Take taste buds to new, flavorful heights

Schezuan Oxtail Ragu Tagliatelle ($34)

Hoku’s at The Kahala Hotel & Resort is undoubtedly a rising star in Oahu’s dining scene. In fact, make that the globe’s dining scene. Hoku’s diverse cuisine rooted in Hawaiian-style cooking is winning the hearts of people around the world thanks to the restaurant’s chef de cuisine Eric Oto.

The local boy chef was born and raised on Oahu and was taught the ways of the land and sea by his father, who was both a farmer and a fisherman. While Oto shares his skills with guests of Hoku’s, his career continues to take flight as he joins the crew of Hawaiian Airlines’ Featured Chef Series.

Fried Ahi Poke Musubi ($20)

From Dec. 1 to May 31, 2019, Oto will lead the airline’s second phase of the series, as his culinary creations will be served as first class meals on flights coming to Hawaii from the mainland.

Additionally, look out for Oto at the upcoming 2018 Hawaii Food & Wine Festival on Oct. 26 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Hawaii Convention Center. Presented by Hawaiian Airlines, Oto will be among just 20 chefs of the Winederland event cooking up delightful pairings of acclaimed wines, which are poured by the actual winemaker.

Roasted Half Chicken ($36)

Interested parties can visit hawaiifoodandwinefestival.com.

For anyone who has indulged in Oto’s dishes, it’s no wonder as to how he is generating waves across the islands.

Hoku’s revamped menu includes unique ideas created by Oto and his team. Take a bite into Fried Ahi Poke Musubi ($20) that Oto explains wraps up everything that local people While it may not look like it, these golden bites are made from thinly sliced potatoes that are — simply put — agitated and flash fried, according to the chef.

Local Goat Cheese Duo ($17)

And finally, Schezuan Ox-tail Ragu Tagliatelle ($34) will certainly appease anyone’s craving of fresh pasta. The dish comprises an Asian-flavor base and is topped with fried tendon chips that provide a puffy crunch similar to shrimp chips and, of course, pieces of tender oxtail meat.

From the land, sea, and now, even air, Hoku’s has all the unique flavors that will put your search for ono eats with quality fare to rest — plus, to top off the meal awaits gorgeous views of the resort’s verdant courtyard and Pacific blue just out back.