Moku Roots: Excellence in Sustainability Restaurant Award winner
Meet the 2020 ‘Aipono Excellence in Sustainability Restaurant Award winner: Moku Roots.
Aipono Winners 2022
Maui Nō Ka ‘Oi Magazine presents the 2022 ‘Aipono Restaurant Award Winners
What’s in a name? In Hawaiian, ai means “to eat,” and pono means “excellence.” Put them together and you have an awards competition...
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.
Special ʻAipono Awards for 2017 (VIDEOS)
Each year, ‘Aipono honors a few individuals and companies chosen by industry professionals.
2017 Chef of the Year Jojo Vasquez
As executive chef at The Plantation House, Jojo Vasquez creates light and delectable island-style fare.
2020 Friend of Agriculture Award
Meet the 2020 ‘Aipono Friend of Agriculture Award winner: Greg Gifford.
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.
Excellence in Sustainability: Fairmont Kea Lani
Congratulations to Fairmont Kea Lani, winner of Pacific Biodiesel’s Excellence in Sustainability Award.
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.
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.
Dee-lish: 5 Winning Restaurants
Our food editor Becky Speere dishes on the Maui dishes she loves.
ʻAipono Awards Run-down
Gossip Gourmet dishes about the 2006 'Aipono Awards, and doles out prizes of her own.
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.
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.
Award-Winning Food: What Makes a Winner?
These four ‘Aipono awardees prove that there’s more than one path to success.
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.
2018 Maui Chef of the Year
Alvin sets a high standard, developing rich, flavor-infused dishes that have became his trademark.
2012 Chef of the Year: Roger Stettler
Roger Stettler may be the most famous Maui chef the average visitor hasn’t heard of.
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.
2015 Chef of the Year: Jeff Scheer
Chef Jeff Scheer builds strong relationships with local farmers, ranchers, and fishermen.
2015 ʻAipono Special Awards
Each year, the Aipono Restaurant Awards honors a few individuals and companies chosen by industry professionals.
Friend of Agriculture Joey Macadangdang, Joey’s Kitchen
"As a restaurateur, Joey embodies the true spirit of island hospitality."
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.
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.
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.
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.
