Food & Beverage

Chef Todd Kihara didn’t arrive at the Ocean Course Hōkūala in a chef’s coat. He came looking for a change of pace and a way to reconnect with the island – and found himself back in the kitchen. After nearly two decades in Reno, Nevada, working in executive culinary roles at high-end dining operations and private clubs – including the prestigious Montreux Golf Club – Chef Todd returned home to Kaua’i and joined the team at Hōkūala rejuvenating the food & beverage program with his creative culinary aloha to share some amazing flavor flavs to the Kiele Café Menu.

Since taking over as Chef at Hale Kiele, Todd has completely refreshed the menu, adding thoughtful touches and local flavor to what was once a grab-and-go operation. One of the most popular additions is his creative spin on his childhood favorite – the peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Utilizing the pineapple sweetbread, baked fresh on Kaua’i by a local bakery in Kapaʻa – cut thick and layered with silky-smooth peanut butter and guava jam. On the outside it is buttered and then sprinkled ever so gently with organic sugar in the raw, then brulee`d in 400-degree convection oven. The result is warm, buttery, crispy outside and soft, smooth and melty on the inside.

The new Shoyu Hotdog Musubi is a hit with local fans of the famous Spam Musubi. A marinated all-beef hot dog with soy-sesame teriyaki glazed, seasoned rice and furikake wrapped in nori, a new twist on a standard hot dog sandwich.

At the Poke Fest, the Ocean Course Hōkūala All Stars Team participated with a new creation of Chef Todd name Alahou (New Path, New Beginnings) Ahi Poke, inspired by a blend of Asian and Hawaiian flavors. It was created with Thai Curry, and Shoyu Infused Poke Sauce, Sweet Maui Onion, Green Scallions, Sake, Mirin, Sesame Oil, Agave Nectar, Korean Chili Flake, House-made Takuan, Roasted Peanuts, Mini Microgreen Haystack and Hōkūala Honey and Kalamansi Drizzle.

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Hale Kiele opens daily from 6:30am to 3:30pm. Stop by for a sit in or take out of hot and cold sandwiches, hotdogs, panini, pizza, PB&J, Musubi and more. Hale Kiele is located adjacent the putting green on the golf course, call for assistance at 808.241.6000.

Kawena Hokuala | June – July 2026

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Kawena Hokuala | Dec 2025 – Jan 2025

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