Our Master Sommelier
About Chuck Furuya
Chuck Furuya first began working in restaurants while attending college as a way to earn extra income. Wine and food quickly became his passion so he pursued work at some of Hawaii's most highly-regarded establishments, including Bagwell's 2424 in the Hyatt Regency Waikiki and La Mer at the Halekulani. He also served as cellarmaster at the former Kahala Hilton.
Wine service and education led him on the path to certification as Master Sommelier. In 1988, while working at Bagwell's, Chuck became only the 10th person in the United States – and the only person in Hawaii – to pass the rigorous Master Sommelier examination.
Today he can be found at Vino, a charming, casual, Honolulu bistro he started with restaurateur D.K. Kodama.
Hawaii’s first Master Sommelier works with us
A noted expert on pairing wines with Pacific Rim cuisine, Chuck continues to collaborate with some of the finest chefs in the world while he brings his expertise to our guests as the official Hawaiian Airlines sommelier. We’re proud to have him on board.