Alan Wong’s is opening at The Kāhala Hotel & Resort in early 2026.
Hoku’s at The Kāhala, the resort’s signature fine dining restaurant, will conclude service in the first quarter of next year to prepare for the new restaurant. Since its opening about 30 years ago, Hoku’s has been a staple in Hawaiʻi’s fine dining landscape. The eatery has been known for its attentive service and refined approach to regional flavors.
A founding figure of Hawaiʻi Regional Cuisine, James Beard Award-winning chef Alan Wong will be a consultant to guide the restaurant’s menu development and opening. The restaurant’s revamped concept will highlight a curated selection of signature dishes from Wong’s popular King Street restaurant.
Alan Wong’s first opened its King Street location in 1995. The restaurant was known for its innovative use of local ingredients and refined island hospitality, and it helped shaped Hawaiʻi Regional Cuisine. The restaurant was ranked twice by Gourmet among America’s Top 50, and Wong has been named “Master of Hawaiʻi Regional Cuisine” by Bon Appetit. The King Street restaurant closed in November 2020, after 25 years of operation.
“What I look forward to most is welcoming back guests who have made cherished memories at our King Street restaurant and inspiring new moments of connection and celebration in this new era at The Kahala,” states chef Alan Wong. “It’s an honor — and in many ways, a full circle moment — to call The Kāhala our new home.”
Chef Joe Almoguera, the resort’s current executive sous chef, will be promoted to executive chef of the resort. Mark Shishido, general manager of the Pineapple Room by Alan Wong and beverage director at Alan Wong’s King Street location, will be the general manager of the new restaurant.
“For more than six decades, The Kāhala has been defined by timeless luxury, gracious service, unforgettable experiences and a legacy of aloha,” states Joe Ibarra, general manager of The Kāhala Hotel & Resort. “This transition is not an ending — it’s an evolution. After nearly 30 years of exception culinary experiences at Hoku’s, welcoming Alan Wong’s represents both a return to our roots and a bold step forward in celebrating Hawaiʻi’s extraordinary culinary heritage.”
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Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
