Hawaiian Tiki Bar & Grill to Open Near Ziegler Park Pool

Owners of Onolicious Hawaii Sign Lease with 3CDC to Debut New Concept

CINCINNATI (April 7, 2025) –   Vincente “Vinny” Benedett, who co-owns Poco Moco Restaurant Group with his wife, Elena, and cousin, Keawe Miller, recently signed a lease to open a second Hawaiian concept, 10th Island Tiki Bar & Grill, at 213 Woodward Street in Over-the-Rhine (OTR). The 1,504-square-foot space, owned by Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. (3CDC), is conveniently situated in the expanded Ziegler Park, just steps from both Main Street and the Ziegler Park pool.

While still highlighting standard Hawaiian fare, 10th Island will be completely different from their original concept, Onolicious. Its menu will feature light bites, like burgers and sandwiches, mussels, calamari and other seafood-centric appetizers, tiki cocktails, and traditional Hawaiian shave ice.

“We’re designing 10th Island to make you feel like you’re on an island – not just during pool season, but all year long,” said Benedett. “The windows will actually be covered so you cannot see in or out and the décor will play into the island vibe. We’re here to spread happiness and joy through the food and culture we love and I’m really looking forward to creating an entirely new concept that brings in a new crowd of people for us to share it with.”

Born and raised in San Francisco, Benedett lived with the family of his best friend during a particularly difficult time in his life. They were from Oahu and taught him about Hawaiian culture and the importance of sharing it with the world. They also taught him to cook their native cuisine – and Benedett went on to make a career for himself in the restaurant industry. While he is not technically Hawaiian, Benedett would argue that it isn’t about where you are from but what you have become, making it his mission to spread Hawaiian culture and the ‘aloha spirit’ to Cincinnati through food.

The name of the Benedetts’ new concept was chosen as a nod to Cincinnati being Hawaii’s unofficial 10th Island. Although there are many Hawaiian Islands, the eight largest are the most well-known, “official” islands. Las Vegas is informally known as Hawaii’s “ninth island” due to the large and thriving Hawaiian community that resides there. With the growing number of local Hawaiian people relocating to the Queen City, the Benedetts felt the name was appropriate.

“The 10th Island Tiki Bar and Grill is the perfect complement to Ziegler Park and will be an ideal fit for this unique location that essentially serves as an extension of the space,” said Christy Samad, Executive Vice President of Civic & Commercial Space Activation for 3CDC. “Onolicious has been a great addition to Court Street Plaza, and we are confident that the Benedetts will transform this space into a Hawaiian oasis, as well, bringing additional vibrancy to the area and adding to the eclectic mix of small businesses nearby.”

The Benedetts are planning to celebrate the grand opening of 10th Island Tiki Bar & Grill in June. Additional details will be shared as they become available. Additionally, Poco Moco Restaurant Group will celebrate Father’s Day with their annual luau in Ziegler Park on Sunday, June 15 and all are invited to attend. For additional information, follow along on social media at https://www.instagram.com/onolicious_hi/?hl=en.

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