Chef Bernardo “JR” Oao devoted years to mastering the art of sushi, learning every detail of kitchen work, and steadily climbing the ranks through discipline, curiosity, and determination.In January 2022, JR opened his own food truck and in just a few short months, that dream expanded into his first brick-and-mortar restaurant in Wailea, which opened its doors in November 2022. Building on this momentum, Chef JR continued to grow. He launched his second restaurant, Oao Sushi Go, in Kahului—bringing fast, high-quality sushi to the heart of Maui and expanding his vision for accessible, elevated Japanese cuisine.Now, with the opening of Hachi By Oao, JR marks the next evolution of his culinary journey. Hachi represents his deepest commitment to the craft: a return to traditional Japanese sushi with a focus on pristine ingredients, and refined technique. Here, guests experience sushi as Chef JR believes it should be—intentional, elegant, and crafted with heart.
