Agree completely, tourism and military contract spending. We appreciate all that come and respect both the culture and our island paradise. Each of us is a tourist/visitor when we journey away from our homes.

My point was more that those of us that live here, military and transplants from europe, asia or the mainland, would not generally go to a fine dining restaurant in shorts.

Well Said...

and less well-said - 'Men in shorts in Nice Restaurants - YUCK!!' I don't care if they're Tommy Bahamas or Pradas or Ralph Laurens, or... it just is not a good look in an upscale restaurant. Period.

People who attempt to force others to dress to there liking - YUCK!! How boorish!

Ken in Phx

Hey, just trying to help - dress like a dork for a fine restaurant if you really want to ;)

General consensus on this thread is that shorts really aren't acceptable in upscale restaurants in Hawaii (or anywhere for that matter!)

Uptight and old fashion is no way to go through life. But it doesnt seem like you've been to a lot of upscale resturants in tropical weather destinations, imo.

Ken in Phx

Looks like we have a heated issue going here on shorts vs. long pants in nice restaurants. I'll keep my own comments to my self on the issue while I issue a short & sweet moderator announcement. :)

Let's all of us remember both our Aloha spirit and the FT Guidelines and Rules. Thoughtful and even spirited discussion is welcome; posts that however unintentionally 'jab' at other posters aren't. So, please discuss keeping this mentality in mind.

This has been a joint announcement by your two moderators.

cblaisd, slippahs
Hawaii forum moderators

Ha, Ha, my husband & American Express bill would beg to differ!

Here's the way I'd personally call it at different restaurants in the Islands...

Oahu

La Mer - Shorts no way, not allowed, forget about it
Alan Wong's - Probably not
Chef Mavro's - definitely not
Mariposa - Lunch, pretty eclectic crowd, so what the heck?, dinner, no
Pineapple Room - See Mariposa
Hanuhanu (?) Room - No way (Well, not gourmet dining, but I'd consider it fine)

Maui

Nick's - no, but people do
Spago - Probably not (but I definitely don't consider this upscale - sad shadow of the original & Beverly hills)
Grand Wailea - Whatever you want, all the restaurants are pretty bad, so who cares?
Mama's - I think this was the best 'more upscale' on the island (getting a little too popular now!), but definitely more casual & on the beach, so why not?
Hailemaile (sp) General Store - Noooo!!!!
Sansei @ Kapalua - Fine dining, not fine amosphere, so go for it!

Not too impressed w/ any Lahaina Restaurants, so I'll leave them out

Hawai'i

Pahui'a - Definitely not
Grill - don't know - I'm dying to check it out, though
Hale Samoa - it's Kona Village Resort, everything's relaxed, so yeah with a caveat - I don't think I saw anyone in shorts there & such a lovely candlelit experience, probably not smiled upon
Canoe House - no (I don't like it anyway)
Brown's - Definitely yes, it's on the beach!
Merriman's - No

Kauai

Anything @ Princeville Hotel - no
Gaylord's - no (you'll get eaten alive by mosquitos!) Sorry, don't even know if it's good anymore, but I remember a lovely evening there in the middle of an old Hawaiian plantation - cool.
That Lagoon Restaurant @ the Hyatt - Yes!!

Lanai

NO!! (Except that great restaurant up at the Manele golf club hanging on that cliff with that incredible view!)

Fiji - Shorts are cool anywhere - even Wakaya Club but, again, that mosquito problem. Wear sulus!

Tahiti - Most places no, European influence

Seychelles - See Tahiti

Bali - Most places yes, Australian influence

Thailand - See Bali, exept in better Bangkok hotels

Mexico - Most anywhere if it's on the beach!

I remember some years ago when the Hyatt Kaua'i opened, they were bound and determined to maintain an evening attire standard after sunset.

The lovely bar (Stevensons) actually had staff posted at the door to turn you away in shorts, similar at Tidepools ("that lagoon resteraunt") and elsewhere on the property.

What was odd, for example, was how few people there were in the bar. No kidding, back in those days to see a half dozen was rare.

These days things have loosened up a lot, no more enforcement at the door, no more big signs demanding "appropriate attire" and you know what else, every seat in the place is filled every night.

Short answer to the OP. IMHO anyplace in Hawai'i which is demanding a jacket & tie is likely going to be so decoupled from the local atmosphere as to make you wonder why you bothered with the 5 hour flight. If your choice is 'suggesting' a dress code, take that as the red flag that it is in go elsewhere.

Aloha,

Lihue1k

Best Resturant in Maui "Nick's Fish Market" also Roy's is wonderful :D

Excellent post! And it gets at the heart of what I've tried to express in a few earlier posts. Hawaii to me is all about relaxation and a laid-back atmosphere.
There are places for a dress code and/or to wear a sport coat, suit or tux depending on the circumstances. But none of those places belong, IMO, in Hawaii.
Now I'm not suggesting that you walk into the Ritz-Carlton for dinner wearing a wife-beater, cutoffs and rubber flip flops. But I'm also not going to judge you if you do so.
I'm more concerned about my fellow diner's behavior in a fine restaurant than I am in what they're wearing. If the guy at the next table is loudly blabbing on his cell phone, letting his young kids run amuck throughout the restaurant or loudly arguing with his wife, I don't care if he's wearing a top hat and tails. That ruins the ambience in a restaurant a lot faster than someone wearing shorts and an aloha shirt.

While not on Maui, La Mer at the Halekulani requires men to wear a long sleeved collared shirt or jacket.

Wailea Restaurants
 

I will be getting married on a beach in Mekena this October, I am looking for places to have a dinner for 9. I have it down to these restaurants in Wailea:

1. Capische
2. Spago
3. Seawatch
4. Longhi
5. Nicks Fishmarket
6. Ferraros

Most of us are NOT huge seafood fans, so 3-4 'land' choices are a must. The ceremony will be held at sunset so it will be dark by the time we are ready to eat.

Ferraros
 

I love Ferraros. That place is so beautiful, or you may want to have dinner on the beach. A lot of the resorts will set up a romantic candlelit dinner on the sand for you. This can be costly, but if you're going to eat in Wailea, you'll be shelling out dough anyways.

I've stayed many times in Kihei or the edge of Wailea with the kids of tow of course but every evening we would walk on the path between the beach and the fancy hotels in Wailea and saw many had a few tables set up at sunset just above the beach. Honestly from the beach side it was hard to tell which major resort was which but you could certainly call and ask. I can't imagine anything more romantic than a couple of isolated tables for two at sunset that could compare with any restuarant. I've also been to Maui many times and stayed in many places and Wailea is certainly the most peaceful and weather favorable section.

Good luck.
msv

If you haven't had fresh Hawaiian fish then you haven't had seafood! IMHO, Nick's at the Fairmont Kea Lani is without a doubt the best restaurant on your list. Fantastic service and food plus several meat and poultry options along with their outstanding local fish selections.