Maui’s beloved restaurant returns October 24 with Chef Matt Dela Cruz at the helm
The Return of Kō
WAILEA, MAUI – October 24 marks a new chapter at Kō, Maui’s celebrated restaurant. With a reimagined menu, a refreshed space, and the same aloha at heart, Kō invites guests to reserve their table today and be among the first to experience its highly anticipated return.
Known for sharing memories through food, Kō has long been a gathering space where generations come together to share, celebrate, and honor the rich tapestry of Maui’s history and diverse cultures. A place where every dish carries a story and every bite evokes a memory.
At the heart of Kō’s new era is Executive Chef Matt Dela Cruz, whose personal, multi-generational connection to Hawai‘i’s sugarcane era inspires every dish. Born and raised in the town of Kekaha on Kaua‘i, his earliest memories revolve around home-cooked meals, shared traditions, and the unique flavors that shaped his upbringing. Trained on Kaua‘i under acclaimed Chef Roy Yamaguchi, Chef Matt honed his skills across some of Hawai‘i’s favorite restaurants. Following nearly a decade leading Humble Market Kitchin in Wailea, Chef Dela Cruz found what he calls his true home at Kō.
At Kō, Hawaiian, Filipino, Portuguese, Korean, Japanese, and Chinese influences come alive on every plate, creating flavors that are familiar yet completely new. Chef Dela Cruz brings what he calls “elevated comfort” – blending refined technique with the familiar flavors of local home cooking and sourcing ingredients from Maui’s farmers, fishermen, and food producers to create dishes that reflect place and community.
“Hawai‘i’s sugarcane era is an integral part of my family’s history,” said Chef Dela Cruz. “Everything I create comes from the heart, meant to stir memories for those who grew up here while introducing new friends to the local flavors and diverse cultures that shaped Hawai‘i. At Kō, food has always been about more than flavor… it’s about carrying forward the tradition of sharing stories and memories through every bite.”
The restaurant’s reimagined menu goes beyond the plate. Guests will discover innovative cocktails crafted from unique spirits and flavors drawn from the same cultures that have shaped Hawai‘i over generations. Combined with the space’s refreshed design, Kō invites guests to experience its new era while keeping the same heart at the center of every moment.
“Kō is a place to gather, connect, and share – not just food, but stories,” said Peni Siua, Kō’s General Manager. “We want everyone who walks through the door to feel part of something special. Reservations are now open, and we can’t wait to welcome our community back to be part of this new chapter.”
Originally envisioned by the late Chef Tylun Pang in 2012 as a tribute to Hawai‘i’s rich culinary history, Kō honors the island’s multiethnic roots through thoughtfully reimagined recipes. Today, under the leadership of Executive Chef Matt Dela Cruz, that legacy continues – infused with fresh perspective, reverence, and soul, offering guests a dining experience that celebrates the flavors, stories, and memories that have made Kō one of Maui’s most beloved restaurants.
Reserve your table now at www.opentable.com/r/ko-at-the-fairmont-kea-lani
