Turtle Bay Resort has appointed Lyle Kaku as executive chef overseeing the iconic property’s culinary offerings on Oahu’s North Shore. Born and raised on the Big Island, Chef Kaku is thrilled to return to his roots and share the true flavors of the islands with guests and locals alike.
With more than 20 years of experience in a number of acclaimed restaurants in Las Vegas, San Francisco and Maui, Chef Kaku describes his cuisine as inspired and simple yet elegant and always with a local flare using the freshest ingredients. “I am so excited to be back in Hawaii and truly showcase the diverse food culture we have here,” said Chef Kaku. “A lot of visitors don’t realize all of the international influences in Hawaiian cuisine and Turtle Bay offers the perfect destination to highlight all of these nuances.”
At Turtle Bay, his vision is for guests to leave with memories to bring back home and share with their ohana and friends that started around a table, sharing amazing food and talking story—just like he remembers from his childhood. “Traveling and experiencing different cultures has always been so important to me and my family, as well as my team members in the kitchen, and we look forward to infusing these experiences into the menus at all of our dining outlets.”
As part of the resort’s recent reimagination, the entire food and beverage program has been transformed to celebrate the local culture and bountiful ingredients grown on the island. Just off the lobby, the resort’s main dining destination, Alaia, evokes relaxed luxury and incorporate the North Shore’s sustainable agriculture throughout the menu, including produce from the resort’s own Kuilima Farm. The lobby bar, Off The Lip, features a sunken footprint that provides unimpeded views of the breaking surf and brilliant Hawaiian sunsets. A new lobby cafe, Ho’olana, greets guests with panoramic views of the sunrise while offering gourmet locally-sourced coffees and light bites.
As the only full-service resort on the North Shore – the home of big wave surfing – Turtle Bay is set on 1,300 oceanfront acres, featuring scenic wooded trails, sprawling farmland, and five miles of pristine beaches, ranging from secluded coves to legendary surf spots. Nearly every aspect of the property will be transformed to immerse guests in this dramatic landscape, from the locally inspired dining concepts to the stunning redesigned lobby and pool deck to the spacious new Ocean Bungalows just steps from the water. Located on a peninsula and designed with three wings of guestrooms, every room and suite has stunning ocean views. With a host of elevated experiences that will be offered exclusively at the resort, guests of Turtle Bay Resort will discover a deeper connection to the North Shore’s outdoor adventures and rich surf culture.
For more information, please visit www.turtlebayresort.com.
