In this episode of Where Hawaii Eats, host Anne Lee sits down with Dave “DK” Kodama, owner and operator of DK Restaurants, to enjoy a variety of dishes featured at his different restaurants. She then heads to 3660 On the Rise in Kaimuki with special guest, Stanford Carr, President of Stanford Carr Development LLC, to hear his background and how he got to where he is today.
Local boy from Aiea, O’ahu, Dave “DK” Kodama opened his first Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar in Kapalua, Maui. Saying he has “come a long way, baby,” would be the ultimate understatement. DK now owns and operates six restaurants on three islands. In May 2000, Kodama opened his second Sansei at Honolulu’s Restaurant Row and in April 2002, the third location of the wildly popular concept was opened in Kīhei, Maui. In September 2004, D.K. took another giant leap when he moved the Restaurant Row Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar to the beautiful Waikīkī Beach Marriott Resort & Spa and added d.k Steak House at the same location. In July 2004 he teamed with Master Sommelier Chuck Furuya to open VINO Italian Tapas & Wine Bar at Restaurant Row. In February 2008, Hawai‘i Islanders got the Sansei they’d been craving at Queen’s MarketPlace in beautiful Waikoloa. Like the others, it was an instant hit. For more information on DK Restaurants, visit dkrestaurants.com
Stanford Carr is president of Stanford Carr Development, LLC (SCD) where he oversees an extensive portfolio of projects ranging from master-planned communities to resort-style living to affordable housing. Stanford is known for building communities on a foundation of family living, the spirit of the islands and respect for the land. Since 1990, SCD has completed over 6000 homes and is responsible for some of the most recognizable residential communities in Hawaii, including The Hawai’i Kai Peninsula, Kehalani Masterplan Community on Maui, Iwalani, Waikoloa Colony Villas, Wailea Fairway Villas, Keauhou Place, Hawaii’s first Mixed Use Transit Oriented Development and many more. Stanford’s projects have earned numerous national, western national, and local awards. For more information on Stanford Carr Development, visit stanfordcarr.com
