Mala Featured During the Maui Invitational on ESPN!

We are excited to announce that Mala was recently spotlighted on ESPN during the Maui Invitational, one of the most prestigious college basketball tournaments in the nation! This incredible feature highlights Mala’s dedication to embracing the spirit of Hawai‘i through culinary artistry, cultural connection, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

Nestled along the picturesque shores of Lahaina, Mala has long been a treasured gem in the Maui dining scene. Known for its fresh, locally sourced ingredients and vibrant flavors, Mala offers a dining experience that celebrates both the heritage and the natural beauty of Hawai‘i. From our thoughtfully crafted dishes to the breathtaking oceanfront views, every aspect of Mala is designed to capture the essence of aloha.

The Maui Invitational provided the perfect stage to showcase what makes Mala special. With college basketball fans across the country tuning in, this feature not only introduced Mala to a national audience but also served as a reminder of the strength and resilience of our Maui ‘ohana. In the wake of challenges, moments like these allow us to come together, share our story, and shine a spotlight on the beauty of our community.

We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to share Mala’s journey with viewers on ESPN. A heartfelt mahalo to the entire Maui Invitational team, ESPN, and everyone who made this possible.

Watch the full feature here: View the Video

Join us as we continue to celebrate the flavors and spirit of Hawai‘i—one plate, one moment, and one story at a time.

Pride of Maui Spotlights Mala

After months of hard work, Mala Ocean Tavern is now open and welcoming guests again. The reopening has been met with immense support from the local community, as they have come together to celebrate Mala’s resilience and continued presence. Business has been steadily picking up as word spreads that Mala is back, and visitors are encouraged to check out this iconic dining spot. Read More…

Mala Ocean Tavern: A Beacon of Resilience on Maui's Front Street

Nestled along the shores of Maui's Lahaina, Mala Ocean Tavern stands as a symbol of resilience, community spirit, and the unwavering strength after the Lahaina Fires. This oceanfront restaurant has not only captured the hearts of locals but has also made waves across the nation, during their reopening at the first restaurant to open their doors on Front Street.

Mala Ocean Tavern holds a unique distinction in the vibrant history of Lahaina, being a staple of the Lahaina community since 2004. After the devastating Lahaina Fires, the town is left with many scars with residents losing everything from their homes to their businesses.

The story of Mala Ocean Tavern is not just one of culinary excellence but also a testament to the indomitable spirit of Lahaina's community. The founders, Mark and Judy Ellman, envisioned a haven by the sea where locals and visitors alike could come together to savor fresh, locally sourced cuisine while enjoying the breathtaking views of the Pacific. Under new ownership since 2018 this vision continued through covid and now through the fires, and has became even more significant as Mala Ocean Tavern reopened its doors to the community on February 1, 2024, providing a symbol of hope and renewal for Lahaina.

The restaurant's commitment to sustainability is evident in its menu, which showcases a fusion of local flavors. With an emphasis on using locally sourced ingredients, Mala Ocean Tavern not only delivers a delightful culinary experience but also supports the island's farmers and fishermen. From mouthwatering seafood dishes to flavorful vegetarian options, the menu caters to diverse palates, ensuring there's something for everyone.

Mala Ocean Tavern's post-fire reopening has not gone unnoticed, drawing attention from renowned publications that celebrate its resilience and the revitalization of Lahaina. Hawaii Magazine has lauded the restaurant for its dedication to preserving the spirit of the town, while Travel Weekly has praised its unwavering commitment to the aloha spirit. The coverage from various CBS and ABC affiliates has brought the story of Mala Ocean Tavern to living rooms across the nation, casting a spotlight on this beacon of hope in Lahaina. And special thanks to Conde Nast Traveler for telling the story of Lahaina and making mention of our tiny little tavern. Hear owner Javier Barberi speak with Hawaii Public Radio about the reopening of Maui’s favorite tavern. Island News totes Mala Ocean Tavern helping to reboot West Maui local business. And in other news, the BBC discussed taxing visitors to Hawaii, and Javier Barberi speaks to using the funds to support the local community. Taiwan SET TV visited Lahaina in April 2024 to cover recovery on Maui, and Barberi was interviewed. Link to the video and Javier at 8:53.

What sets Mala Ocean Tavern apart is not just its delectable dishes or stunning ocean views but the community-centric ethos that permeates every aspect of its operation. The restaurant has become a gathering place where stories are shared, friendships are forged, and the Lahaina community comes, once again, together to celebrate life's simple pleasures.

As you plan your visit to Maui, consider making Mala Ocean Tavern a must-visit destination. Experience the warmth of hospitality, indulge in exquisite cuisine, and witness the resilience of a community. Mala Ocean Tavern invites you to be a part of its story – a story of renewal, triumph, and the enduring spirit of Lahaina. Come, dine by the sea, and immerse yourself in the tale of this little tavern that has captured many hearts for the last 20 years.

Young, local, and hungry

By Kate Ducheneau

Local Flavor, Local Style, Local Chefs.

Maui’s favorite restaurants Mala Ocean Tavern, Down The Hatch and Duckine have an all star line-up of Chef’s and they are all local born and raised. Making their community proud as Executive Chefs, these Lahainaluna graduates are cultivating unique menus and putting an emphasis on young local professionals, promoting the local economy on Maui, Chef Alvin Savella, Chef Naiwi Teruya, and Chef Kalei Ducheneau, are creating a lot of buzz around the island. It was not planned, and through the last couple of years with many big changes, the stars aligned for the young restaurant group to have three up and coming Chef’s curate sensational menus that are making waves in the culinary scene on Maui.

The most recognized name, Chef Alvin Savella of Duckine, grew up in the same community that he now works professionally. Savella, now the Executive Chef and Co-owner of Maui’s newest hot spot, Asian Fusion restaurant Duckine (duck-kine) reflects on his family and the community he grew up in, “I always want to represent them well, it’s a small town and everyone knows everyone. I can only hope that what I do as a Chef or even just as a person for that matter can inspire and influence the next generation.” With food and family being some of Savella’s fondest childhood memories, he credits his parents, uncles, aunts, and community for the influence on his cuisine. “At an early age they taught us how to pick and clean vegetables, raise chickens, break down whole fish, pigs, cattle and goat to put on the family table.” This family style inspiration comes through in Savella’s recently opened west-side restaurant, Duckine, which features ‘family style meals’ with a big emphasis on Duck, along with a variety veggie and gluten free dishes, there is something for everyone. You will find Whole Duck, crispy and delicious, Dim Sum shareable items like Duck Bao Buns, house made Ube Noodles, and more. Chef Savella brings his unique style and elevates already beloved dishes within the Maui community.

Chef Naiwi Teruya is well known on Maui as a member of popular local band ‘3 Pounds of Kalo’ but this multi-talented local boy is a rising star in the Lahaina culinary scene. Chef Teruya found a home at Maui’s Best Bar Down The Hatch, and has already gained accolades for having the Best Poké on Maui (Maui No Ka Oi ‘Aipono Awards 2022). Chef Naiwi’s artful approach to life comes through in his dishes for the Southern Aloha cuisine at Down the Hatch. When asked what inspires him, he says, “When I think about creating a dish and combining flavors, I think about how “fun” it would be to do things that aren’t done normally. I like to always think about people and how they will enjoy my food. I have premonitions about food throughout my day.” Those premonitions lead to delicious and fresh food! Chef Naiwi prides himself on utilizing the fresh ingredients around him, especially with Down The Hatch’s location so close to Lahaina Harbor, he boasts, “We always support our local fishermen, I love purchasing fresh fish straight front Lahaina Harbor, our guests can even catch fish on charters, have their captain clean it and bring it to us and we’ll cook it for you, it even comes with a drink! That’s why we call ourselves the place to eat fish!” Chef Naiwi has made a name for himself in the local community for his talent, hard work, and craft. When asked who Chef Teruya owes his success to he credits his mother Mary Haunani Teruya for being his first culinary teacher and Uncle Willie K for raising him through his teenage years and inspiring greatness within him.

The youngest of the Executive Chefs for the West Maui restaurant group, Chef Kalei Ducheneau of Mala Ocean Tavern is up and coming on the Maui culinary scene. Born and raised on Maui Chef Kalei Ducheneau brings an interesting mix to his culinary approach, half Hawaiian and half French, Chef Kalei credits his culture and the food he grew up eating as his inspiration behind his culinary creations, “I grew up in this community, I understand the local ingredients and how they compliment each other”. Ducheneau shows his utilization of local ingredients and the influence local farmers in each dish he features at Mala Ocean Tavern. Recently stepping up from Sous Chef to Executive Chef at MALA, Chef Kalei mentions that he has had the opportunity to learn and grow from a multitude of talented local chefs, such as his most recent mentor Chef Alvin Savella. He has also worked at many local restaurants that put an emphasis on local produce and sourcing from our local community such as Merriman’s and Lahaina Fish Company. Chef Kalei is passionate about brining the best of Maui to each dish he presents, he proudly expresses, “I believe in supporting local and having local farming be present in the daily life of our local restaurants. When we support local, we will continue to uplift and support our community as a whole.” Chef Kalei sites being an alumnus of Lahainaluna High School promotes a sense of strength within him and roots him to his community, he is excited to watch the culinary community continue to prosper with the influx of emphasis on Hawaiian Cuisine and fresh local produce.

With such amazing young, local and hungry Chefs, there is no question why Mala Ocean Tavern, Down The Hatch and Duckine are making such an impact on the West Maui dining scene. The culinary creations coming from the kitchens of Chef Savella, Chef Teruya and Chef Ducheneau highlight their values and the community that they were raised in. The emphasis that these chefs bring to their ingredients and their guests’ dining experience, brings a deeper meaning to the expression “cooked with love”… and aloha.

The New Year is FRESH & WHITE at MALA! Let’s ring in 2023!

Join us for New Year’s Eve 2023 for MALA’s WHITE PARTY!

We’ll be celebrating oceanfront, and we’re going to be fancy! Wear your White and get ready to party!

The Garden will have an open air tent and the SILENT DISCO dance party will be outside! We’ll have DJ Maddy & DJ Kazami, along with a house channel to make sure you’re grooving to your favorite tunes.

Get your photo taken with Spotlight Photo Booth & have a momento to take home with you.

We’ll be toasting at Midnight & will cheers with some bubbles!

Tickets are $120/ea. You Must be 21+. Ticket includes passed pupus, two DJs, silent disco headphones, complimentary photos, and New Year’s toast!

Dining on NYE at MALA and want to stay for the party? You can get a discounted ticket when you dine with us before the party starts. Please contact the restaurant when you make your dining reservation to get your NYE tickets for $75/ea.

Out with the old, and in with the NEW YEAR! MALA’s WHITE PARTY will be the best party on Maui, we hope to see you there!

*MALA NYE Tickets are non-refundable.