The Órale Taco food truck in Hana serves authentic Mexican cuisine. Owner operator Daniel Lopez lost everything during the 2023 wildfires, except the food truck he inherited from his aunt in Tijuana. The recipes were passed down to Lopez from his grandmother Mercedes Montes, originally from Chihuahua, Mexico. Photo courtesy Raja Iliya

When Daniel Lopez dreams, he dreams big and with heart and soul, and not even a devastating wildfire can stop him.

Lopez is the owner operator of �”rale Taco in Hana.

“Since I was about 12 years old, I dreamed of having a food truck on Maui,” he said. “But I also understood that moving to Hawaii from the mainland means stepping into something sacred — and I wanted to do it right. I spent time learning about the people, the ʻāina, and how to show proper respect.”

For Lopez, the truck is an event in and of itself, and Hana is a perfect setting.

“After the Lahaina fires, we lost everything — our home, our town — except the food truck,” he said. “That’s what brought us here to Hana, where we’ve been embraced with aloha. The vibe here is peaceful, wild and beautifully untouched, a true country-style life. As you know, Hana is like the ‘Wild Wild West,’ and it should stay that way. But what cowboy or cowgirl doesn’t love good Mexican food?”

He said �”rale, (pronounced Oh-dah-lay) is a Mexican expression that means “right on,” “let’s go,” or just straight-up good vibes.

“It’s our name, our mission, and our way of life,” he said.

�”rale Taco food truck in Hana, Daniel Lopez inside the food truck that has brought him joy and his customers authentic Mexican food imbued with flavor and love. Photo Courtesy Raja Iliya

Lopez, 30, is all about family, culture and honoring tradition.

“I’m originally from California, and I started this food truck back in 2014 after buying it from an aunty in Tijuana who used to sling ‘pupusas,’ a thick Salvadoran dish made from corn masa and stuffed with cheese, beans or meat, then grilled until perfectly crisp,” he said. “When she retired, I gave the truck a new identity and began building �”rale Taco from the ground up.”

Lopez took a thorough and literate approach to understanding the Hawaiian-Mexican connection in Maui.

He said one book that helped shape his approach was “Aloha Compadre,” which explores the cultural connections between the Mexican and Hawaiian people including the story of how, during Kamehameha III’s reign (1825-1854), the king sent handwritten invitations to Mexican vaqueros to come to Hawaii and teach locals how to ride horses and manage cattle.

He said those vaqueros passed down their knowledge, and Hawaiians adapted those techniques to the land, giving rise to the Hawaiian cowboy or paniolo.

“Their legacy lives on today in ranching, storytelling, and even Hawaiian music, and it’s a history that deeply inspires me,” he said.

Lopez said at �”rale Taco, the food carries that same respect and soul. The recipes come straight from his grandma, Mercedes Montes, and his mother, Isabel Montes, who are both originally from Chihuahua, Mexico.

“Everything we serve is made from scratch, no shortcuts, ever,” he said. “From our slow-simmered consomé to handmade salsas, every bite tells a story.”

Lopez said �”rale Taco features favorites like crispy crunch wraps, hearty burritos, cheesy quesadillas and, of course, the delicious tacos. Patrons can wash it all down with a handcrafted horchata, available in both original and ube flavors. �”rale Taco also serves hot churros daily.

Lopez feels strongly about his ties to Hana.

“We try our best to give back to the community whenever we can through giveaways, kamaʻāina discounts for locals, and consistently serving top-quality food with aloha. We also proudly support local farms by using their produce and fundraisers for the keiki and do what we can to uplift the community that’s given us so much.”

�”rale Taco is one of a growing number of Mexican food trucks and businesses in Maui. Lopez sees Maui as beneficial and inclusive of his business and others being accepted by the local community.

“I believe I’ve earned it (a successful business) by being respectful and providing top-quality service in every aspect of our business,” he said. “If the Latino community here on Maui keeps Hawaiian people, culture and the land at the forefront of their businesses and lives, then the growing influence of Mexican people on Maui can truly be a positive thing. ”

�”rale is located in the Hasegawas food court just past the gas station on the right next to Joel’s Plate Lunch and Burgers on the Hana Highway.

Photo Courtesy Raja Iliya