Hoku's, the signature restaurant at the Kahala Mandarin Oriental hotel, reclaimed top honors this year in the Hale `Aina Awards, recognizing Hawaii's best restaurants. The popular top-tier eatery was previously named Restaurant of the Year in 1998. Over nearly two decades, the awards — based on an annual survey of subscribers to Honolulu Magazine — have established themselves as a benchmark for local cuisine. The full list of this year's winners recognizes nearly 40 eateries across the state.

The Best Bar designation went to Diamond Head Grill in Waikiki and Murphy's Bar & Grill downtown. Italian-inspired eateries Le Bistro and Sergio's Restaurant received the Best New Restaurant award. For affordable fare, magazine readers recommended Compadres and the Olive Tree Cafe.

In addition to Hale `Aina Award accolades, Hoku's has been named Best Hotel Restaurant in the Honolulu Advertiser’s Ilima Awards, and has made top lists of Gourmet Magazine, Condé Nast Traveler, Zagat Survey and Food & Wine Magazine. Head chef Wayne Hirabayashi was born and raised in Hawaii, and is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America.

The awards and profiles of several of the top-rated restaurants are featured in the magazine's January 2003 issue, on newstands now.

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19th Hale `Aina Awards Copyright © 2003 Honolulu Magazine/PacificBasin Communications Restaurant of the Year Hoku's, Kahala Mandarin Oriental — 739-8780 Oahu Award Winners Alan Wong's Restaurant — 949-2526 Bali by the Sea, Hilton Hawaiian Village — 941-2254 Chai's Island Bistro — 585-0011 Chef Mavro — 944-4714 Diamond Head Grill, W Honolulu Hotel — 922-3734 Donato's — 988-2000 L'Uraku — 955-0552 Mariposa — 951-3420 Orchids — 923-2311 Palomino — 528-2400 Roy's Restaurant — 396-7697 Ruth's Chris Steak House — 599-3860 Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar — 536-6286 3660 On the Rise — 737-1177 Best New Restaurant Sergio's Restaurant — 951-6900 Le Bistro — 373-7990 Best Restaurant Under $20 Compadres — 591-8307 Olive Tree Cafe — 737-0303 Best Restaurant Wine List Padovani's Restaurant & Wine Bar — 946-3456 Diamond Head Grill, W Honolulu Hotel — 922-3734 Best Bar Diamond Head Grill, W Honolulu Hotel — 922-3734 Murphy's Bar & Grill — 531-0422 Maui Award Winners David Paul's Lahaina Grill — 667-5117 Hali'imaile General Store — 572-2666 Nick's Fishmarket Maui — 879-7224 Pacific'O — 667-4341 Roy's Kahana Bar & Grill — 669-6999 Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar (Kapalua and Kihei) — 669-6286 and 879-0004 Big Island Award Winners Brown's Reach House, The Orchid at Mauna Lani — 885-2000 Cafe Pesto (Kawaihae and Hilo) — 882-1071 and 969-6640 CanoeHouse, Mauna Lani Bay Hotel — 885-6622 Merriman's Restaurant — 885-6822 Roy's Waikoloa Bar & Grill — 886-4321 Kauai Award Winners The Beach House Restaurant — 742-1424 Roy's Po'ipu Bar & Grill — 742-5000 A Pacific Cafe Kauai — 822-0013 Bull Shed — 822-3791 Duke's Kaua'i — 246-9599