Sheldon Simeon & Brandon Lee
Simeon is best known for competing on the TV show “Top Chef,” winning the “fan favorite” title twice. But Simeon came from humble roots. He was born and raised in small town Hilo on a guava farm. His grandparents were immigrants from the Philippines who worked on the plantations. So he understands the unique, local food perspectives he learned here is what makes his cuisine so special around the world.
Lee owns Kaunamano Farms. He’s made a mission out of raising a royal herd of pigs – happy, healthy, macadamia nut-fed pigs, suitable in theory for King Kamehameha the Great. Similar to Berkshire pigs, he’s creating a local pork in Hilo with a distinctive, premium flavor. He works hand-in-hand with local chefs like Simeon, and supplies pork to select restaurants throughout the islands. The two are as local and 808 as it gets. Their passion for homegrown, sustainable food is evident when they talk, but even clearer when they cook.

"So, if you look at the recipes here in Hawaii, they’re based off traditions 100 plus years ago, but in its own style.” ~ Sheldon Simeon
Tell us about what makes locally grown food so special.
Sheldon: Being in Hawaii with the best climate in the world gives us the opportunity to grow the best ingredients in the world, and right at our fingertips. I love having the volcanic soil, people geeking out about growing the best ulu (breadfruit) or the best taro, and applying these modern techniques to traditional ingredients. That's the way that we elevate things. We'll stay rooted in the recipes, but the better the ingredients that we get, the more we'll elevate the food of Hawaii.
Why are pigs the perfect sustainable food for Hawaii?
Brandon: Cattle, those are big animals. They're not sustainable for Hawaii. Pork is perfectly designed to be the livestock of Hawaii. You feed pigs macadamia nuts, all that flavor, that oiliness that macadamia nuts have, it goes right into your pigs. And then we also grow bananas, and sweet potatoes, and breadfruit, and taro, all fantastic foods for pork. I mean if love comes out when you cook, love definitely comes out when you produce, and when you cultivate.
Sheldon, tell us about your cooking roots.
Sheldon: I was super blessed to be surrounded by food my whole life. My parents were amazing cooks. The Filipino cuisine that I cook is through the lens of Hawaii. The recipes that were from my grandparents were based off of their memory of their short time that they lived in the Philippines. And that’s true of a lot of all these other families who came to work on the plantation fields when they were all still teenagers. It kinda all blended together to create this sub-recipe of what the traditional recipes were. But the recipes that they’re trying to recreate? They’re as traditional as it gets.
How are you modeling your farm after the ahupuaa system?
Brandon: People are always about 100% sustainability. How are we ever gonna get there? Well, we already were at one point because we had no other option. The ahupuaa system was a giant rotational system that worked from mountain to the ocean. It was a sustainability system that made life possible in Hawaii. And not just possible, they thrived. It made it possible for Hawaiians to live symbiotically with the land for a thousand years on the most isolated land mass in the world. If we didn’t run away from the ahupuaa system 200 years ago, it would be an amazing, developed hybrid by now.
What do you love about local-style potlucks?
Sheldon: When somebody invites me to a potluck, I feel it's an honor, and I wanna bring the best dish that I can prepare for that moment. Each crowd is different. I try to create dishes for whoever the audience that I'm going for. When you’re surrounded by your friends and chef colleagues, it's always a moment to experiment with something. And I love to see what other chefs are bringing to the table.
“In order to be sustainable, you have to work together.” ~ Brandon Lee
What makes local cuisine so unique?
Brandon: We’re using all those fantastic techniques of Europe, but all the flavors of the Pacific Rim. So, you get this delicious mishmash of all kinds of stuff.Sheldon: How lucky are we that we can have Chinese, Korean, Filipino, Hawaiian, Portuguese, and still call it one cuisine, and that still be a part of what we are? It's a place where it should be an example to the rest of the country of how all these cultures seamlessly blended together, and live amongst each other, and create a happy unity. And I think a lot of chefs are going back to those roots, and being proud about what we have here in Hawaii.

Browse Hawaii Adventures
The Newest Big Island Zipline Tour- Cascading nearly 250 ft., one of the World's most spectacular waterfalls passes under your feet as you glide effortlessly through the air.
As America’s original and most award-winning zipline company, Skyline Hawaii has hosted thousands of eye-opening and memory-making eco-adventures from thrilling zipline tours over 250-foot waterfalls, to sunrises near Haleakalā’s peak to the illuminating Road to Hana tour.
If you can dream it, we can do it. Paradise Helicopters offers you the opportunity to create memories that will last a lifetime while here in the islands. See volcanoes, waterfalls & more on our helicopter tours, exclusive landings and custom charters departing from Kona, Hilo and Turtle Bay Resort.
Immerse yourself in the beauty and wonder of Hawaii’s marine life at Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii. Encounter schooling reef fish, sharks, stingrays, turtles, and experience the world's first virtual encounter with Hawaii's humpback whales in the Humpbacks of Hawaii Exhibit & 3D Sphere.
Hawaiian Paddle Sports offers authentic, sustainable eco-tours that empower guests to discover a deeper appreciation of and connection to Hawaii’s marine environment. Guests can choose from private kayak, outrigger canoe, canoe surfing, whale watch, and snorkel tours, or take SUP or surf lessons.
Best way to experience Hawaii, hands down. We are a group of high energy, exciting young locals that want you to get the best photos on your vacation. With over 2000 five star reviews, you don't want to miss out! Digital camera, Phone, Drone, or film camera. Guaranteed to capture amazing images!
Guided by the Aloha Spirit, we strive to perpetuate the Hawaiian culture and people by creating an unforgettable journey filled with breathtaking scenery and local experiences.
Explore Oahu from the rainforest with our professional nature guides while, Hiking, Biking, Kayaking, Sailing and Snorkeling. Exclusive access to remote Hawaiian rainforest. Delicious meals and transportation from Waikiki included.
Maui's oldest family-owned and operated sailing company celebrating 45 years of Ocean Adventures with Island Hospitality. Daily sailing trips to Lanai or Molokini. Scuba. Snorkel. BBQ. Tour.
Atlantis Submarines offers a one-of-a-kind underwater experience off the shorelines of Oahu, Maui, and Hawaii Island, giving guests a close-up view of an array of marine life, exotic tropical reefs and numerous sunken vessels. It's like swimming in a giant aquarium, but staying dry the whole time!