ʻAipono Awards

ʻAipono Awards are the Maui Restaurant Awards. Read ʻAipono stories published in Maui Nō Ka ʻOi Magazine on this page.

Maui chef Sheldon Simeon

2013 Chef of the Year: Sheldon Simeon

For the first time in ‘Aipono’s eleven-year history, Maui’s chefs elected one of their own to a second reign as Chef of the Year.
Three's Bar and Grill

Special ʻAipono Awards for 2017 (VIDEOS)

Each year, ‘Aipono honors a few individuals and companies chosen by industry professionals.
Ivan Pahk

2007 Chef of the Year Ivan Pahk

Maui chef of the year Ivan Pahk’s success is due, in no small part, to his generous participation in Maui’s food scene.
Jennifer Nguyen

Friend of Agriculture 2018

Vietnamese culture emphasizes vegetables; Jennifer’s menu prepares them in delicious and enticing ways, helping people to see vegetables as proper dishes, not as an afterthought.
Aipono awards dinner

2016 ʻAipono Maui Restaurant Award Winners

The ʻAipono Restaurant Awards on Maui took on Sunday April 10, when Chef Mike Lofaro was named Maui Chef of the Year for 2016 and Monkeypod Kitchen was named Restaurant of the Year.

2014 Chef of the Year: Isaac Bancaco

Isaac Bancaco is the new generation Hawaiian chef, working to promote Maui as a cultural destination driven by food.
Maui Chef Mike Lofaro

2016 Chef of the Year: Mike Lofaro

Discover why Humuhumunukunukuāpua‘a's chef Mike Lofaro was voted as Maui's 2016 Chef of the Year by his peers.
Westin Maui Resort

Special ‘Aipono Awards

Each year, ʻAipono honors a few individuals and companies chosen by industry professionals. Here are the 2016 winners.
Excellence in Sustainability Restaurant Moku Roots

Moku Roots: Excellence in Sustainability Restaurant Award winner

Meet the 2020 ‘Aipono Excellence in Sustainability Restaurant Award winner: Moku Roots.
aipono awards 2015

2015 ʻAipono Special Awards

Each year, the Aipono Restaurant Awards honors a few individuals and companies chosen by industry professionals.
delicious maui sandwich

Award-Winning Food: What Makes a Winner?

These four ‘Aipono awardees prove that there’s more than one path to success.
Maui Spago Chef Cameron Lewark

2010 Chef of the Year: Cameron Lewark

Cameron Lewark wanted to be a chef since the fifth grade, when he began cooking dinner for his overworked mom.
Excellence in Sustainability Kuia Estate Chocolate

Maui Ku‘ia Estate Chocolate: Excellence in Sustainability Award winner

Meet the 2020 ‘Aipono Excellence in Sustainability Award winner: Maui Ku‘ia Estate Chocolate.
Pardee Erdman

ʻAipono Icon 2018

In 1974, Erdman established, of all things, a winery. Read more about this patron of Maui's agriculture and culinary scene.
Peter Merriman Lifetime Achievement Award 2020

2020 Lifetime Achievement Award

Meet Peter Merriman, the 2020 ‘Aipono Lifetime Achievement Award winner.
Joey Macadangdang

Friend of Agriculture Joey Macadangdang, Joey’s Kitchen

"As a restaurateur, Joey embodies the true spirit of island hospitality."
Maui chef of the year 2018

2018 Maui Chef of the Year

Alvin sets a high standard, developing rich, flavor-infused dishes that have became his trademark.
fairmont kea lani

Excellence in Sustainability: Fairmont Kea Lani

Congratulations to Fairmont Kea Lani, winner of Pacific Biodiesel’s Excellence in Sustainability Award.
Chef Sheldon Simeon

2011 Maui Chef of the Year: Sheldon Simeon

Getting not one but two James Beard nominations is every chef’s dream, but Simeon hasn’t let it spoil his humility.

2017 Maui Restaurant Awards

2017 Maui Restaurant Awards Gala will be Sunday, April 23, 2017 at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa.
maui dining

Winner, Winner, ‘Aipono Dinner

Maui No Ka Oi Magazine hosted the tenth annual Aipono Awards Gala last month. Join Dining Diva as she dishes all the juicy details about the festivities.
Maui burger

The World on a Plate without Leaving Home

The 2013 Aipono Award winners offer dishes from around the world without having to leave Maui. Travel to Hollywood, the American heartland, South America, Italy and Japan.

ʻAipono Winners

Congratulations to all the winners of the 2018 Maui Restaurant 'Aipono Awards.
excellence in sustainability

Excellence in Sustainability 2018

Andaz lends bicycles to guests free of charge, and has placed EV stations on the property, with free charging for employees.

2019 Chef of the Year: Kyle Kawakami

Mahalo, Chef Kyle, for all the food adventures you’ve taken us on . . . and for your boundless generosity.
Greg Gifford

2020 Friend of Agriculture Award

Meet the 2020 ‘Aipono Friend of Agriculture Award winner: Greg Gifford.
Maui Chef of the Year Jojo Vasquez

2017 Chef of the Year Jojo Vasquez

As executive chef at The Plantation House, Jojo Vasquez creates light and delectable island-style fare.