ʻAipono Awards

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

Taylor Ponte Maui Chef of the Year 2020

2020 Chef of the Year: Taylor Ponte

Every year Maui’s chefs vote to elect one of their own the ‘Aipono Chef of the Year, seeking the peer that most inspires them.
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.

2017 Maui Restaurant Awards

2017 Maui Restaurant Awards Gala will be Sunday, April 23, 2017 at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa.
Peter Merriman Lifetime Achievement Award 2020

2020 Lifetime Achievement Award

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

Secret Ingredients

Four ‘Aipono Award winners share their recipes for success.
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.

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.
Bev Gannon Maui

Maui’s Top Restaurants Dish up Plenty of Winning Aloha!

Maui’s Top Restaurants Dish up Plenty of Winning Aloha!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Spago beet salad

Winning Ways

Island flavors, a corker of a wine list, and a Haiku eatery that's pure poetry ... ʻAipono 2014 winners arrive at excellence by many an innovative path.

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.
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.
Westin Maui Resort

Special ‘Aipono Awards

Each year, ʻAipono honors a few individuals and companies chosen by industry professionals. Here are the 2016 winners.
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.
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.
Maui Executive Catering

2015 Chef of the Year: Jeff Scheer

Chef Jeff Scheer builds strong relationships with local farmers, ranchers, and fishermen.
Greg Gifford

2020 Friend of Agriculture Award

Meet the 2020 ‘Aipono Friend of Agriculture Award winner: Greg Gifford.
aipono awards 2015

2015 ʻAipono Special Awards

Each year, the Aipono Restaurant Awards honors a few individuals and companies chosen by industry professionals.
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.
Miso Phat Sushi Maui

Dee-lish: 5 Winning Restaurants

Our food editor Becky Speere dishes on the Maui dishes she loves.

Broke da Mouth! Best of Maui Dining 2017

Here are a few of our readers’ favorite ‘Aipono-winning restaurants on Maui.
Maui Chef Roger Stettler

2012 Chef of the Year: Roger Stettler

Roger Stettler may be the most famous Maui chef the average visitor hasn’t heard of.
delicious maui sandwich

Award-Winning Food: What Makes a Winner?

These four ‘Aipono awardees prove that there’s more than one path to success.