West Maui restaurant battles high surf after surviving wildfires, floods

LAHAINA (HawaiiNewsNow) – A Front Street restaurant that survived the 2023 wildfires and March floods is now dealing with threats from high surf.

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Honu Oceanside was forced to close and cancel all reservations on Sunday after powerful waves flooded the restaurant around 3:30 p.m. before opening time.

Waves crashed against the dining room area as the swell increased.

“Slowly comes in as the tide rises, the waves were getting bigger, the energy of the ocean was pulsing. I think that was kind of the peak of the swell,” said Justin Newman, operating partner at Honu Oceanside.

The restaurant is trying to prevent another closure using barriers, pool noodles and tarps.

“We do as much as we can to MacGyver mitigating the water, but nature versus nurture, nature’s always going to win,” Newman said.

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This is not the first time high surf has impacted the restaurant. In the summer of 2022, a large wave pushed through a rock wall and flooded the restaurant. The dining room floors were completely wiped out, forcing a closure of about a week.

“It never feels great, but we’re kind of used to it and we just prepare the best we can,” said Newman.

Newman said they plan to open at 6 p.m. on Monday after high tide, as long as the waves stay out of the dining room area.

They are booked for Monday evening but hope to get some support for the rest of the week.

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“Lahaina needs you, so come on down and help,” Newman said.