ʻAipono Awards

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

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.

Secret Ingredients

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

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 Ryan Luckey

Winning Streak

Four Maui restaurants have the winning stuff.
Joey Macadangdang

Friend of Agriculture Joey Macadangdang, Joey’s Kitchen

"As a restaurateur, Joey embodies the true spirit of island hospitality."
Peter Merriman Lifetime Achievement Award 2020

2020 Lifetime Achievement Award

Meet Peter Merriman, the 2020 ‘Aipono Lifetime Achievement Award winner.
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.
aipono winners 2011

Bringing the Best Forward

Our dining editor gets the scoop on three Aipono Award winning restaurants.
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.
Three's Bar and Grill

Special ʻAipono Awards for 2017 (VIDEOS)

Each year, ‘Aipono honors a few individuals and companies chosen by industry professionals.
fairmont kea lani

Excellence in Sustainability: Fairmont Kea Lani

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

ʻAipono Winners

Congratulations to all the winners of the 2018 Maui Restaurant 'Aipono Awards.
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 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.
Aloha Mixed Plate dessert

ʻAipono Awards Run-down

Gossip Gourmet dishes about the 2006 'Aipono Awards, and doles out prizes of her own.
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.
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.
Westin Maui Resort

Special ‘Aipono Awards

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

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.

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 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.
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.
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.