Nuka

A key to the success for this small yet extremely popular sushi bar and restaurant in rural Haiku is the array of quality items on the menu combined with the mastery of sushi maker Hiro Takanashi and his chefs. Hiro is a bit of a local legend when it comes to Maui sushi making. Having teamed up with the owners of the popular Paia Fish Market, Nuka uses prime selections of fresh caught fish from which to create artful and tasteful creations that could easily have been served up to you at a fancy rooftop sushi bar in downtown Tokyo.

At a Glance:
Cuisine: Traditional Japanese/sushi
Price: $$/$$$
Location: Haiku, Maui
Hours: 4:30 10:00 pm daily
Environment/Dcor: Zen Japanese dcor, with simple table, and sushi bar seating.  Can get loud when it gets crowded, resembling a city sushi bar scene.  Reservations by phone are recommended, or come in early for easy seating.

Nuka is not close the resorts, it is in fact on the North Shore in the quaint town of Haiku. Formerly a pineapple plantation area now host to rural estates, and the closest outpost of civilization to the wilder parts of the Hana Highway. Once you have found Nuka, prepare to sit down for high quality Japanese cuisine. Though the menu is very sushi-centric, there are cooked fish dishes as well as noodles and soups for those interested in warmer plates.

A cocktail bar compliments the menu, serving up mixed drinks, as well as premium sakis and beers. Nuka has grown very popular and recommendations are recommended, however if you are in the area or traveling back from the Hana Highway adventure, stop in close to the 5 o'clock hour and you will most likely be able to secure unreserved seating.

Our Staff's Pics:
The rainbow roll is a vibrant and explosively flavorful sushi experience, as well as the Hawaiian and Haleakala rolls which are restaurant specialty rolls, The signature dish called the Nuka Bowl is a great cooked meal option with several choices from tofu to chicken to fish for inclusion into the mix.

Contacts:
Ph: 808-575-2939
Website: http://www.nukamaui.com/

Address:
780 Haiku Road
Haiku, Maui
(adjacent to the Haiku Post Office)

Parking Tip:
Best to park on the left side of the building as the right side is post office parking only. The left side parking lot expands along and behind the adjacent business center, which has mostly day businesses.