Relaxing beneath a thatched umbrella with a refreshing coconut mojito in hand, the soothing strum of a ‘ukulele in the background and a fiery orange-pink sunset painting the sky — this is Hawai‘i at its finest. And few places capture that feeling quite like Duke’s restaurants.
Named in honour of Duke Kahanamoku — the legendary Hawaiian waterman considered the father of surfing — Duke’s restaurants offer more than just a meal; they serve a slice of island life. With six locations across the United States and another on the way, each venue embodies the aloha spirit and pays tribute to Duke’s legacy.
The story began in 1977, when best friends Rob Thibaut and Sandy Saxten opened Kimo’s in Old Lahaina Town on Maui, launching T S Restaurants. They followed up with Leilani’s on the Beach in nearby Kā‘anapali in 1982, and Keoki’s Paradise at Po‘ipū Beach on Kaua‘i in 1986.
Duke’s Restaurant and Barefoot Bar (now Duke’s Kaua‘i) was the first outlet in the chain, opening at Kalapaki Bay in 1989. Duke’s Waikīkī opened on the historic site of the original Outrigger Canoe Club in 1992, followed by the open-air Duke’s Beach House Maui on North Kā‘anapali Beach in 2009. The concept also made its way to the US mainland, where Duke’s now has venues in Malibu, Huntington Beach, and San Diego — all iconic surf destinations.
Each location has a relaxed, beachy vibe, with open-air or window-lined layouts, timber panelling and tropical-print cushions. The walls are lined with black-and-white photos of Kahanamoku, who was also a six-time Olympic medallist in swimming and water polo. Vintage surfboards, outrigger canoes and other memorabilia add to the nostalgic vibes.
On the menu, you’ll find Hawai‘i favourites like coconut shrimp, poke tacos, and ahi steak. But the star of the show is the legendary Hula Pie. First created at Kimo’s, it was described as “what the sailors swam ashore for in Old Lahaina Town”. The indulgent dessert features macadamia nut ice-cream stacked on a chocolate cookie crust, topped with rich chocolate fudge and whipped cream swirled to resemble a hula skirt. It’s always served on a special Duke’s Hula Pie plate, with the tip of the slice pointed to the “I.”
And the Duke’s ‘ohana (family) is still growing. In late 2025, the brand will debut its first location on island of Hawai‘i, with the opening of Duke’s Kona at the OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa — a sprawling, oceanfront venue certain to bring even more aloha to the Hawaiian Islands.
