It’s not every day that one of Los Angeles’ most celebrated izakayas trades the urban edge of Echo Park for the breezy, salt-kissed shores of the Big Island. But this summer, OTOTO—the James Beard award-winning sake bar beloved for its playful reverence of Japanese flavors—is setting up shop at Mauna Lani’s Surf Shack, bringing with it a laid-back culinary experience that is both beachy and elevated.
Between now and September 1, guests and lucky locals will find a menu unlike anything else on the Kohala Coast: a sake-forward surf snack party led by Chef Charles Namba and Beverage Director Courtney Kaplan. The duo, known for redefining izakaya culture in L.A. with serious technique and zero pretension, are trading sake flights and fried chicken wings for something even more exciting—a seaside stage to riff on familiar flavors and introduce island-goers to a Japanese-American menu that sings with coastal soul.
The setting is pure Hawaii nostalgia: Surf Shack, Mauna Lani’s thatched-roof hideaway, feels like a love letter to the retro surf dens of the ’60s. But the food? Pure OTOTO. Think: the fan-favorite “Ode to Mos Burger,” a cheeky tribute to the Japanese fast-food staple, and their cult-loved Tebasaki, fried chicken wings doused in sesame and crave-worthy spice. Each of the eight featured dishes arrives with a curated sake pairing handpicked by Kaplan, who has built one of the most respected sake programs in the U.S. by championing small, family-run breweries you’ve probably never heard of but won’t forget.
“It’s a thrill for me to curate a selection that not only goes perfectly with this limited edition menu, but also with the warm breezes and salt air of the Kohala Coast,” says Kaplan.
This seasonal residency is part of Mauna Lani’s ongoing culinary evolution, which has seen recent partnerships with a who’s-who of kitchen talent, from Blue Ribbon and Nami Nori to Nancy Silverton and Andrew Zimmern. With the reimagining of its flagship HaLani and the continued acclaim of CanoeHouse, the resort has made its culinary ambitions clear: Mauna Lani isn’t just a place to unwind—it’s a place to eat well.
“We are thrilled to welcome OTOTO to Mauna Lani this summer for a truly collaborative residency at the Surf Shack,” says Pete Alles, General Manager at Mauna Lani. “Their inventive take on Japanese cuisine, paired with our oceanfront setting, promises to create a one of a kind casual dining experience for our guests. This collaboration celebrates our shared commitment to craftsmanship, creativity, and the spirit of aloha.”
With dishes meant to be passed around (preferably in flip-flops, and preferably after a surf lesson), this summer’s OTOTO residency invites diners to lean in, sip slowly, and let the island set the pace. There’s no rush—just really good food, really great sake, and the kind of sunset backdrop that makes you wish this were permanent.
Reservations aren’t mandatory but are strongly encouraged; you don’t want to miss this wave.