Today, we present the winners of the 2002 ‘Ilima Awards, a selection of the best restaurants in Hawai‘i based on a people’s choice ballot, with critics’ choice awards named by food editor Wanda Adams and restaurant critic Matthew Gray. More than 6,000 ballots were received; eligible ballots were tallied by Nishihama & Kishida CPAs Inc. (a blessing on their heads for handling this tough task!).

Proceeds from the ‘Ilima Awards gala on Oct. 14 benefit Diamond Head Theatre. The annual tasting event, the theater’s largest fund-raising venture, is sold out (thank you, Honolulu!).

We tweaked the awards categories this year to streamline them and possibly focus the spotlight on some new places. Categories include Best Restaurant, Best New Restaurant, Best Fine Dining and Best Family or Budget Restaurant (three winners in each), ethnic establishments, hotel restaurants and Neighbor Island categories, and some awards for wine and wine service, coffee, desserts, pupu and drinks, breakfast or brunch and okazu-ya or takeout.

Look for our annual magazine, Hawai‘i’s Best 150 Restaurants, based on ‘Ilima balloting and our critics’ choices, Nov. 17 in The Honolulu Advertiser.

Best Restaurant, Best New Restaurant

Best Fine Dining

Best Family or Budget Restaurant | Best Okazu-Ya or Take-Out

Best Ethnic Restaurants

Best Neighbor Island Restaurants | Best Hotel Restaurants

Best Breakfast or Brunch | Best Desserts

Best Drinks and Pupu | Best Wine List and Service | Best Coffee Bar

Critics' Choices

Legend

VS — Visa
MC — Mastercard
AX — American Express
DC — Diners Club
DS — Discover Card
JCB — JCB Card
Olioli — Olioli Card

$$$ — Pricey, entrees mostly more than $17
$$ — Moderate, entrees mostly $10 to $16
$ — Budget-friendly, entrees mostly less than $10

Credits

Editor/writer: Wanda A. Adams

Contributing: Matthew Gray

Design: Ken Rickard

Photography: Gregory Yamamoto, Bruce Asato

Artwork: Martha Hernandez