Matt Dela Cruz

Ko Restaurant - Wailea, HI

At the heart of Ko’s new era is Executive Chef Matt Dela Cruz, whose personal, multi-generational connection to Hawaii’s sugarcane era inspires every dish. Born and raised in the town of Kekaha on Kauai, Dela Cruz’s earliest memories revolve around home-cooked meals, shared traditions, and the unique flavors that shaped his upbringing. Matt Dela Cruz brings what he calls “elevated comfort” – blending refined technique with the familiar flavors of local home cooking and sourcing ingredients from Hawaii’s farmers, fishermen, and food producers to create dishes that reflect place and community.