Humuhumunukunukuāpua'a
Wailea
Restaurant in Wailea, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
Humuhumunukunukuāpua'a is a dinner-only Wailea choice for a polished resort evening rather than a casual backup. The 2026 Forbes “Soon To Be Rated” signal makes it worth considering for a special occasion, but compare nearby options if published pricing, lunch, or an easier table matters more.
About Humuhumunukunukuāpua'a
For Wailea dining planning, start with the schedule: Humuhumunukunukuāpua'a is open 5 to 9 PM daily. Treat it as a dinner plan rather than a lunch stop or casual daytime backup. The dress code is smart casual, so it fits an evening that calls for a bit more intention without requiring formal dress.
Dinner here is about timing and the occasion, not a quick meal
Service runs nightly from 5 to 9 PM. Plan around the known basics: Wailea, dinner hours, smart-casual attire. That makes it better suited to a planned evening than to a value-driven meal or a group that needs detailed pricing before choosing.
For a repeat Wailea visitor, the move is not to treat this as a default every-night choice. Use it when the evening needs a clearer plan and when the group is comfortable committing to dinner hours. If the priority is a looser meal, a lower-pressure table, or a different kind of Wailea dinner, compare it against nearby options before committing.
Key planning details
Key details are direct: Humuhumunukunukuāpua'a is in Wailea, opens 5–9 PM every day, lists a smart-casual dress code. Forbes also lists it as “Soon To Be Rated” for 2026, which is a recognition signal rather than a published star rating or score.
Who should choose it over another Wailea table
Choose Humuhumunukunukuāpua'a for a planned dinner in Wailea when the nightly 5–9 PM schedule and smart-casual dress code fit the evening. Skip it if the group needs lunch availability, pricing, or menu details before committing. For broader planning around the area, use our full Wailea restaurants guide, then narrow the shortlist by how structured the night needs to be.
Located inside
HotelGrand Wailea Maui, A Waldorf Astoria ResortFull hotel guidePlanning details
- Location
- 3850 Wailea Alanui Drive
- Reservations
- Book on OpenTable
- Website
- grandwailea.com/dine/humuhumunukunukuapuaa
- Phone
- 808-875-1234
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Humuhumunukunukuāpua'a delivers a quietly cinematic oceanfront experience where architecture and environment are inseparable. Guests cross a footbridge lined with torches and arrive at a thatched dining structure set over an open saltwater lagoon; the water moves beneath the restaurant and the low, persistent sound of the lagoon becomes part of the meal. A 2023 renovation refreshed the resort space while retaining that distinctive over‑water setting, so the restaurant reads as both refined and intimately connected to place. The result is a serene, romantic dining environment that foregrounds Hawai‘i’s coastal character rather than theatrical interior gestures.
Best For
This is a resort destination for evening dining, best suited to guests seeking an elevated oceanfront meal within Grand Wailea. The setting and service position it for romantic dinners and milestone celebrations that benefit from dramatic water‑set dining and attentive hotel hospitality. Because the experience is tied to the lagoon and the resort’s luxury positioning, it also appeals to travelers who are building a special‑occasion itinerary around Wailea’s premium corridor; the renovation underscores that the restaurant is competing at a high level among South Maui’s refined dining options.
Ordering Tips
The menu emphasizes Hawaiian seafood and island sourcing — expect local catch like ono, mahi‑mahi and ahi — alongside signature preparations. Standout items to seek out from the description include the Misoyaki Chilean Sea Bass, the Seafood Towers and the ʻAhi Coconut Ceviche; the Coffee‑Rubbed Wagyu Strip is listed as a non‑seafood signature. Given the restaurant’s sourcing focus, ordering preparations that showcase fresh island fish or a tower of shellfish is a reliable way to experience its coastal cooking ethos.
Venue details
Ambiance
Tropical open-air layout under thatched roofs with natural materials like koa wood and lava stone, blending classic Hawaiian elements with vintage charm, enhanced by sunset views and an aquarium bar.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Sourcing
View
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Leisurely
- Capacity
- Large
Signature Dishes
- Misoyaki Chilean Sea Bass
- Seafood Towers
- Coffee-Rubbed Wagyu Strip
- ʻAhi Coconut Ceviche
Planning details
Location
3850 Wailea Alanui Drive · Directions
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Where to go if this is not the right fit
Try Nobu Grand Wailea Maui if the group wants a more recognizable luxury name in Wailea. Try Wailea Surf Haus if the evening calls for something less formal and easier to fit into a resort schedule.
Restaurant context
How It Compares
Humuhumunukunukuāpua'a is the higher-commitment choice in this Wailea set because it is dinner-only and carries a 2026 Forbes “Soon To Be Rated” signal. Choose it when the night needs a more formal resort feel and a harder reservation is acceptable. Wailea Surf Haus is the safer cross-shop for a more relaxed Wailea meal, while Loulu is the better name to check if the group wants a less ceremonious plan.
Nobu Grand Wailea Maui is the obvious comparison for diners who want a known luxury-restaurant brand inside the same resort orbit. Pick Nobu when brand familiarity matters; pick Humuhumunukunukuāpua'a when the Wailea setting and occasion feel are the point. Olivine belongs in the same resort-dinner conversation for guests weighing ambiance first and menu specifics second.
The similarly named Humuhumunukunukuapuaa can confuse planning because the spelling differs. Confirm the exact listing before arranging the evening, especially for guests coordinating rides or hotel plans around Wailea.
Explore Wailea
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Humuhumunukunukuāpua'a guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Humuhumunukunukuāpua'a
| Venue | Location | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Humuhumunukunukuāpua'a | Wailea | 2026 Forbes Soon To Be Rated2026 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence |
| Wailea Surf Haus | Wailea | No published awards |
| Loulu | Wailea | No published awards |
| Nobu Grand Wailea Maui | Wailea | No published awards |
| Humuhumunukunukuapuaa | Kihei | No published awards |
| Olivine | Wailea | No published awards |
How Humuhumunukunukuāpua'a Wailea compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Humuhumunukunukuāpua'a good for a special occasion?
It can be a sensible pick for a planned dinner in Wailea. The hours are 5–9 PM daily, the dress code is smart casual, which gives the meal a more intentional evening feel. If you are comparing options, Nobu Grand Wailea Maui is another nearby dinner choice to consider.
How far ahead should I plan Humuhumunukunukuāpua'a?
Plan once your dinner date is fixed, especially if you need a specific time within the 5–9 PM nightly schedule. If your group is flexible, you can also compare Wailea Surf Haus and Olivine while planning.
What are alternatives to Humuhumunukunukuāpua'a in Wailea?
Other Wailea options to compare include Nobu Grand Wailea Maui, Loulu, Olivine, Wailea Surf Haus. Humuhumunukunukuāpua'a is the pick to consider when its 5–9 PM dinner hours and smart-casual dress code fit your plans.
Is lunch or dinner better at Humuhumunukunukuāpua'a?
Dinner is the option to plan around, since the venue operates 5–9 PM every day. The listed schedule is 5–9 PM, so plan around an evening meal.
What should a first-timer know about Humuhumunukunukuāpua'a?
Go in planning for dinner in Wailea, not a daytime meal. Key basics include 5–9 PM daily hours, a smart-casual dress code, Forbes “Soon To Be Rated” recognition for 2026. Confirm menu, pricing, seating details directly if those will affect your decision.
