Sam Choy to develop student dining at Aloha Tower

Hawaii Pacific University (HPU) today announced a partnership with Hawaii’s famed local chef, Sam Choy, who will help develop the university’s newest student dining facility at its Aloha Tower Marketplace location. HPU is the first university in the state of Hawaii to highlight Hawaii Regional Cuisine, as popularized by Chef Choy, and infuse it into the design of both a menu and student dining space.

“HPU is actively changing the student experience in our downtown community, and I am honored to be a part of a project for Honolulu’s next generation of leaders as well as to participate in the revitalization of the historic Aloha Tower Marketplace,” said Chef Sam Choy. “Food brings people together, and this prime location will welcome students, other members of our island community and visitors from around the world to experience the comforts of Pacific inspired cuisine in an exquisite gathering place.”

“The HPU ohana warmly welcomes Chef Choy and his culinary mastery to further provide unique, landmark services for our students,” said John Gotanda, President of HPU. “Visitors to the campus, who will be welcome to dine in the facility, will accentuate the diverse student experience HPU is known for.”

Though the student dining facility has yet to be named, Chef Sam Choy will be at the helm of that decision as well as crafting the menu and assisting with the selection of food items and vendors. Chef Choy will also assist with space planning, design details, and selecting the management team to handle day-to-day operations of the restaurant. The student dining facility will be located in the last space on the right of the Aloha Tower Marketplace Atrium, providing students and visitors yet another waterfront dining option in the mixed-use commercial residential and commercial center.

Chef Sam Choy has been creating cuisine with fresh, local island ingredients since he was a boy learning to cook alongside his parents. Sourcing and cooking with the traditional foods of Hawaii, Chef Choy’s native intelligence and culinary creativity have led him to co-create and popularize Hawaii Regional Cuisine around the globe.

Nearly 270 HPU students live in waterfront lofts on the second floor of the Aloha Tower Marketplace. On the ground floor, students currently have access to HPU facilities including the Learning Commons, Faculty-Student Lounge, and multi-purpose rooms; HPU offices such as Welcome Center, Student Life, Waterfront Lofts Housing, Student Government Association, and Campus Activities Board; and various retail and dining options. Living at the Waterfront Lofts also provides easy access to many amenities, activities, and public transportation in downtown Honolulu.

Founded in 1965, Hawaii Pacific University has grown to become the state’s leading private, non-profit university, with a student population of nearly 5,000 undergraduate and graduate students from all 50 states and nearly 65 countries around the world. It has campuses in downtown Honolulu, Kāneohe, and Makapuu, and on military bases around Oahu. The Wall Street Journal, the Chronicle of Higher Education, and USA Today have each named HPU among the most diverse private universities in the nation. www.HPU.edu