HMSHost Corp. and Kahului (OGG) in Maui celebrated the grand opening of Sammy’s Beach Bar & Grill, a full-service restaurant created in conjunction with Sammy Hagar.
The island café© is part of a six-year contract extension HMSHost received in November and also included in the Gov. Linda Lingle administration’s $2.3B, 12-year airports modernization plan.
“HMSHost is demonstrating its commitment to welcoming Hawaii’s visitors at Maui’s Kahului Airport with local fare that reflects the culture of the islands,” says Brennon Morioka, director of the Hawaii Department of Transportation, in a statement.
The casual restaurant will include signed memorabilia from Hagar’s personal collection, as well as decorations from Hagar, Van Halen and other rock- and surf-inspired music.
Hagar will donate his profits from the restaurant to local community children’s charities through the Hagar Family Foundation.
The partnership developed over two to three years after Hagar and Stan Novack, HMSHost’s vice president of adult beverage and casual concepts, were introduced.
“We were trying to develop something that would represent Sammy and his lifestyle and pay tribute to his years in the music business,” says Susan Goyette, HMSHost spokeswoman.
Hawaii has become an important market for the company, as it has operations in three airports. HMSHost also recently opened Kona Brewing Co. and Samurai Sushi & Bento at Honolulu International (HNL). Kona started in 1994 as a result of a father and son’s love for the islands and their dream of creating locally made brews.
Kona’s menu will feature hand-tossed gourmet pizzas, innovative pupus and salads, and desserts.
HMSHost also has locations in Lihue (LIH).
