ʻAipono Awards

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

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.

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.
aipono awards 2015

2015 ʻAipono Special Awards

Each year, the Aipono Restaurant Awards honors a few individuals and companies chosen by industry professionals.
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.
Aloha Mixed Plate dessert

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.
Bev Gannon Maui

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

Maui’s Top Restaurants Dish up Plenty of Winning Aloha!
aipono winners 2011

Bringing the Best Forward

Our dining editor gets the scoop on three Aipono Award winning restaurants.
fairmont kea lani

Excellence in Sustainability: Fairmont Kea Lani

Congratulations to Fairmont Kea Lani, winner of Pacific Biodiesel’s Excellence in Sustainability Award.
Joey Macadangdang

Friend of Agriculture Joey Macadangdang, Joey’s Kitchen

"As a restaurateur, Joey embodies the true spirit of island hospitality."
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Three's Bar and Grill

Special ʻAipono Awards for 2017 (VIDEOS)

Each year, ‘Aipono honors a few individuals and companies chosen by industry professionals.
Chef Perry Bateman

2009 Chef of the Year: Perry Bateman

Unlike many of his colleagues, Chef Perry Bateman didn’t sharpen his knives in culinary school; he was raised in restaurants.
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.

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...

2017 Maui Restaurant Awards

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

2020 Lifetime Achievement Award

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

Special ‘Aipono Awards

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

ʻAipono Winners

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