Among the many inquiries we receive, it is our name about which we are most often asked. The Hawaiian word hali’i means ‘a covering’ or ‘blanket’. Maile is a native twining shrub with fragrant, shiny leaves. History tells us that this area was once covered in the sweet-smelling vegetation and the moniker, Hali‘imaile, became a part of the oral tradition that describes this lovely hamlet today.

The pineapple boom in the islands in the early part of the last century is mainly responsible for the existence of this historic building. In the 1920’s, camp houses for plantation workers were needed to house the hard-working immigrants that raised the crops that were the engine of island commerce. Construction of the camp store followed under the direction of Maui Agricultural Company’s Pineapple Department and in 1925 the legacy was born. The plantation store was not just for groceries. The original Hali’imaile Store was a butcher shop, fish market, post office, and had departments for clothing and household appliances. This building was the one stop shop for all necessities as well as the place to catch up on news and a depot for local gossip…a tradition we proudly encourage in the present day! The store continued operating over the decades in various formats until late 1987 when all of that changed.

The “store” as it was known became available during Christmas in 1987. Chef Beverly Gannon and her husband Joe Gannon signed a lease and planned to use the location for a gourmet take-out deli, their catering headquarters and a general store. Their take-out deli was an immediate success from the first day it opened its doors. With only a couple of tables set-up, guests started asking “where do we sit”? The requests for seating from guests led Beverly and Joe to add tables and a full-service staff. And that is how Hali’imaile General Store became a restaurant.

In 2022, after more than 3 successful decades Chef Bev made the decision to retire and sell Hali’imaile General Store. It was important for Chef Bev to find the right partner to carry on the legacy she and her husband had built. The extensive search led her to Gather Restaurant Group, a growing family-owned restaurant company with a strong team, positive mission, and a great corporate culture.

Gather Restaurant Group is known for taking pride in their culinary goal of providing fresh, fun dishes that appeal to everyone. Tastebuds aside, they are more than restaurateurs, they bring people together for memories around the table. As leaders in the industry their mission is to reduce their carbon footprint and make a positive impact on the environment and the restaurant industry supply chain by expanding their on-site year-round hydroponic vertical farming. They are also committed to the freshest farm-to-table greens, growing and distributing their own produce and being champions in the communities they serve.