One of the founders of Hawaiian Regional Cuisine, Chef-owner Mark Ellman has a family of restaurants, almost literally. While he learned his trade in California and later Colorado, Ellman's Hawaii life began with the well-regarded Avalon Restaurant and Bar on Maui, which opened in 1987. Today, Ellman, his wife, and his three daughters have been on Maui for a quarter of a century, and operate Mala Ocean Tavern and Honu Seafood & Pizza. But Ellman's name has also been attached to projects on the mainland, most notably chain restaurant Maui Tacos, which he sold in 2008.