The calabrese pizza is made with spicy Italian sausage, house-made mozzarella and Maui Surfing Goat cheese. PHOTOS BY RYAN SIPHERS PHOTOGRAPHY.

KAANAPALI – The Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas has several new menu offerings at the award-winning Pulehu, an Italian Grill.

To kick off the new menu, the restaurant is offering 50 percent off food for kama’aina on Fridays and Saturdays throughout the month of September.

Drawing inspiration from his Italian upbringing, the restaurant’s chef de cuisine, Jesse Pita, incorporates favorite childhood foods such as handmade pastas and cheeses.

Joining the restaurant’s classic dishes are items such as pan fried gnocchi Genovese; calabrese pizza with spicy Italian sausage, house-made mozzarella and Maui Surfing Goat cheese; savory veal ossobucco with creamy polenta; decadent lobster risotto made with roasted tomato, saffron and parmesan; and hearty, made-from-scratch lasagna served in a cast iron skillet.

For dessert, Chef Jesse has crafted a divine (gluten-free) chocolate almond olive oil cake that is paired with Maui-made cherry gelato.

For dessert, enjoy the gluten-free chocolate almond olive oil cake paired with Maui-made cherry gelato.

“The new menu brings rustic Italian tradition and fresh local ingredients together, enhancing the wood-stone fired pizzas, house-made pastas and exceptional wine that Pulehu is already known for,” said Brandon Maeda, the resort’s director of food and beverage.

“We look forward to sharing the new menu with our local community, and as a thank-you for your support, we’re excited to offer a great kama’aina discount in September.”

On Fridays and Saturdays in September, Hawaii residents and U.S. military with valid I.D. will receive 50 percent off food.

Pulehu, an Italian Grill is open for dinner Thursday through Sunday from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. For reservations, visit pulehurestaurantmaui.com or call 667-3254.

Chef de Cuisine Jesse Pita draws inspiration from his Italian upbringing.