Mala Ocean Tavern Blog
WHERE HAWAII EATS VISITs MALA
Mala Ocean Tavern’s Executive Chef Kalei Ducheneau featured on Where Hawaii Eats! Anne Lee hosts special guests from all over the islands each week to learn about their experiences, and get some insight into Hawaii’s extraordinary food scene and culture.
Mala Ocean Tavern’s Executive Chef Kalei Ducheneau featured on Where Hawaii Eats! Anne Lee hosts special guests from the islands each week to learn about their experiences and get some insight into Hawaii’s extraordinary food scene and culture. Lee stopped by the Best Oceanfront Dining on Maui to talk with Chef Kalei and Mixologist Dennis Day to explore the cuisine and inspiration Maui’s favorite oceanfront eatery. Check out the episodes that aired January 2023.
Where Hawaii Eats presented by Dining Out airs on K5 Hawaii News Now. You can also subscribe to the Where Hawaii Eats YouTube Channel to find other exciting restaurants in the Hawaiian Islands.
Young, local, and hungry
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 creating a lot of buzz around the island.
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.
$5 Mala mosas are back!
We are starting the New Year off right this season with the return of our signature $5 Mala Mimosas! Join us at Mala Ocean Tavern every Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday during Brunch hours - 9am to 2pm - and order up your favorite juices accompanied with crisp bubbles from our selected Jean Louis Blanc de Blancs Sparkling.
We are starting the New Year off right this season with the return of our signature $5 Māla Mimosas! Join us at Māla Ocean Tavern every Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday during Brunch hours - 9am to 2pm - and order up your favorite juices accompanied with crisp bubbles from our selected Jean Louis Blanc de Blancs Champagne. Keep it light and order a single or split a bottle with friends and your choice of two juices for only $25!
Join us everyday for our specialty brunch features or stick around for our Happy Hour Live Music starting at 2pm and see where the day takes you!
“Shaka For Suede"
Mala Ocean Tavern would like to invite you to join us on Friday, December 16, 2022 for a Happy Hour 2-4p fundraiser, benefiting "Shaka For Suede". Suede Ducheneau is 5 years old and in July of 2022 was diagnosed with moderately severe bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, his sister Roux just turned 4 and within the last month has also been diagnosed with hearing loss. Both children must undergo testing and continually monitor the rate of progression of their hearing loss. At MALA, we are trying to raise funds for "Shaka For Suede" to reach the goal of $8000.00 to cover the expenses for the upcoming year. We thank you in advance for any donation you can make to "Shaka For Suede".
LIVE MUSIC HAPPY HOUR 2-4P AND FUNDRAISER & Silent auction
Mala Ocean Tavern would like to invite you to join us on Friday, December 16, 2022 for a Happy Hour 2-4p fundraiser, benefiting "Shaka For Suede". Suede Ducheneau is 5 years old and in July of 2022 was diagnosed with moderately severe bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, his sister Roux just turned 4 and within the last month has also been diagnosed with hearing loss. Both children must undergo testing and continually monitor the rate of progression of their hearing loss. The family lives on Maui and must see specialists only located on Oahu, creating even more expenses for the family to travel for these appointments. The visits are scheduled twice a month. Along with the travel expenses, additional equipment for the children are also a new expense for the family on a budget. At MALA, we are trying to raise funds for "Shaka For Suede" to reach the goal of $8000.00 to cover the expenses for the upcoming year. We thank you in advance for any donation you can make to "Shaka For Suede".
About Suede and Roux Ducheneau.
The Ducheneau Family lives on Maui's west side, and like many families in their position, the essential expenses needed for young children's treatments have burdened their family and their savings. The Ducheneau family is a part of the Mala Ocean Tavern ohana and we want to help the family raise awareness and help them find the support they need to make it through this challenging time.
A little about Suede and Roux; Suede will be 6 in January; he was diagnosed officially at Kapiolani Medical Center in July of 2022 with moderately severe bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. What does this mean? The nerve that produces sound to the brain does not function as normal. Suede has been fitted for his hearing aids and is over the moon that he can hear what his parents are now saying to him. Since birth, Suede has undergone six surgeries in relation to his hearing. He hasn't let that phase him. Suede is always smiling and enjoying the life that he was given. He loves sharks, Cooking with his Dad, and he absolutely loves his new hearing aid!
His sister Roux will soon join him in wearing a very cute pair of hearing aids. Roux, just turned 4. She has started her testing, after recent brainstem testing that diagnosed her with hearing loss. Her future testing will occur every 6 months. With the example of her brother, she is already learning sign language. Roux loves cats, "Bluey", and putting on make-up.
Suede has recently been enrolled in the Kihei Elementary Deaf Education Program, and the family is currently in the process of enrollment for Roux.
As parents of young children, Kalei and Kate Ducheneau are working hard to make the life their children need and deserve. Both working Full-Time, and Kate is taking 9 credit hours at the University of Hawaii Maui College, they are doing their very best to support the needs of their wonderful, bright, and loving children.
From mother Kate Ducheneau, "We will continue to seek answers and advice from pediatric specialists for our children as we feel they are our most knowledgeable resource. We are SO grateful for our local community for reaching out to us and supporting our family during this time." If you would like to contribute or contact the family directly please contact kateducheneau@gmail.com.
Mala Ocean Tavern is helping to raise funds for the Ducheneau's, our Ohana. We appreciate any support or assistance that you are able to provide for this young family on Maui.
The Ducheneau's are active in Hands and Voice non-profit Hawaii Start-up Chapter, working towards helping the Deaf and Hearing Impaired in the community, and encourage people to find out more. https://www.handsandvoices.org/resources/dhh-plus.html
Donations for “Shaka For Suede” can be made via Venmo @Shaka4Suede. See the QR Code above.
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! Tickets include; entry, passed pupus, champagne toast, complimentary photos, and more!
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.