Papi’s Ohana has develop into a breakfast pilgrimage for locals and guests alike, due to its “King David” cinnamon rolls.
When does a cinnamon roll develop into a sacrament? A sacrament that will get you off the bed earlier than dawn—and has you standing in line for over an hour, no much less? The reply: when it comes out of the ovens at Papi’s Ohana.
Papi’s Ohana is a hole-in-the-wall bakery by day and pizzeria by night time, owned by religious bakers and Christians David and Linda Escobar. Situated on the principle drag of Honokōwai, a small city simply north of Kā‘anapali Seaside, Papi’s Ohana is a breakfast pilgrimage for locals and guests alike, due to its “King David” cinnamon rolls—a luxurious creation that takes three days to make and beckons salivating patrons like a pastor summoning their congregation to Sunday church. With its flaky, buttery lamination and a circumference roughly the scale of your head, it’s effectively definitely worth the $10 price ticket.
Papi’s Ohana went by many iterations earlier than discovering its brick-and-mortar residence on Maui’s west facet. It started as a humble front room ministry on Wednesday nights for prayer, pastries and fellowship. Then got here the concept of a meals truck. Then a beachside property in Kīhei. However an opportunity encounter with a industrial realtor—and a calling to serve the individuals of Lahaina—motivated David Escobar, a former pastry chef at Grand Wailea, to maneuver his household and plant roots on the West Aspect. The chance paid off. Papi’s Ohana opened in July 2022 and was an in a single day success.
“It was a blessing,” David Escobar mentioned. “As a lot as I used to be dreading the drive [to Lahaina], I felt like God wished me right here.”
However simply after the bakery’s first anniversary, the Escobars’ celebration darkened with catastrophe when Lahaina was struck by wildfires on Aug. 8, 2023. Escobar knew he wanted to be along with his newfound group. The day after the fireplace, he and his crew snuck by police barricades to the bakery. He mentioned there have been individuals dwelling within the car parking zone, strolling round in shock. Regardless of having no electrical energy, Escobar fired up the gasoline oven and started working. That day, Papi’s Ohana served 150 cinnamon rolls.
“We had all these youngsters coming in,” he mentioned. “I imply, everyone began smelling it. And this entire factor was packed out. And all of us held palms and began crying with one another and hugging.”
Co-owner David Escobar calls Papi’s Ohana his ministry.
Immediately, when the bakery opens at 7 a.m., the road already stretches throughout the car parking zone, curling alongside Decrease Honoapiʻilani Street, at the very least 75 individuals deep. Think about it your penance. However don’t be deterred—your saccharine salvation is definitely worth the hour-and-a-half wait. Simply be sure you get in line by 9 a.m., otherwise you danger being turned away. Papi’s Ohana often sells out of cinnamon rolls by 10 a.m. On my final go to, the primary individual in line mentioned he queued up at 5:25 a.m. He was out the door along with his buns by 7:10 a.m.
As soon as contained in the cinnamon roll sanctuary, you’re hit with the candy, yeasty aroma of a correct bake store. Alongside its signature rolls are mango-flavored scones dripping with coconut glaze and savory croissants full of Spam, jalapeño and Swiss cheese. Linda Escobar greets friends with a heat smile behind the money register, whereas her husband stands at his pastry pulpit, slathering cream cheese frosting—and blessings—onto every cinnamon roll. Fashionable Christian worship music performs by the audio system.
David Escobar calls the bakery his ministry. Whether or not he’s serving a gluten-free visitor sneaking a couple of bites of pizza, a hoard of native keiki chanting “CIN-NA-MON ROLLS!” to their mother and father’ dismay, or a person who claims Escobar’s smile modified his life, Papi’s Ohana presents a particular sort of service for anybody who walks by its doorways. You don’t need to be a believer to eat at Papi’s—however you higher imagine it delivers a chunk you’ll always remember.
Papi’s Ohana, Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 7 a.m. till bought out.
Pizzeria: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 5–9 p.m., Closed Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, (808) 868-2000, 3481 Decrease Honoapiʻilani Street, #B102, Lahaina, HI 96761.
