Luana Hospitality Group Promotes Jose A. Fuentes to President and Chef Ken Schloss to Vice President

Hawaii Island, HI (February 21, 2023) ­– Luana Hospitality Group is excited to announce the promotions of two senior executives—Jose Fuentes to President and Chef Ken Schloss to Vice President.

“My partner Eric and I are so thrilled to appoint both Jose and Ken to these key positions,” noted Luana Hospitality Group Principal Scott Dodd. “This dynamic duo will assist in strategic planning for the future and help overall management of all aspects of Luana Hospitality Group in 2023 and beyond, while actively overseeing five director level managers, 40 restaurant managers and chefs and 350 line staff throughout our collection of restaurants. We are so fortunate to have Jose and Ken as part of our Luana Hospitality Group team.”

Jose Fuentes, Luana Hospitality Group President

Fuentes joined Luana Hospitality Group in 2015, where he oversaw the opening and managed daily operations at the Lava Lava Beach Club on Kauai. During the 2020 pandemic, Luana Hospitality Group relocated Fuentes to Kona, where he excelled in managing the collection of Hawaii Island restaurants including Huggo’s, On the Rocks, KAI Eats + Drinks in Kona and Lava Lava Beach Club in Waikoloa and Kauai. Fuentes is a hospitality and restaurant veteran who has successfully assisted restaurants across the country with reestablishing positive cultural changes and encouraging all staff team management to work towards the same goals.

An interesting career antidote, just after 9/11 in New York City, Jose transitioned his career in finance and secured a server job at one of the city’s hottest restaurants. The job was tough at first but he loved the business and everything about restaurants. Jose took an opportunity to jump into management and a year later he was the general manager at Rosa Mexicano in Lincoln Center, a top 25 restaurant in New York City. Jose never looked back. He also had management positions with New York’s Ruby Foo’s in Times Square and Dos Caminos on Park Avenue prior to Hawaii calling him here. Fuentes holds a Bachelors Degree from the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth and was a recipient of the Hoff Scholarship for academic achievement. 

Chef Ken Schloss, Luana Hospitality Group Vice President

Chef Ken Schloss has been with Luana Hospitality Group for twelve years overseeing menu development for all of the restaurant locations on two islands. His promotion to Luana Hospitality Group Vice President also brings nearly thirty years of culinary experience to the restaurant collection on Kauai and Hawaii Island. This multi-talented chef brings his international cuisine expertise from his career in Napa Valley; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Barbados; Jamaica; and California’s Bodega Bay. During his many years in Napa his culinary inspirations shined at mainstays including Washington Street Restaurant in Yountville. Chef Ken spent ten years at Main Street Bar and Grill where he evolved into an equity position and managing partner and at Napa Valley Wine Train. His culinary program remained in place for over twenty years until the recent ownership change. Schloss, an avid supporter of Hawaii’s farm-to-table culinary movement, has brightened the culinary program at Huggo’s, On the Rocks, Kai Eats + Drinks, and Lava Lava Beach Club Waikoloa and Kauai with local products.

Looking for a great sunset cocktail or a chance to dip your toes in the sand while experiencing island culinary delights? If so, stop by any one of Luana Hospitality Group’s restauants and say hi to Jose and Ken.

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About Luana Hospitality Group

Eric von Platen Luder and Scott Dodd’s Luana Hospitality Group built distinctive culinary experiences into a collection of restaurants that create experiences that encourage guests to celebrate something every day.

With its stunning waterfront location, Huggo’s is Kona’s leading restaurant for just-caught seafood, spectacular sunsets and casual elegance. On the Rocks focuses on lighter fare with sandy toes, live Hawaiian music and daily hula. Lava Lava Beach Club Waikoloa is a fun, beachfront restaurant where visitors dine, drink, celebrate, and revel in laidback luxury. Lava Lava Beach Club Waikoloa is also home to four beachfront cottages, providing all the comforts of a private home, the convenience of a beachfront hotel, and the excitement of a surf shack. Lava Lava Beach Club Kauai crafts island inspired cuisine with oceanfront, sandy toes seating, umbrella drinks and a distinctly Hawaiian vibe at the Kauai Shores Hotel. And Kai Eats + Drinks is that hip, trendy, fun restaurant on Oneo Bay in Historic Kailua Village.

Visit www.luanagroup.com for more information.