Sonic Drive-In to open in Kahului on Monday | News, Sports, Jobs

March 2024 · 3 minute read

A rendering shows the future outdoor seating area of Hawaii’s first Sonic Drive-In, which will open in Kahului on Monday. Rendering courtesy Sonic

Debuting a teriyaki burger in addition to its classic offerings of limeades and cheeseburgers, Sonic Dive-In will open its Kahului restaurant on Monday, the company’s first location in the state of Hawaii.

Sonic will host a grand opening ceremony starting at 10 a.m., with remarks by the Hawaii team and local Maui representatives as well as a blessing and a ribbon cutting led by local cultural adviser Kapono Kamaunu. The restaurant will then open to customers at 11 a.m.

“We’re very grateful for the opportunity to bring the SONIC experience to Maui with the opening of the brand’s first Hawai’i location,” Edwin Prather, managing member of Sonic Drive-In Hawaii, said in a news release. “A visit to SONIC is a unique and special experience and we brought that same level of uniqueness to the Maui drive-in, ensuring this location represents the culture and the beauty of our island. From the building’s architecture, independent local ownership, and the staff that serve our guests — each element proudly reflects the local community.”

Known for the carhops who bring food to customers in their vehicles, Sonic’s menu ranges from burgers to chicken tenders to hot dogs, along with sides like tater tots and chili cheese fries and drinks like its famous limeades.

As part of the opening, Sonic will debut its new teriyaki burger, which was developed exclusively for the Maui drive-in in partnership with Aloha Shoyu Company, according to the news release.

The new restaurant also features custom murals by Hilo artist Kristie Fujiyama Kosmides.

The Maui branch will employ more than 100 full- and part-time team members. It’s the first of several locations that Sonic is planning for Hawaii in the coming years.

To mark Sonic’s opening on Maui, the Sonic Foundation will make a $40,000 donation to fund the needs of Maui public school teachers through the brand’s longtime nonprofit partner, DonorsChoose, a platform that allows individuals to donate directly to public school classroom requests. Sonic also donates a portion of all drink, slush and shake sales to local public education through its Limeades for Learning initiative.

A rendering shows the future outdoor seating area of Hawaii’s first Sonic Drive-In, which will open in Kahului on Monday. Rendering courtesy Sonic

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