First taste: Sam's Kitchen

Welcome to Sam’s Kitchen

By Melissa Chang
Special to Metromix

About five months ago, a free-standing kiosk across DFS Galleria in Waikiki fired up its grill and started turning out some unreal grinds. Due to its convenient location, nice service and late hours, it’s become a popular spot for people who work in Waikiki — most of whom don’t even know that the cool, friendly tall dude on the grill is actually a celebrity in Japan.

Meet Sam Monaghan, who has a long list of accomplishments, but is best known for being the co-host of the Japanese travel show "Aloha Tengoku" for the last eight years. Born in the Bahamas, but raised in Japan by way of Samoa, the 32-year-old is fluent in Japanese and has used this skill to also write for Japan Airlines, and most recently, sail with the escort crew for the Hokule'a.

Sam's Kitchen
333 Royal Hawaiian Ave.
808-271-0010