Ono Hawaiian Cafe founder Mike Mohica has sold the popular Hawaiian fusion restaurant to focus solely on his other culinary venture, Kanak Attack Catering.

Ono’s new owner, Boise businessman Ed Scott, said he will retain all aspects of the restaurant, including its name, menu, location and staff. Mohica will continue to cook at Ono through Sunday, Jan. 29. The restaurant will be closed on Jan. 30 and 31 and reopen on Feb. 1 with Scott at the helm.

“Ono Hawaiian Cafe will continue to be Idaho’s best Hawaiian restaurant,” Mohica said. “I wish Ed continued success with Ono and thank my fans, friends, employees and family for all of your support.”

The sale of Ono brings Mohica full circle: The restaurant was an outgrowth of Kanak Attack, a full-service catering company that specializes in authentic Hawaiian luaus. Several of Mohica’s clients had urged him to open a restaurant, and Ono’s Pacific Rim-inspired menu was an instant hit. In 2010, Idaho Statesman readers crowned Ono “Best Place to Pig Out” in the newspaper’s annual Best of Treasure Valley poll. Most recently, Ono was named Boise Chamber of Commerce’s “Restaurant of the Month” for January 2012.

Kanak Attack, which operated out of Ono Hawaiian Cafe, is moving into the Powerhouse Events Center (621 S. 17th St., Boise). Kanak Attack will have its own kitchen and office space and become the Powerhouse’s preferred caterer.

Using the Powerhouse as its home base, Kanak Attack will continue offering offsite catering for weddings, corporate functions and special events while expanding its public presence — for years, Kanak Attack has been a fixture at Treasure Valley food festivals and annual events such as Art in the Park. This winter, Kanak Attack is back at the Bogus Basin Nordic Center serving lunch every Sunday. By spring, Mohica plans to have a new food truck rolling.

After considering several investment opportunities, Scott was attracted to Ono by its unique concept, loyal clientele and — partially through his firsthand experience as a customer — its reputation for savory, satisfying food.

“Ono Hawaiian Cafe is a tropical paradise in the Treasure Valley you never wish to leave,” Scott said. “This is a tremendous opportunity, and I can't thank Mike enough for giving me a chance to continue the tradition of excellent food and outstanding service he started.”