NIKUJILLE in Hawaii

On September 2 and 3, 2026, NIKUJILLE had the pleasure of bringing Arita Wagyu to Hawaii for two special evenings dedicated to Japanese Wagyu, exceptional Japanese seafood, and the people who bring outstanding ingredients to the table.

Together with our valued partner, Fresh Island Fish Co., we welcomed chefs, hotel purchasing teams, and hospitality professionals from across Oahu to Thirty Eight Restaurant in Honolulu. Across both evenings, guests had the opportunity to experience Arita Wagyu firsthand, discover different cuts and applications, and explore new possibilities for Japanese Wagyu in the Hawaiian market.

Arita Wagyu, from carcass to plate

One of the highlights across both days was a live Wagyu butchering demonstration led by our Master Wagyu Butcher, Masataka Takana.

Rather than focusing only on the most familiar premium cuts, Masataka demonstrated Japanese cutting techniques and showed how different parts of the carcass can be utilized, including the chuck roll and other cuts beyond the traditional tenderloin, striploin, and ribeye.

For NIKUJILLE, this is an important part of how we approach Japanese Wagyu.

We believe there is significant value throughout the entire carcass. With the right cutting techniques, preparation, and menu development, a much wider range of cuts can become valuable products for chefs and foodservice businesses.

Our goal is not simply to sell Wagyu by the kilogram. It is to help our partners understand the entire carcass and find the best

commercial and culinary applications for each cut.

Japanese Wagyu meets Japanese seafood

The two evenings also brought together two of Japan’s most celebrated food traditions.

Satoru Araki, a Michelin-listed sushi chef, prepared a selection of sushi featuring premium Japanese seafood supplied by Fresh Island Fish Co.

He also created a special Arita Wagyu aburi sushi menu exclusively for the events, combining lightly seared Arita Wagyu with the techniques and presentation of Japanese sushi.

This gave guests the opportunity to experience Arita Wagyu in a completely different format and demonstrated the versatility of Japanese Wagyu beyond conventional steak applications.

The combination of Arita Wagyu and premium Japanese seafood also reflected the strength of the partnership between NIKUJILLE and Fresh Island Fish Co., bringing together complementary Japanese products for Hawaii’s hospitality industry.

More than two evenings of tasting

For NIKUJILLE, these events were about much more than introducing a product.

We believe the strongest international partnerships are built by working together.

That means supporting our customers with more than Wagyu supply. Depending on the market and partner, this can include sales support, marketing, branding, cutting knowledge, menu development, and education around different Wagyu cuts and applications.

The objective is simple: to grow the market together.

By bringing our producers, butchers, chefs, and distribution partners together, we can create new ways for consumers to experience Japanese Wagyu while helping our partners build sustainable business around the product.

Building the future of Japanese Wagyu in Hawaii

Hawaii is a unique market with a strong connection to Japanese food culture, a sophisticated hospitality industry, and an appreciation for high-quality ingredients.

Our two-day event with Fresh Island Fish Co. was an exciting opportunity to introduce more people to Arita Wagyu and, importantly, to have conversations directly with chefs, hotel purchasing teams, and hospitality professionals who understand the needs of the local market.

These conversations are an important part of how we approach international markets. By meeting with professionals on the ground, we can better understand their requirements and work together to identify the right products, cuts, and applications for their businesses.

We are grateful to everyone who joined us on September 2 and 3, shared their knowledge, and took the time to experience Arita Wagyu with us.

A special thank you goes to the entire Fresh Island Fish Co. team for their partnership and for helping make both evenings possible.

We look forward to continuing to work together and creating new opportunities for Japanese Wagyu in Hawaii.

Contact Us

Interested in Japanese Wagyu? Get in touch with NIKUJILLE today.