Nov 6, 2017

Honolulu Travel Dining Update: HMSHost and Rock Legend Sammy Hagar Open Sammy’s Beach Bar & Grill at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)

HMSHost’s own marketplace concept Makai Plantation also now open

HONOLULU — Sammy’s Beach Bar & Grill is now welcoming travelers with a lively beach and rock n’ roll atmosphere in Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. Global restaurateur HMSHost, with joint venture partner GRL Corporation and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Sammy Hagar, opened this new restaurant to share Sammy’s love for great food, beach living, and rock n’ roll music with travelers in Hawaii’s busiest airport. HMSHost and the airport will celebrate the new opening by holding a traditional Hawaiian blessing ceremony on December 20th. Located in HNL’s ’s Ewa Concourse Terminal next to Gate 28, this is the fourth Sammy’s Beach Bar & Grill that HMSHost has opened in United States airports.

“What a blast it is to open a new restaurant with our great partner and rock n’ roll legend Sammy Hagar! Travelers love Sammy’s Beach Bar & Grill for its delicious food and fun atmosphere, and people flying in and out of Honolulu can now experience the unique vibe of dining at Sammy’s,” said HMSHost Vice President of Business Development Anthony Alessi. “HMSHost is proud to operate in Honolulu’s airport and we are very excited to have the opportunity to partner with the State of Hawaii Department of Transportation to continue bringing new and exciting dining options to travelers.”

The menu at Sammy’s Beach Bar & Grill in Honolulu focuses on approachable high quality food to offer something for all travelers, from the vacationer to the businessperson, and even locals jumping islands just to visit family. The beachy Tex-Mex and tasty traditional American cuisine for which Sammy’s Beach Bar & Grill is known is fused with Hawaiian influences to offer dishes like the Baja Style Beer-Battered Mahi Mahi Tacos, Kalua Pork Sliders, Beach Fish & Chips, and Red Rockin Haleakala Wings. The drinks menu naturally features Sammy’s own Cabo Wabo Tequilia and Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum, which is used in the restaurant’s signature Mint Macadamia Mule.

“Hawaii is one of my favorite places in the world and it’s where my Beach Bar Rum was born so HNL is the perfect fit for the newest Sammy’s Beach Bar & Grill location,” said Sammy Hagar. “Mai `ai and cheers to my fans and travelers who dine there and I look forward to starting the circle of giving back to the community of Honolulu like we’ve done in our other locations.\"

The restaurant’s interior is a vibrant tribute to Hawaii’s beach-going Aloha lifestyle while also showing a significant appreciation for rock music. A beach party mood is set with the brightly painted walls, surfboard lighting, Hagar autographed guitars, hand-written song lyrics, and framed records of smash hits from the musical glory days of Sammy Hagar and Van Halen.

“There are a lot of positive improvements happening now at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport and the opening of the new Sammy’s Beach Bar & Grill and Makai Plantation are both exciting additions that will enhance the customer experience,” said Ross Higashi, Hawaii Department of Transportation Deputy Director, Airports Division. “HMSHost has delivered a fun atmosphere for passengers to enjoy a meal, grab a beverage, and relax.”

Sammy Hagar will donate his proceeds from this restaurant through the Hagar Family Foundation to benefit local children’s charity HUGS (Help, Understanding & Group Support).

HMSHost has also expanded access to premium fresh food for Ewa Terminal travelers with a gourmet marketplace called Makai Plantation. Makai Planation gets its name from the Hawaiian term for ‘towards the sea’ as it is located on the seaward side of the airport, while also paying homage to Hawaii’s history of pineapple and sugar cane cash crop farms that dominated its 19th and 20th century economy. With sit-down, bar, and fast casual dining options available, Makai Plantation offers a range of locally sourced and inspired dishes including Market Style Ahi Poke, Furikake Crusted Ahi Salad, and Char Siu Chicken Bahn Mi. There are even fresh local specialty rolls, maki, and nigiri/sashimi from a made to order sushi bar.

HMSHost’s marketplace concept, Le'ahi Plantation, is scheduled to open later next year in the Diamond Head Concourse Terminal.

Click here for a complete list of HMSHost restaurant offerings in Honolulu, including popular spots like Umaizushi, PGA TOUR Grill, and The Local @ HNL.