Hawai‘i Restaurant Association is looking for a few amazing chefs, outstanding restauranteurs, lauded leaders and any other fantastic food service industry standouts.
If you know someone who is cream of the crop and deserves 5-star recognition, now is your chance to nominate them for Hawai‘i Restaurant Association’s 2026 Hall of Fame and Restaurant Industry Awards.
The awards honor outstanding restaurateurs, leaders and chefs who made lasting, substantial and distinctive contributions to Hawai‘i’s restaurant and food service industry.
Their leadership, vision and dedication positively impacted the local, national or international communities.
Members of the Hall of Fame and Restaurant Industry Awards include those who:
- Enhanced the image and quality of Hawai‘i’s restaurant and food service industry.
- Provided service to the industry through civic, philanthropic and/or educational outreach.
- Demonstrated dedication and commitment to the growth of the industry.
- 20-plus years of service, with at least 5 years as a restaurant operator or owner.
Nominations close April 30.
2026 AWARD CATEGORIES
- ACTIVE RESTAURATEUR: Celebrates exceptional restaurateurs active in the Hawai‘i restaurant industry.
- PIONEER: Honors leaders of the Hawai‘i restaurant industry for their contribution throughout the length of their careers.
- LOCAL CHAMPION: Person who leads support for local foods and beverages through all facets of their career. They make their restaurant a special experience because of the ingredients they select, farmers they work with and pride of place celebrated through their creations.
- INDUSTRY AWARD: Person who is or has been a chef, server, manager or bartender and demonstrated exceptional professionalism working in the restaurant industry. These people are honored for making their restaurant a special experience for customers.
- FRIEND/SUPPORTER/ALLIED PARTNER OF THE INDUSTRY: Person who provided exceptional support to the restaurant industry — either as a supplier, educator, writer, reporter or politician — who, through their work as an allied/supplier partner, made a contribution to the Hawai‘i hospitality industry.
Honorees will be celebrated during a special gala Sept. 28 at Sheraton Waikīkī on O‘ahu.
Email to info@hawaiirestaurant.org with any questions or for additional information.
Image from the 2025 Hawai‘i Restaurant Association Hall of Fame and Restaurant Industry Awards. (Courtesy Photo: Hawai‘i Restaurant Association)- Image from the 2025 Hawai‘i Restaurant Association Hall of Fame and Restaurant Industry Awards. (Courtesy Photo: Hawai‘i Restaurant Association)
- Image from the 2025 Hawai‘i Restaurant Association Hall of Fame and Restaurant Industry Awards. (Courtesy Photo: Hawai‘i Restaurant Association)
