Kuulei Akuna

Little Plum | Lady Elaine - Honolulu, HI

Born and raised on the beautiful island of Oahu, Hawaii – Kuulei Akuna has spent the last 16 years dedicated to the art of hospitality. Her passion for curating memorable experiences has led her to hold a wide array of positions and pushed her to evolve as a bartender, leader, and hospitalitarian.

Akuna’s desire to create comfort and belonging for every guest that she serves is fundamental to her style of hospitality. Each visit is not just about food and drink but about building community and creating lasting memories. This desire has pushed her to extend her knowledge into other realms such as becoming a certified sommelier, allowing Akuna to hone her skills and knowledge in the world of wine and serving as a tool for enhancing the dining experiences of her guests. Her journey through the hospitality landscape has included bar and management roles at renowned establishments such as Livestock Tavern, Pint and Jigger, The Ritz Carlton Residences Waikiki, and an opening ownership role in Wild Orange.

Today, Kuulei Akuna proudly stands as an Owner, Operating Partner and the Director of Bar Operations for Lovers + Fighters Incorporated, a hospitality collective located in Manoa Valley. Her and her partners operate two restaurants, Little Plum and Lady Elaine, alongside a wine shop, Uncle Paul’s Corner Store. Their hope is to contribute to Hawaii’s hospitality industry through culture, education, passion and the genuine joy of serving others.