maui. For years, Sale Pepe Pizzeria e Cucina was the neighborhood’s go-to spot for celebrating birthdays and anniversaries or just enjoying Italian cuisine. Since the beloved restaurant fell to the Maui
I’m told we’ll have a table in the kitchen where the chef will prepare us a special meal. What I don’t expect to find is an actual chef’s counter bolted to the end of the pass—the table on which cooks slide finished dishes to an “expediter,” who then sends them out into the dining room.
The story of chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s signature dish goes back decades. Over 30 years ago, he and five other chefs arrived at Haliʻimaile General Store in Upcountry to work a charity event. After it wrapped, when the chefs were ready to relax and have something to eat, Matsuhisa put together a late-night snack with leftover
On an island known for its high prices, finding delicious cheap eats can feel like striking gold. Yet, many of Hawaiʻi’s iconic dishes are the result of creative cooking with humble ingredients. From the simple Spam musubi to no-frills saimin and shave ice (it’s literally just ice!), these foods prove that you don’t need to
At 8 a.m. on Oct. 26, 2024, a crowd of over 100 people hovered around the TVs at Coco Deck Kitchen + Bar in West Maui. Chef and co-owner Alvin Savella put a blast out on social media announcing the restaurant would be opening early that day to show the Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway
Tucked in the Honokōwai Marketplace, about a 5-minute drive from Kāʻanapali Beach, Sergio’s Cantina is serving up satisfying family-style Mexican cuisine. And while it might be a little off the beaten path, it’s worth seeking out, whether you’re hungry after a day at the beach or just looking to mix up your restaurant rotation. And
In 2009 I worked a meat-centric event in Napa called Primal. The outdoor feast featured several fire pits showcasing traditional cooking techniques, such as Argentinian asado with whole lamb cooked on a vertical spit. A small group of Bay Area butchers and chefs, known for their nose-to-tail sensibilities and dedication to supporting local farms, spent
Tucked away in the quiet neighborhood of Haliʻimaile, you can find Maui Gold Pineapple growing some of the Islands’ sweetest pineapples. For more than 50 years, Maui Gold has been cultivating pineapples on the slopes of Haleakalā. Grown in the island’s nutrient-rich soil, each pineapple is hand-harvested at peak ripeness, making for extremely flavorful
