Renaissance master

The Honolulu Star Bulletin has recognised NZ-born restaurateur Dave Stewart as one of ten people who “changed Hawaii” for the better in 2006. Stewart has been a leading figure in the renaissance of Honolulu’s Chinatown, which is gradually shedding its seedy image for a reputation as a night-life hub. Stewart opened his first restaurant – Indigo – in 1994, and has since opened Bar 35 in 2005 and French restaurant Du Vin in October last year. Stewart eschews market research in favour of gut instinct. “Everything I do is for me,” he says, “I wanted a bar that serves pizza and really cold beer, hence Bar 35. And my other thing is I love French food and good wine, so Du Vin was a no-brainer.” Next in Stewart’s sights is nearby Waikiki, which is also in the midst of a major redevelopment.