Mari Howe

Tikehau Lounge - Wailea, HI

Born and raised in Hawaii, Mari Howe discovered her passion for hospitality early, working in food and beverage starting at age 16. She later attended Arizona State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in communications while honing her bartending skills in restaurants and bars in Phoenix.

After college, Mari flourished in Phoenix’s cocktail scene, there she mastered craft techniques—from house-made syrups to spirit infusions.  Returning to Maui in 2016, she was able to implement new techniques with fresh locally grown ingredients, bartending at the Mill House at the Maui Tropical Plantation. She then went on to manage the Bar at Pacifico on the Beach, a restaurant known for its hyper-local, farm-driven ethos. She continued her bar education joining the USBG (United States Bartenders Guild) in 2014, and is currently on the board for the USBG Maui Guild.

Mari is currently the Bar Manager at Tikehau Lounge in Wailea which recently won Gold at the 2025 Aipono Awards for both best Craft Cocktails and Best Bar on Maui.

Mari believes in the power of presentation—“people drink with their eyes co first”—and infuses that into every drink she creates. She emphasizes community-focused sourcing, local storytelling, and technique. Her creative direction is rooted in family heritage, travel-derived inspiration (especially from Japan), and mentorship—blended seamlessly with Maui’s lush tropical landscape.