Food & Dining
Hawai‘i Cuisine: Food, Flavors, and Local Favorites
Exploring all your favorite Island dining, from cheap eats to high-end. Craving omakase? We’ve got you covered. Shave ice? Sure thing! Loco moco? Like we’d forget! We’ve got heaping bowls of poke, and acai. You’ll find pau hana deals, foodie cocktails and delicious mocktails. Of course, none of that would be possible without the chefs, bakers, and mixologists you’ll meet here. We also take you to the Hawai‘i farms that fuel our farm-to-table movement.
News
Hala Tree Café is opening in Waikīkī
The business closed its original Kaʻaʻawa store and is soft opening today in Waikīkī. It’s known for serving 100% Kona coffee, and this new location also features an in-house bakery. Hala Tree Café’s grand opening will be on July 1.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaJune 19, 2026
Taormina Sicilian Cuisine launches its summer happy hour
The eatery, known for its authentic Sicilian cuisine, is launching its limited-time summer happy hour on June 19. Happy hour is from 4 to 5:30 p.m. daily, and features discounted drinks and pūpū — including 50% off the restaurant’s popular truffle carbonara.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaJune 18, 2026
Aloha State Daily joins 94.7 KUMU on new segment, 'Local Flavor Fridays'
Start your Friday off by listening to 94.7 KUMU’s newest segment, "Local Flavor Fridays," featuring ASD’s Food & Dining reporter Kelli Shiroma Braiotta.
Kady PascualJune 18, 2026
Kamaʻāina can enjoy a 20% dining discount at The Kāhala Hotel & Resort
To kick off the summer, The Kāhala Hotel & Resort is offering a 20% kamaʻāina discount at Plumeria Beach House and Seaside Grill. The discount can be applied to Plumeria Beach House’s a la carte and buffet menus.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaJune 18, 2026
Linaka’s Catering offers twisted potatoes
The biz is known for its Puerto Rican and Hawaiian food, but the vendor started selling twisted potatoes — or spiral-shaped potatoes — earlier this year. So far, the business’s Ovah Load potato — topped with a secret sauce, sour cream, cheese and bacon bits — has been the most popular one.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaJune 18, 2026
Mercado de la Raza opens second location in Waipahu
This Latin American market is celebrating the grand opening of its second store this Saturday, June 20, in Waipio’s Koa Ridge. The block party will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This second location is bigger than the business’s original store on South Beretania Street.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaJune 17, 2026
Chef Chai is featuring a prime rib special
The Kakaʻako eatery’s prime rib special ran from June 10 to 14, and it was so popular that it’s extended. Customers can take advantage of the four-course meal — which features prime rib as the entrée — from June 17 to 19. A prime rib carving station will also be added to the restaurant’s all-you-can-eat Father’s Day weekend buffet (June 20 and 21).
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaJune 17, 2026
Kouign Amann Day is coming June 20
Kona Coffee Purveyors and b. Patisserie are offering boba-inspired Kouign Amann flavors on this day only from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. The specialty flavors include ube cream, black sesame coffee, brown sugar milk tea, peach oolong and more. Preorders are available.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaJune 16, 2026
A staple in the Lahaina community: Māla Ocean Tavern
The restaurant, located on Front Street, officially reopened in February 2024 after closing due to the August 2023 Lahaina fire. Māla Ocean Tavern was the first restaurant to reopen on Front Street following the fires, and continues to serve as a popular spot for brunch and dinner in West Maui.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaJune 16, 2026
James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards happening today
Neale Asato, owner of Asato Family Shop, is the only finalist from Hawai‘i.
Stephanie SalmonsJune 15, 2026
Poke business K. Bay Bros. now has a food truck
K Bay Bros On the Go started about two weeks ago. The business is popping up around Oʻahu; its schedule for the week will be posted on Instagram.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaJune 15, 2026
Where to celebrate Father’s Day 2026 – part 2
Whether you’re looking to dine-in or celebrate Father’s Day at home, we’ve got you covered. This guide also contains some local fare on Maui.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaJune 13, 2026