Where Hawaii Eats

“Rigo SPANISH ITALIAN” is located on Kapahulu Avenue, one of Oahu’s best “FOODIES STREET”. The dining provides a relaxing atmosphere with the high ceiling and interior. You can enjoy fixed price tapas and wines, Spanish josper grilled main dishes, wood-fried pizzas and homemade pastas incorporating local produce. With a motto “No vague” ”Define”. Once again set the definition of Spanish-Italian. &...

In 1935, Taisuke and Katsuko Sekiya had the idea to open a restaurant that served a variety of okazu (Japanese delicatessen foods) and dessert delicacies. It turned out to be the idea of the century — well, nearly a century — as the Kaimuki eatery celebrates 85 years.  Consistency is at the heart of everything Sekiya’s does, and that’s exemplified when browsing the menu. Its beloved BBQ Stick...

Aloooha! Danny Kaleikini, the Ambassador of Aloha (former Gov. John Waihee gave him the moniker in 1988), was born into a family of eight children. Raised in Papakolea, his humble roots taught him how to share the aloha. Everyone in their household contributed by doing their share. In fact, a 5-year-old Danny sold copies of The Honolulu Advertiser and also shined shoes by Hawaii Theatre to help hi...

When you first walk into Waikiki Brewing Co., you see a big aloha sign and a feeling of warmth and cheer.  Being calorie-conscious, craft beer is somewhat foreign to me, so executive chef Nicholas Stewart and general manager Andy Flartey invited me to try popular items paired with their craft beer made by brewmaster Joe Lorenzen. With a wide array of menu items, including vegan/vegetarian foo...

Glenn Medeiros was born and raised on the island of Kauai, Hawaii. As a teenager, he began a professional career as a singer/songwriter. For the next eight years, Glenn travelled to almost forty countries, selling over seven million records, recording eight albums, almost twenty music videos and writing over 200 songs.  In 1994 Glenn moved to Oahu to reach for his childhood dream of being an...

Garrett Mukogawa began his culinary career at Citrus in Hollywood under the tutelage of Chef Michel Richard while he attended the CSCA Culinary School in Pasadena California.  He then ventured out to Maui to complete his culinary schooling by attending an internship at Roy’s Kahana Bar & Grill.  Upon finishing his internship he was asked to remain on staff, thus beginning his Roy’s c...

Born and raised in South Lake Tahoe, California, Jeff Stewart is, not surprisingly, an avid skier. But it was a summer trip to France and an enthusiastic chemistry teacher that enticed him away from the mountains and into winemaking.“My summer in France was really my first experience with wine as part of the family meal. I was fascinated with the lifestyle and the importance of wine in that cultur...

I basically worked in the family restaurant business and was a waiter and bartender through my college years. I opened Teddy's Bigger Burgers with Ted Tsakiris in 1998. We opened over 26 restaurants in 5 countries over the next 21 years. We opened the first TEX808 BBQ+BREWS in the Hawaii Kai Towne Center in 2019. Our 2nd store is a quick-serve version at Moanalua Shopping Center. We are moving the...

When Halepuna Waikiki was in the infancy of its planning process, it was decided to add a touch of its sister property, Halekulani, to the destination. The result: Halekulani Bakery & Restaurant, the hotel’s first branded entity outside of Halekulani.  “We envisioned creating an outlet that would center around our one-of-a-kind pastries and exquisite baked goods,” states Bonnie Bise, publ...

REY BAYSA is executive chef at the newly transformed Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort. Baysa oversees the operations of Kani Ka Pila Grille, the casual resort restaurant that services the property with breakfast, lunch, dinner and room service. Additionally, Baysa oversees the resort’s catering and its exclusive Voyager 47 Club Lounge.   Baysa was most recently executive chef at Hilto...

After more than six decades of feeding multiple generations of families, St. Louis Drive In continues to serve as the go-to spot for local-style comfort food in the heart of Kaimuki.  Owner Wayne Akimoto leads the family restaurant today after his relatives opened the eatery in 1960. Situated on Waialae Avenue, across the street from Saint Louis School and Chaminade University, St. Louis Driv...

Paia Fish Market is the best reviewed seafood restaurant in Hawaii. Local fresh fish with Ahola. Located in Paia, Lahaina, Kihei and Waikiki Beach in Oahu.   -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------  FOLLOW US ON  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wherehawaiieats/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wherehawaiieats/  #fishmarket #sea...

Young’s Fish Market has decades of expertise in serving some of the Hawaii’s most delectable local foods.  The famed eatery has two locations — one in Honolulu’s City Square, and a second, new shop in Kapolei Commons. Together, both sites offer customers a range of edibles to satiate anyone’s Hawaiian food cravings. “Originally opened in 1951 by my grandparents Wilfred and Charlotte Young on...

I was born and raised in Honolulu Hawaii. I am a first generation Korean-American. After graduating high school I headed to the mainland. I started off in New York City for about 3 years, before moving to San Francisco, and lived there for a few years. I finally settled in Seattle for more than 10 years. Although I was involved in the food and beverage industry in all those cities, my culinary end...

I learned early in my career that the best dishes always began by using the best ingredients, sourced sustainably and locally. Taking inspiration from classic French and European preparations, which often emphasize the quality and flavor of seasonal produce and seafood, I have crafted a menu that is uniquely Michel’s at the Colony Surf.  My seasonal six-course pre fixe dinner takes full advan...

Bill Tobin is the Managing Partner and CEO of Tiki's Grill & Bar LLC. After growing up in a small farming community in Nebraska and serving in the US Army, Bill settled in Hawaii. He worked for the Honolulu Hard Rock Cafe while he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Hawaii.  Bill held management positions with Peter Kiewit & Sons, Hard Rock Cafe...

"Life is not a destination but a Journey" is a motto that Alan Hirano, General Manager at Pesca Waikiki Beach, lives by. Learn everything that you can to move up and at the same time, teach and pass on everything that you learned to build and raise successors.  Pesca Waikiki Beach, a luxurious Mediterranean seafood restaurant and wedding venue with panoramic views located at the top of the ic...

I am a local boy through and through born and raised on Oahu, a graduate of Kapiolani Community College Culinary Program.  I have 15+ years of cooking experience I feel my career as a cooking professional really took off when I was sous chef at Town restaurant located in Kaimuki.  At Town I’ve learned a lot of the fundamental skills and problem-solving abilities that could only be forged...

Five-time Sommelier of the Year, Veteran Restaurateur and “Sommelier for the People” Michael Jordan is Director of Global Key Accounts for Jackson Family Wines. Jordan travels the globe to work with key decision makers and hospitality industry leaders. Jordan also hosts a weekly radio show, The Word on Wine - in many AM radio markets across the country and podcast on CRN Digital Talk Radio. Passio...

Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto has created a bridge between the culinary traditions of his native Japan and the American palate, bringing intense excitement, exquisite technique, and perfectly balanced flavors to countless diners throughout the world. He has garnered critical and popular acclaim for his seamless integration of Western and Japanese ingredients and has effectively created a signature s...

Chef Chai Chaowasaree (“Chef Chai”), owner and chef of Chef Chai at Pacifica Honolulu is recognized as one of Hawaii’s top Hawaii Regional Cuisine chefs.  Known for fusing fresh Hawaii ingredients with the exotic flavors of Asia, Chef Chai has created a culinary style that reflects the cultural diversity of Oahu and the Hawaiian Islands.   To further strengthen the partnership with Hawai...

Mountain View Farms owner David Wong breathed new life into his farm which had been in his family for over 50 years. He focused on natural farming, soil environment and restoring the land with the help of microbes after attending an inspiring workshop led by a Korean farming master. His bout with cancer led him to research the power of clean food and eventually, supplying pork and vegetables to bi...

Where Hawaii Eats features the very FIRST Master Sommelier in Hawaii, Chuck Furuya, in this special episode at Vino. As a tribute to this now closed restaurant, we feature a variety of foods that Chef/Owner DK Kodama of DK Restaurants offers with a paring of wines selected by Chuck himself. In late 1980’s Chuck Furuya became one of the first in the United States to pass the rigorous Master Sommeli...

Host Anne Lee heads over to Dada Salon at Ala Moana Hotel not to get her hair done, but to enjoy a meal at their cafe with Owner Richie Miao. He founded Dada in 2015 to start a new movement in the hair and beauty industry which he later expanded into a new joint venture: Dada Spa, Salon & Cafe where the team can express their aesthetic and culinary visions in ever-changing ways. Their menu fea...

S2 EP9 Zippy's Nimitz - Jason HigaWhere Hawaii Eats host Anne Lee finds out exactly why Zippy’s is Hawaii’s diner of choice with CEO of FCH Enterprises, Jason Higa. The iconic Zippy’s Restaurants has been the go-to place in Hawaii for hearty, local comfort food. Grab a couple of Zip Pac bentos and head for the beach! Pick up a barrel of their famous chili and fried chicken for the ohana! Zippy’s i...