HONU SEAFOOD AND PIZZA 'SOFT OPENING' PART 2

PART 2- Honu Seafood and Pizza in Lahaina's soft opening with 50 plus guests, an evening to raise funds for a worthy cause. As Sascha manned the front of the house camera, I had to shadow Chef Keoki and the back of the house.

Chef Keoki with Beer Battered Uhu

Being a cook myself, I couldn't help but notice the brand new professional kitchen equipment at Honu. It even had that new kitchen aroma, you know, like that new car smell... It was nice to be in a kitchen that doesn't even have any oil stains, now that's brand spankin' new!







Women enjoying their vino

Back in the front of the house, Mark and Judy's guests enjoy vino, pupus, and each other. A special historical occasion. You see, this isn't just a restaurant or concept, this is what Mark and Judy calls 'Practicing Aloha' and you could feel it in the air. The word 'kokua' in Hawaiian means to help, or to assist. Mark and Judy aren't just business owners, they help out the community, by donating their valuable time, connections, and they put people to work. They're the new mom and pops.

Maui Artist Davo enjoys his food with friend

One of Mark's associates chimed in, "Leave it to Mark and his team to put a restaurant in a former surf shop."

All I can say is this, "Mark and Judy, write your book on success, it'll be on the shelves next to all the other books, but it'll stand out because knowing you guys, the covers will have Hawaiian prints on it."




More food

Again the food was light for a soft opening it was just what the folks needed, most of the evening was spent talking story, you know, Chef Keoki and Mark greeting the VIPs in attendance.

Shawn Steiman a coffee consultant was there behind the bar giving people some coffee tips, with ground coffee from local coffee growers.




Shawn Steiman Coffee Consultant

"Coffee is grown here on Maui and on the other islands, so now days, Hawaii is known for more than Kona Coffee," says Mr. Shawn Steiman.

He had his rigs out, pouring hot water into glass jars with filters on the top, a different way to brew coffee. It was interesting, he talked about coffee like a sommelier talks about wine. I'd call him a coffelier.



End part 2