Moana Restaurant & Bar company at Isle of Capri, Surfers Paradise in liquidation after court wind up

The company behind a well-known Gold Coast restaurant, launched by a celebrity chef in a bustling location, has gone into liquidation.

The company behind a well-known Gold Coast restaurant, launched by a celebrity chef in a bustling location, has gone into liquidation.

The company that opened Moana Restaurant and Bar was placed into liquidation by the Supreme Court of Victoria, following wind-up action from a creditor.

It’s the second restaurant in a row to go bust in the same space in Capri at Via Roma, after popular Italian eatery Cicchetti went under in 2019.

Moana Restaurant and Bar has gone into liquidation.

Darryl Kirk of Cor Cordis has been appointed liquidator of Moana’s company, Kaihea, which is solely directed by Hope Island woman Danielle Niuhulu, 29.

A statement from Cor Cordis said the restaurant was being “operated and managed by another company”, but declined to say which company.

“We understand the restaurant is operating as business as usual,” the statement said.

“Cor Cordis will now assess Kaihea Pty Ltd, realise any available assets of the company, and

conduct investigations into any potential claims.

“A detailed report will be provided to creditors and stakeholders in due course.”

The phone at the restaurant went unanswered Thursday and Friday afternoon.

Moana Restaurant and Bar owner and director Danielle Niuhulu.

Ms Niuhulu had opened the restaurant with Alex Kaihea, a well-known chef from New Zealand, who previously worked as head chef at George’s Paragon.

Company records show Mr Kaihea is not a current director of any company.

The collapsed company is Ms Niuhulu’s only directorship.

NZ celeb chef Alex Kaihea launching Moana. Picture: Jerad Williams

The restaurant specialised in Pacific Rim cooking, combining Pacific Island foods, Asian cooking techniques, Califormia freshness and a host of other cultural and culinary influences.

Before moving to Australia, Mr Kaihea owned The Beach House Restaurant Bar in Auckland and became a familiar face across the ditch, appearing in national television shows including Good Morning and Real Pasifik.

Launching the restaurant four years ago, Mr Kaihea said he “wanted to create a place in this beautiful building with great service”.

“‘Moana’ is the ocean, it’s a story of my life, how I got here. It supports the menu that I do,” he said at the time.