Partners Wilson Vera Contreras and Gabrielle Vasile recently opened Miss Arepa at the 5A Retail Center in Honokowai.

HONOKOWAI — The eclectic mix of our island food scene has been enriched with the recent addition of the authentic taste of Venezuela at Miss Arepa in Honokowai.

Partners Wilson Vera Contreras and Gabrielle Vasile opened the doors of their smart kitchen at 3600 Lower Honoapiilani Road two months ago in the busy 5A Retail Center.

“Reminiscent of our rich Spanish, Western African and Latin American heritage, the menu is a pleasurable recall of my mother’s traditional culinary expertise,” Contreras, the Native Venezuelan, boasted.

“We want to share a variety of the culturally diverse tastes of Venezuela,” Gabrielle advised, “featuring the arepa.”

The arepa is one of the most popular pre-Hispanic foods still on the table breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout the country and across all socio-economic groups.

The versatile cornmeal cake is made from ground corn dough or precooked corn flour. Resembling an English muffin or pita, the arepa is filled with surprising flavors. The number of savory options is a testament to the Miss Arepa imagination, with selections made to pique the taste buds in every bite.

Some of the arepa on the menu include the Reina Pepiada, shredded chicken mixed with avocado; Domino, black beans and shredded cheese; Rompe colchon (Break the Mattress), mixed seafood in garlic and tomato; Pescado, mahi mahi shredded, garlic, onion and tomato; and Carne Asada, juicy grilled steak and homemade chimichurri.

The Pabellon Bowls are popular choices referred to as “meal perfection.” The base is white rice, black bean queso fresco (or coconut cheese) and fried sweet plantains.

“Build your own bowl” is the challenge when ordering this national dish with so many house proteins available.

Other cultural plates not to be overlooked are the Cachapa, Venezuelan pancake filled with fresh mozzarella or plant-based cheese. The Patacon Sandwich is a lettuce, tomato, avocado, fresh mozzarella mouth-watering offering placed between two crispy fried plantains.

Yuca Fries come highly recommended. Crunchy on the outside, creamy on the inside, it is served with a heaping portion of fresh homemade Venezuelan Salsa.

The dishes pair perfectly with tropical non-alcoholic specialties guaranteed to tantalize the thirstiest patron on a hot Hawaiian day.

Gabrielle and Wilson have embraced the street-casual, quick-serve concept of Venezuelan dining at its best. It’s fresh, clean and tastefully tempting.

The facility seats 21 total, inside and out. It is open for lunch and dinner from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The prices reasonably range from $3 to $16.

For more information, visit www.missarepamaui.com, call (808) 793-0074 or stop by for the newest taste on Maui at the first Venezuelan restaurant on the island at the 5A Retail Center in Honokowai. They’re open seven days a week.