Hawaiʻi’s restaurant industry is getting ready for an evening that puts the people behind the plates in the spotlight, with four longtime contributors set to join the state’s culinary Hall of Fame. The September gala will celebrate restaurateurs, suppliers and hospitality veterans while also raising money for the next generation of food-service workers.
The Hawaiʻi Restaurant Association’s 18th annual Hall of Fame & Restaurant Industry Awards will honor Maui restaurateur Caleb Hopkins, Columbia Inn figure Gene Kaneshiro, D. Otani Produce leader Dwight Otani and Sky Waikiki restaurateur Hide Sakurai, according to Hawaii News Now. Hopkins’ inclusion brings a particularly timely note to the event as Maui’s restaurant community continues rebuilding after the Lahaina wildfires.
The association’s official event listing places Hopkins and Sakurai in the Active Restaurateur category, Kaneshiro in the Pioneer category and Otani among the Friend, Supporter and Allied Partner honorees. The class reflects how much of Hawaiʻi dining depends on more than chefs alone, from restaurant operators and iconic eateries to the suppliers who keep kitchens moving.
A Celebration With A Future-Focused Mission
Hopkins’ recognition also connects the ceremony to Lahaina’s longer recovery. His restaurant group includes Māla Ocean Tavern, Coco Deck Lahaina Kitchen + Bar, Pizza Paradiso and Pineapple Robot, and Māla Ocean Tavern describes his work as centered on hospitality, mentorship and investment in the Maui community.
The awards are not just a velvet-rope victory lap. A portion of the proceeds will benefit students through the Hawaiʻi Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, which provides educational resources and career opportunities for aspiring food-service workers, according to the HRA Education Foundation.
The foundation’s work includes support for culinary programs in 13 local high schools, making the fundraising component especially relevant as Hawaiʻi’s restaurants work to build a stronger pipeline of future employees. In its preview, Hawaii News Now reported that HRA representative Sheryl Matsuoka emphasized the honorees’ contributions to the state’s food industry and the foundation’s student support.
What To Know About The September Gala
The event is scheduled for Monday, September 28, at the Sheraton Waikiki. Registration and cocktails begin at 5 p.m., followed by a 6 p.m. dine-around featuring the “Chefs of Aloha” and the Hall of Fame program at 6:45 p.m.
Tickets and registration are available through the Hawaiʻi Restaurant Association’s event page. For an industry that spends most of its time feeding everyone else, a night devoted to honoring its own heavy hitters seems well overdue.
