2014 Hale Aina Award Winners: Hawaii’s Best Restaurants

Congratulations to 2014’s winners…

Each year, HONOLULU Magazine readers vote for their favorite restaurants in the Islands. The winning restaurants were announced at a gala reception held Nov. 10, 2013 at the Royal Hawaiian’s Monarch Ballroom. See our upcoming January 2014 issue for more on the Hale Aina Awards and winners.

HONOLULU Magazine marks the 30th anniversary of the Hale Aina Awards with a new honor in the name of one of our city’s most influential writers.

John Heckathorn began as HONOLULU’s dining editor in the late 1980s and was an integral part of Hawaii’s burgeoning dining scene. He chronicled the rise of Hawaii Regional Cuisine and served as a champion and critic, but, most importantly, a fan and friend of the chefs who were bringing Hawaii cuisine to the table across the globe.

The John Heckathorn Dining Excellence Award is HONOLULU’s Hall of Fame award, honoring those who have truly earned a place in the history of Hawaii dining. In deciding the first-ever recipients of this honor, we took a look back through the years and found two names who have won more than 100 Hale Aina Awards between them.
 

JOHN HECKATHORN DINING EXCELLENCE AWARD

Alan Wong and Roy Yamaguchi

Alan Wong’s Restaurant owner Alan Wong, HONOLULU Magazine publisher Alyson Helwagen, Roy’s owner Roy Yamaguchi and First Hawaiian Bank vice president Ed Char. See more photos.

PHOTO: ROSS D. HAMAMURA/SONY

Click here to see the current 2015 Hale ‘Aina Award winners

BEST OAHU RESTAURANT
GOLD — Alan Wong’s Restaurant, 1857 S. King St. #208, Honolulu  
SILVER — Roy’s Waikiki, 226 Lewers St., Honolulu
BRONZE — Le Bistro, 5730 Kalanianaole Hwy., Honolulu
FINALIST — Prima, 108 Hekili St., #107, Kailua
FINALIST — Vintage Cave, 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., #2250
TOP WRITE-IN VOTE — 12th Ave Grill, 1145 12th Ave., #C, Honolulu
 

BEST MAUI RESTAURANT
GOLD — Mama’s Fish House, 799 Poho Place, Paia 
SILVER — Merriman’s Kapalua, 1 Bay Club Place, Lahaina
BRONZE — Lahaina Grill, 127 Lahainaluna Road, Lahaina
FINALIST — Honu, 1683 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu
FINALIST — Star Noodle, 286 Kupuohi St., Lahaina
TOP WRITE-IN VOTE — Mala Ocean Tavern, 1307 Front St., Lahaina
 

BEST BIG ISLAND RESTAURANT
GOLD — Merriman’s Waimea,  65-1227 Opelo Road, Kamuela
SILVER — Roy’s Waikoloa, 250 Waikoloa Beach Drive, Waikoloa
BRONZE — Beach Tree at Four Seasons, 72-100 Kaupulehu Drive, Kailua-Kona
FINALIST — Hilo Bay Cafe, 315 Makaala St., #109, Hilo
FINALIST — Holuakoa Gardens & Cafe, 76-5901 Mamalahoa Highway, Holualoa
TOP WRITE-IN VOTE — Kaleo’s Bar & Grill, 15-2662 Pahoa Village Road, #8512, Pahoa
 

BEST KAUAI RESTAURANT
GOLD — Merriman’s Fish House Poipu, 2829 Ala Kalanikaumaka St., Koloa
SILVER — The Beach House Restaurant, 5022 Lawai Road, Koloa
BRONZE — Roy’s Poipu, 2360 Kiahuna Plantation Drive, Koloa
FINALIST — Josselin’s Tapas Bar and Grill, 2829 Ala Kalanikaumaka, #F-207A, Koloa
FINALIST — Oasis, 4-820 Kuhio Highway, Kapaa
TOP WRITE-IN VOTE — Bar Acuda, 5-5161 Kuhio Highway, Hanalei
 

BEST NEW RESTAURANT
GOLD — Monkeypod Kitchen at KoOlina, 92-1046 Olani St., Kapolei 
SILVER — Lucky Belly, 50 N. Hotel St., Honolulu
BRONZE — HASR Bistro, 31 N. Pauahi St., Honolulu
FINALIST — Rinka, 1500 Kapiolani Blvd., Honolulu
FINALIST — Vintage Cave, 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., #2250, Honolulu
TOP WRITE-IN VOTE — Chef Chai, 1009 Kapiolani Blvd., Honolulu
 

BEST SERVICE
GOLD — Alan Wong’s Restaurant, 1857 S. King St. #208, Honolulu
SILVER — Roy’s Hawaii Kai, 6600 Kalanianaole Highway, Honolulu
BRONZE — La Mer, 2199 Kalia Rd., Honolulu
FINALIST — Chef Mavro, 1969 S. King St., Honolulu
FINALIST — Lahaina Grill, 127 Lahainaluna Rd., Lahaina
TOP WRITE-IN VOTE — Mariposa, 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., #2101, Honolulu
 

BEST BUSINESS LUNCH
GOLD — Mariposa, 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., #2101, Honolulu
SILVER  — The Pineapple Room by Alan Wong, 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu
BRONZE — Lucky Belly, 50 N. Hotel St., Honolulu
FINALIST — Tango Contemporary Cafe, 1288 Ala Moana Blvd., #120, Honolulu
FINALIST — HASR Bistro, 31 N. Pauahi St., Honolulu
TOP WRITE-IN VOTE — Murphy’s Bar & Grill, 2 Merchant St., Honolulu

BEST BREAKFAST
GOLD — Cafe Kaila, 2919 Kapiolani Blvd., #219, Honolulu
SILVER — Cinnamon’s, 315 Uluniu St., Kailua
BRONZE — Liliha Bakery, 515 N. Kuakini St., Honolulu
FINALIST — Longhi’s, 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., #3001, Honolulu
FINALIST — Morning Glass, 2955 E. Manoa Road., Honolulu
TOP WRITE-IN VOTE — Moena Cafe, 7192 Kalanianaole Highway, Honolulu
 

BEST BRUNCH
GOLD — Orchid’s, 2199 Kalia Road, Honolulu
SILVER — Prince Court, 100 Holomoana St., Honolulu
BRONZE — Plumeria Beach House, 5000 Kahala Ave., Honolulu
FINALIST — Cream Pot, 444 Niu St., Honolulu
FINALIST — Yogur Story, 815 Keeaumoku St., Honolulu
TOP WRITE-IN VOTE — Hau Tree Lanai, 2863 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu
 

BEST BUFFET
GOLD — The Oceanarium, 2490 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu 
SILVER — Hakone, 100 Holomoana St., Honolulu
BRONZE — Kai Market, 2255 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu
FINALIST — Five Star International Buffet, 2301 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu
FINALIST — Prince Court, 100 Holomoana St., Honolulu
TOP WRITE-IN VOTE — The Willows, 901 Hausten St., Honolulu
 

BEST COCKTAIL
GOLD — Nobu Waikiki, 2233 Helumoa Road, Honolulu
SILVER — Pint and Jigger, 1936 S. King St., Honolulu
BRONZE — Salt Kitchen & Tasting Bar, 3605 Waialae Ave., Honolulu
FINALIST — Manifest, 32 N. Hotel St., Honolulu
FINALIST — Town, 3435 Waialae Ave., #103, Honolulu
TOP WRITE-IN VOTE — RumFire, 2255 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu
 

BEST WINE PROGRAM
GOLD — Vino Italian Tapas and Wine Bar, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., #6D-1, Honolulu
SILVER — Brasserie Du Vin, 1115 Bethel St., Honolulu
BRONZE — Formaggio, 2919 Kapiolani Blvd., #106, Honolulu
FINALIST — Chef Mavro, 1969 S. King St., Honolulu
FINALIST — HASR Bistro, 31 N. Pauahi St., Honolulu
TOP WRITE-IN VOTE — Amuse, 1250 Kapiolani Blvd., Honolulu
 

BEST BAR FOOD
GOLD — Side Street Inn, 614 Kapahulu Ave., Honolulu
SILVER — Roy’s Waikiki, 226 Lewers St., Honolulu
BRONZE — Salt Kitchen & Tasting Bar, 3605 Waialae Ave., Honolulu
FINALIST — Home Bar and Grill, 1683 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu
FINALIST — Uncle Bo’s, 559 Kapahulu Ave., Honolulu
TOP WRITE-IN VOTE — Real a Gastropub, 1020 Auahi St., Honolulu
 

BEST PLACE TO TAKE VISITORS
GOLD — Mama’s Fish House, 799 Poho Place, Paia
SILVER — Tiki’s Grill and Bar,  2750 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu
BRONZE — House Without a Key, 2199 Kalia Road, Honolulu
FINALIST — Helena’s Hawaiian Food, 1240 N. School St., Honolulu
FINALIST — Izakaya Gaku, 1329 S. King St., Honolulu
TOP WRITE-IN VOTE — Shokudo, 1585 Kapiolani Blvd., Honolulu
 

BEST VEGETARIAN
GOLD — Whole Foods Market, 4211 Waialae Ave., #2000, Honolulu
SILVER — Down to Earth, 2525 S. King St., Honolulu
BRONZE — Greens and Vines, 909 Kapiolani Blvd., Honolulu
FINALIST — Beet Box Cafe, 66-443 Kamehameha Highway, Haleiwa
FINALIST — Peace Cafe, 2239 S. King St., # C, Honolulu
TOP WRITE-IN VOTE — Blue Tree Cafe, 1009 Kapiolani Blvd., Honolulu
 

BEST GOURMET COMFORT FOOD
GOLD — Side Street Inn, 614 Kapahulu Ave., Honolulu
SILVER — 12th Ave Grill, 1145 12th Ave., #C, Honolulu
BRONZE — Town, 3435 Waialae Ave., #103, Honolulu
FINALIST — Kalapawai Cafe & Deli, 750 Kailua Road, Kailua
FINALIST — Lucky Belly, 50 N. Hotel St., Honolulu
TOP WRITE-IN VOTE — Mac 24/7, 2500 Kuhio Ave., Honolulu
 

BEST STEAK
GOLD — Ruth’s Chris Steak House, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., #6C, Honolulu 
SILVER — Hy’s Steak House, 2440 Kuhio Ave., Honolulu
BRONZE — Morton’s the Steakhouse, 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu
FINALIST — BLT Steak, 223 Saratoga Road, Honolulu
FINALIST —  DK Steakhouse, 2552 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu
TOP WRITE-IN VOTE — The Signature, 410 Atkinson Drive, 36th Floor, Honolulu
 

BEST SEAFOOD
GOLD — Nico’s at Pier 38, 1133 N. Nimitz Highway, Honolulu
SILVER — Mama’s Fish House, 799 Poho Place, Paia
BRONZE — Uncle’s Fish Market and Grill, 1135 N. Nimitz Highway, Honolulu
FINALIST — Azure, 2259 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu
FINALIST — Mitch’s Fish Market & Sushi Bar, 524 Ohohia St., Honolulu
TOP WRITE-IN VOTE — Tiki’s Grill and Bar, 1940 Alaweo St., Honolulu
 

BEST DESSERT
GOLD — JJ Bistro & French Pastry, 3447 Waialae Ave., Honolulu
SILVER — Alan Wong’s Restaurant, 1857 S. King St. #208, Honolulu
BRONZE — Prima, 108 Hekili St., #107, Kailua
FINALIST — Nobu Waikiki, 2233 Helumoa Road, Honolulu
FINALIST — Vintage Cave, 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., #2250, Honolulu
TOP WRITE-IN VOTE — The Alley Restaurant at Aiea Bowl,  99-115 Aiea Heights Drive, Aiea
 

BEST DIM SUM
GOLD — Legend Seafood Restaurant, 100 N. Beretania St., #108, Honolulu
SILVER — Royal Garden, 410 Atkinson Drive, Honolulu
BRONZE — Mei Sum, 1170 Nuuanu Ave., #102, Honolulu
FINALIST — Fook Lam, 100 N. Beretania St., Honolulu
FINALIST — Yee Hong, 100 N. Beretania St. #101, Honolulu
TOP WRITE-IN VOTE — Mandalay, 1055 Alakea St., Honolulu
 

BEST OVERALL CHINESE
GOLD — Little Village Noodle House, 1113 Smith St., Honolulu 
SILVER — Happy Day, 3553 Waialae Ave., Honolulu
BRONZE — Ming’s Chinese Restaurant, 1860 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu
FINALIST — Dew Drop Inn, 1088 S. Beretania St., Honolulu
FINALIST — Hunan Cuisine, 53 N. Beretania St., Honolulu
TOP WRITE-IN VOTE — Jade Dynasty, 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., #4220, Honolulu
 

BEST HAWAIIAN
GOLD — Helena’s Hawaiian Food, 1240 N. School St., Honolulu
SILVER — Ono Hawaiian Food, 726 Kapahulu Ave., Honolulu
BRONZE — Yama’s Fish Market, 2332 Young St., Honolulu
FINALIST — Highway Inn, 94-226 Leoku St., Honolulu
FINALIST — Young’s Fish Market, 1286 Kalani St., Honolulu
TOP WRITE-IN VOTE — Waiahole Poi Factory, 48-140 Kamehameha Highway, Honolulu
 

BEST ITALIAN
GOLD — Assaggio Italian Ristorante, 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., #1259, Honolulu
SILVER — La Cucina Ristorante Italiana, 725 Kapiolani Blvd., Honolulu
BRONZE — Cafe Sistina, 1314 S. King St., Honolulu
FINALIST —  Bernini, 1218 Waimanu St., Honolulu 
FINALIST — Arancino at The Kahala, 5000 Kahala Ave., Honolulu
TOP WRITE-IN VOTE — Auntie Pasto’s Beretania, 1099 S. Beretania St., Honolulu
 

BEST IZAKAYA
GOLD — Izakaya Gaku, 1329 S. King St., Honolulu
SILVER — Imanas Tei, 2626 S. King St., Honolulu
BRONZE — Izakaya Nonbei, 3108 Olu St., Honolulu
FINALIST — Izakaya Naru, 2700 S. King St., Honolulu
FINALIST — Kona Kai, 3579 Waialae Ave., Honolulu
TOP WRITE-IN VOTE — Tokkuri Tei, 449 Kapahulu Ave., Honolulu
 

BEST SUSHI
GOLD — Izakaya Gaku, 1329 S. King St., Honolulu
SILVER — Mitch’s Fish Market & Sushi Bar, 524 Ohohia St., Honolulu
BRONZE — Sushi ii, 655 Keeaumoku St., #109, Honolulu
FINALIST —  Sushi Sasabune, 655 Keeaumoku St., #109, Honolulu
FINALIST —  Yohei Sushi Restaurant, 1111 Dillingham Blvd., #101, Honolulu
TOP WRITE-IN VOTE — Sansei Seafood Restaurant and Sushi Bar, 2552 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu
 

BEST JAPANESE NOODLES (RAMEN, UDON, SOBA)
GOLD — Goma Tei, 1200 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu
SILVER — Goma Ichi, 631 Keeaumoku St., Honolulu
BRONZE —  Inaba, 1610 S. King St., Honolulu
FINALIST — Yotteko Ya, 1960 Kapiolani Blvd., #214, Honolulu
FINALIST — Yuzu, 410 Atkinson Drive, Honolulu
TOP WRITE-IN VOTE — Tenkaippin Ramen, 617 Kapahulu Ave., Honolulu
 

BEST OVERALL JAPANESE
GOLD — Nobu Waikiki, 2233 Helumoa Road, Honolulu
SILVER — Ichiriki, 510 Piikoi St., #102, Honolulu
BRONZE — Nanzan Giro Giro, 560 Pensacola St., Honolulu
FINALIST — Jinroku, 2427 Kuhio Ave., Honolulu
FINALIST — Restaurant Wada, 611 Kapahulu Ave., Honolulu
TOP WRITE-IN VOTE — Morimoto’s Waikiki, 1775 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu
 

BEST THAI
GOLD — Phuket Thai, 401 Kamakee St., #102, Honolulu 
SILVER — Bangkok Chef, 2955 E. Manoa Road, Honolulu
BRONZE — Champa Thai, 3452 Waialae Ave., Honolulu
FINALIST — Opal Thai, 66-197 Kamehameha Highway, Honolulu
FINALIST — Thai Lao, 563 Farrington Highway, Kapolei
TOP WRITE-IN VOTE — Maile’s Thai Bistro, 2500 Kuhio Ave., Honolulu
 

BEST MEDITERRANEAN
GOLD — Olive Tree Cafe, 4614 Kilauea Ave., #107, Honolulu
SILVER — The Fat Greek, 3040 Waialae Ave., #A3, Honolulu
BRONZE — Da Spot, 2469 S. King St., Honolulu
FINALIST — Shaloha, 3133 Waialae Ave., Honolulu
FINALIST — Greek Marina, 7192 Kalanianaole Highway, #E126, Honolulu
TOP WRITE-IN VOTE — Mediterranean Gourmet, 5-7132 Kuhio Highway, Hanalei
 

BEST INDIAN
GOLD — Cafe Maharani, 2509 South King St., Honolulu
SILVER — Himalayan Kitchen, 1137 11th Ave., Honolulu
BRONZE — India Cafe, 600 Kailua Road, Kailua
FINALIST — Cafe Taj Mahal, 3036 Waialae Ave., #B-4, Honolulu
FINALIST — Chutney, 661 Keeaumoku St., Honolulu
TOP WRITE-IN VOTE — Monsoon India, 1778 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu
 

BEST YAKINIKU/KOREAN BBQ
GOLD — 678 Hawaii, 1726 Kapiolani Blvd., Honolulu
SILVER — Yakiniku Hiroshi, 339 Royal Hawaiian Ave., #2, Honolulu
BRONZE — Shillawon, 747 Amana St., Honolulu
FINALIST — Yakiniku Don-Day, 905A Keeaumoku St., Honolulu
FINALIST — Mikawon, 2345 Kuhio Ave., Honolulu
TOP WRITE-IN VOTE — Budnamujip, 871 Kapiolani Blvd., Honolulu
 

BEST OVERALL KOREAN
GOLD — Sorabol, 805 Keeaumoku St., Honolulu
SILVER — Choi’s Garden, 1303 Rycroft St., Honolulu
BRONZE — Million Restaurant, 626 Sheridan St., Honolulu
FINALIST — Ah-Lang aka Angry Korean Lady, 725 Kapiolani Blvd., #C119, Honolulu
FINALIST — Jong Ga, 512 Piikoi St., Honolulu
TOP WRITE-IN VOTE — Willow Tree, 25 Kaneohe Bay Drive, #104, Kailua
 

BEST VIETNAMESE
GOLD — The Pig and the Lady, 83 N. King St., Honolulu
SILVER — Hale Vietnam, 1140 12th Ave., Honolulu
BRONZE — Pho One, 1617 Kapiolani Blvd., Honolulu
FINALIST — Pho to Chau, 1007 River St., Honolulu
FINALIST — Saigon Vietnamese Cuisine, 164 N. King St., Honolulu
TOP WRITE-IN VOTE — Pho My Lam, 1160 Maunakea St., Honolulu
 

BEST MEXICAN
GOLD — Azteca Mexican Restaurant, 3617 Waialae Ave., Honolulu
SILVER — Serg’s Mexican Kitchen, 2740 E. Manoa Road, Honolulu
BRONZE — Los Chaparros, 2140 S. Beretania St., Honolulu
FINALIST — Baja Style, Food truck on the streets of Oahu
FINALIST — Zaratez Mexicatessen, 1637 Kapiolani Blvd., Honolulu
TOP WRITE-IN VOTE — Cactus, 767 Kailua Road, Kailua
 

BEST TASTING MENU
GOLD — Alan Wong’s Restaurant, 1857 S. King St. #208, Honolulu
SILVER — Chef Mavro, 1969 S. King St., Honolulu
BRONZE — La Mer, 2199 Kalia Road, Honolulu
FINALIST — Arancino at the Kahala, 5000 Kahala Ave., Honolulu
FINALIST — Vintage Cave, 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., #2250, Honolulu
TOP WRITE-IN VOTE — Cafe Miro, 3446 Waialae Ave., Honolulu
 

BEST HOLE IN THE WALL
GOLD — V Lounge, 1344 Kona St.,  Honolulu
SILVER — Ethel’s Grill, 232 Kalihi St., Honolulu
BRONZE — Palace Saimin, 1256 N. King St., Honolulu
FINALIST — Ray’s Cafe, 2033 N. King St., Honolulu
FINALIST — Your Kitchen, 1423 10th Ave., Honolulu
TOP WRITE-IN VOTE — Leoda’s Kitchen & Pie Shop, 820 Olowalu Village Road, Lahaina
 

BEST BEER PROGRAM
GOLD — REAL a Gastropub, 1020 Auahi St., Honolulu
SILVER — Monkeypod Kitchen, 92-1046 Olani St., Kapolei
BRONZE — Murphy’s Bar & Grill, 2 Merchant St., Honolulu
FINALIST — Pint and Jigger, 1936 S. King St., Honolulu
FINALIST — Bar35, 35 N. Hotel St., Honolulu
TOP WRITE-IN VOTE — Yard House, 226 Lewers St., Honolulu
 

Disclosure:
*Subject to credit approval. Apply for the Priority DestinationsSM World Elite credit card and, if you’re approved, receive 5 Priority Destinations Priority MilesSM per $1 spent for the first $6,000 in a calendar year on net qualifying travel purchases and thereafter, 2 Priority Miles per $1 spent on any subsequent net qualifying travel purchases; 2 Priority Miles per $1 spent on net qualifying everyday spend (gas, grocery, cable TV, phone and other monthly utilities); and 1 Priority Mile for every $1 spent on all other net qualifying purchases. Plus, you’ll earn 2 Priority Miles per $1 spent on all dining purchases made with your Priority Destinations credit card at any participating 2014 Hale ‘Aina Gold winning restaurant from 01/01/14 through 03/31/14. Additional fees and restrictions apply. See the Priority Destinations Program Agreement for more information. Priority Miles have no cash value except as described in the Priority Destinations Program Agreement. Travel and booking subject to availability through Orbitz®. First Hawaiian Bank reserves the right to cancel or change the Program at any time without prior notice.