ʻAipono Awards

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

2017 Maui Restaurant Awards

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

2015 Chef of the Year: Jeff Scheer

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

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.

Broke da Mouth! Best of Maui Dining 2017

Here are a few of our readers’ favorite ‘Aipono-winning restaurants on Maui.
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 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.
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.
Three's Bar and Grill

Special ʻAipono Awards for 2017 (VIDEOS)

Each year, ‘Aipono honors a few individuals and companies chosen by industry professionals.
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.
Westin Maui Resort

Special ‘Aipono Awards

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

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.
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.
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.
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.
Miso Phat Sushi Maui

Dee-lish: 5 Winning Restaurants

Our food editor Becky Speere dishes on the Maui dishes she loves.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 “excellence.” Put them together and you have an awards competition...
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.
aipono awards 2015

2015 ʻAipono Special Awards

Each year, the Aipono Restaurant Awards honors a few individuals and companies chosen by industry professionals.
Joey Macadangdang

Friend of Agriculture Joey Macadangdang, Joey’s Kitchen

"As a restaurateur, Joey embodies the true spirit of island hospitality."
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.