New Food & Beverage Leadership Team at Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel

Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel property shot. Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel photo.

Hapuna Prince Beach Hotel’s culinary team has undergone changes with new appointments in the hotel’s culinary staffing.

Peter Abarcar Jr. will oversee the culinary department as the director of culinary and beverage operations. Marla Dun is joining the team as director of restaurants. Meanwhile, Michael Quanan was promoted to executive sous chef, and Moses “Moki” Tavares joined is serving as chef de cuisine at Coast Grille.

Abarcar Jr. was named “2015 Chef of the Year” by the American Culinary Federation Kona-Kohala Chefs Association. He began cooking in 1997 as Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel as lead cook. He later spent eight years as the executive chef at The Club at Hokulia before returning to Mauna Kea Resort as sous chef at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. He was promoted to chef de cuisine at Hapuna’s Coast Grill before being named the hotel’s executive chef in 2011.

As director of culinary and beverage operations, Abarcar Jr. will oversee the entire food and beverage department including Coast Grille, Ocean Terrace, The Beach Bar, Let’s Go Crabbing Buffet, banquets, and room service.

Dunn will manage Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel’s food and beverage operations with a focus on service, staff, and guest experience in her role as director of restaurants. She hails from Bakersfield, Calif. with 20 years of service in the hospitality industry.

In previous roles, Dunn has worked for Starwood Hotel & Resorts, Fairmont Orchid, Westin Maui Resort & Spa, and Aulani A Disney Resort & Spa.

Quanan will report Abarcar Jr. in his new role as executive sous chef. He will manage the culinary team and be responsible for the product purchasing and menu pricing and development.

First starting his career at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Quanan has held positions at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, Hokulia, Nanea, and Suisan. In 2012, he returned to Mauna Kea Resort as Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel’s storeroom manager and buyer. In 2015, he was promoted to purchasing manager.

Tavares will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations in the kitchen at Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel’s Coast Grille. He will also utilize the onsite Coast Grille garden and manage the Locavore dinner series.

Most recently, Tavares has worked at Café Pesto, but he also has experience at the Canoe House and Le Soliel.