President & CEO of AMP Restaurants Ltd.

Aaron Placourakis has embodied the true meaning of hospitality with a lifetime of serving people. For more than 40 years he has brought to life a variety of restaurants across multiple cuisines, created thousands of generations of restaurant careers, and has exemplified the top-down philosophy of treating his guests like family.

Aaron moved to Oahu in 1985 as managing partner of Harman-Nickolas Restaurant Group to open Nicholas Nickolas, later becoming Aaron’s Atop the Ala Moana, which he operated for 25 years. He is currently President and CEO of AMP Restaurants Ltd. which owns four of Maui’s leading restaurants: Nick’s Fishmarket, Son’z Steakhouse, Manoli’s Pizza Company, and Koho’s Bar & Grill.

Aaron is an active community member and enjoys sharing culinary business know-how in Island schools and UH Maui Culinary Academy and supports multiple local clubs and kids programs.

Family has always been important to Aaron, having raised five beautiful children.

Along with his passionate staff, Aaron’s dedication to hospitality and the food and beverage industry has translated into being recognized with top industry awards.

Personal achievement highlights:

• Hawaii Restaurant Association: Chair
• Hawaii Food Bank: Board Member
• Maui Hotel & Lodging Assn: Board Member
• Letter of Proclamation for fundraising efforts for St. Francis Hospice Care from The Mayor of Honolulu (Frank Fasi), The Governor of Hawaii (John Waihee) and our US Senator (Daniel Akaka), 1992
• Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the year finalist, 1999
• National Restaurant Association - Dedicated service to the restaurant industry, 2000
• Ambassador of the Year, Ka Lima O Maui, 2011
• Lifetime Achievement Award, Maui No Ka Oi Magazine, 2016
• Hawaii Restaurant Association Hall of Fame Inductee 2016

Industry highlights:

• AAA Four Diamond Award (9-time winner)
• Best of Excellence, Wine Spectator (18-time winner)
• Best Overall, Best Service, Best Special Occasion, Best Wine List, Best Steak, Most Romantic Setting, Best Fish & Seafood, Maui No Ka Oi Magazine’s Aipono Awards, 2004 – 2016 (over 20-time winner)
• Restaurant of Distinction, Best New Restaurant, Top Maui Restaurant, Honolulu Magazine’s Hale Aina Award (10-time winner)
• Best Hotel Restaurant, Best New Restaurant, Best Neighbor Island Restaurant, Star-Advertiser’s Ilima Award (5-time winner)
• Top Ten New Restaurants in the United States, Gayot.com, 2006
• Best in Weddings, The Knot, 2010
• Certificate of Excellence, TripAdvisor (multi-year winner)
• Diner’s Choice Award, Open Table (multi-year winner)