Martha Cheng

Martha Cheng is the former Dining Editor for HONOLULU Magazine. She also writes for publications including The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Food and Wine, and Eater. In past lives, she was a line cook, food truck owner, Peace Corps volunteer and Google techie and has degrees in Computer Science and English from Wellesley College. She really likes listing things. More than a decade ago, she came to Honolulu for a boy and stayed for the people and ocean. She was born in San Francisco but prefers surfing in Hawai‘i.

Articles

Ralph Gaston, of Rusty’s Hawaiian Coffee and Isla Custom Coffees, on Presenting Himself as a Nonthreatening Black Man

The coffee farmer talks about the culture in Pāhala, Big Island, versus in cafés in Mainland cities.

Coronavirus

What It’s Like Being a Hawai‘i Nurse During a Pandemic

Here’s how local hospitals adapted to treating COVID-19 patients.

Maui Ku‘ia Estate: a Lahaina Cacao Farm and Hawai‘i’s Largest Chocolate Factory

Buy Maui grown and made chocolate online, and sign up for chocolate tastings, virtual and at the Lahaina tasting room.

Neighbor Islands

A perspective on being a Black female business owner in Hawaii

This is part of a series on perspectives from Black food-business owners in Hawai‘i on honolulumagazine.com. HONOLULU MAGAZINE: What’s your culinary background? Gida Snyder: I have been cooking professionally for 13 years now. I went to Kapi‘olani Community College for…

Gida Snyder of Slow Island Co. on Being Black in the Food Industry

The caterer and maker of syrups using Hawai‘i-grown ingredients on why she’s talking race and politics in her business.

Qiana Owner Sale Pepe Lahaina Maui Cover

Qiana Di Bari, Owner of Sale Pepe in Lahaina, On Racism in the Food Business and Why She Feels At Home On Maui

Qiana Di Bari used to manage the hip-hop group A Tribe Called Quest before opening her own restaurant in New York, then moving to Maui in 2013.

Lamont Brown, Chef and Owner of Maya’s Tapas and Wine, on Being Black and Mexican in the Food Industry in Hawai‘i

He also tells us about how he created the Spanish-Mexican menu at his Hale‘iwa restaurant, which celebrates its two-year anniversary this month.

Get Hawai‘i Raised, Naturally Farmed Pork for Father’s Day from Mountain View Farms

Using Korean natural farming techniques—the sourdough of farming—David Wong raises about 800 pigs on a vegetarian diet without the use of antibiotics and vaccines.

Food & Dining

How Did a Japanese Restaurant Group Invade Hawai‘i Cuisine Without Anyone Noticing?

While you were busy avoiding Waikīkī, Zetton was infiltrating the neighborhood.

4 New Things You Can Buy At Manoa Chocolate

Local Businesses

4 New Things You Can Buy at Mānoa Chocolate

Mānoa Chocolate opened a new factory capable of churning out 50,000 chocolate bars a month, more than twice as many as the old spot.

2019 Hale ‘Aina Award Winners: Lahaina Grill Wins Gold for Maui’s Best Restaurant

We talk with owner Jurg Munch about the restaurant’s history of success.

Honolulu Restaurants are Reopening Today. What Should You Expect When Dining In?

Face masks, gloves, clear acrylic barriers and outdoor tables.

Cheap Eats

Pick Up Lychee and Lup Cheong at Sun Chong Grocery in Honolulu’s Chinatown

Lychee season is here. Plus, Sun Chong has all your Chinese cooking essentials, including lup cheong from San Francisco.

Travel All Over The World While Staying On Oahu For Breakfast At These 7 Restaurants Filipino

Food & Dining

Travel Around the World (Without Leaving Hawai‘i) For Breakfast at These 7 Restaurants

Be bold this morning and let your first meal take you around the globe, from Taiwan’s fan tuan to Mexico’s menudo.

Markets

Discover Mushroom Jerky from ‘Ōpala Foods at the Honolulu Farmers Market at Blaisdell and Farm Link Hawai‘i

The mushroom grower offers pink and white oyster mushrooms and mushroom jerky for a vegetarian version of taegu.

Restaurant Guide

Secrets of the Chefs Who Cater in Hawai‘i

One was allergic to blood; another planned his own funeral. A groom popped in to fight a chef, while shrimp shells followed another chef home.

New Maui-Made Fresh Pasta by Bu’ono is Now Available at O‘ahu Whole Foods

Lahaina’s Sale Pepe now offers retail packages of fresh pasta and sauces.

Comfort Eats: Mian in Honolulu is Back

Mian’s spicy Chongqing noodles will set your mouth buzzing.

State DOH Issues Cease and Desist Order to Mālama Meals’ Free Meal Delivery Program

Mālama Meals was serving about 8,000 meals a day on O‘ahu, Kaua‘i and Moloka‘i.

Honolulu Restaurants and Takeout Spots Where You Can Stock Up On Pantry Staples and Groceries

Six places to get flour, yeast, meat, vegetables and, yes, toilet paper.

Vietnamese

Comfort Eats: Find Pho and Vegan Vietnamese at The Ripple of Smiles

And yes, smiles, too.

Quail, Duck, Steeped in Tea, Fertilized or a Century Old: How Do You Like Your Eggs?

Hard-boiled chicken eggs are great. But these other egg options will definitely bring you out of your shell.

Locally Owned

Comfort Eats: Find Sourdough Waffles and Perfect Pizzas at Wicked HI Café

This little Waialua café uses wild yeasted dough for its waffles, pizzas and sandwiches.

Local Businesses

Meal Kits to Grocery Delivery: How to Eat the Best Local Food at Home

Back in 2020, weeks of quarantine cuisine renewed our love for local businesses that deliver great Hawai‘i produce, meat and even locally prepared meals right to our doors.