Pau Hana Friday for March 28

When ripe, star apples are mildly sweet and creamy, almost like a custard. Marta Lane photo

Tasting Kauai

Happy Aloha Friday! We had an exceptional week and hope you did too. Last Sunday, our article “How to grapple with star apple” ran in The Garden Island newspaper.  I had star apple a couple of years ago, but didn’t like the latex coating it left in my mouth. Come to find out, I ate a raw one. That’s one of the perks of my job:  learning about exotic produce from the people who grow them. Now I know how to grapple with a star apple!
Last Wednesday, our article “Poipu’s mobile sushi bar” ran in The Garden Island newspaper. We now have a new favorite place to get a simple, healthy meal. The bonus is that the view is terrific! Our Wednesday column is being moved to the Dining Out section of TGIF, so look for it every Friday in The Garden Island newspaper.

Kauai Kunana Dairy

Kauai’s only organic goat dairy is excited about kidding season. “We did artificial insemination this year and have some really cute kids,” says owner Louisa Wooton. “It also means that milk is on the rise and we will be making feta soon for all of our feta fans!!” That would be us!

2011 Fine Dining class with instructors Mark Oyama (far left, second from end) and Duane Miyasato. Daniel Lane photo

Kauai Community College

Below is the menu for the second week of Fine Dining, April 1-2, 2014 at Kauai Community College.
“I sincerely apologize, but we are currently sold out for the remaining five weeks of service,” says Duane Miyasato, culinary instructor at KCC. “I have generated a waiting list should you be interested in making reservations. I need to emphasize the understanding that the culinary program is a student learning environment and that situations arise where mistakes take place. The students understand that this is part of the process of them acquiring the skills needed to prepare them for their career in the culinary industry. We ask that any dietary concerns be brought to our attention at the time of reservations and we will do our best to address those needs. We apologize should a menu item become unavailable. Specific amounts of menu items are prepared daily to accommodate the students learning success. We look forward in having you enjoy lunch at our Fine Dining restaurant and truly appreciate your continued support of the culinary program at Kauai Community College.”
Fine Dining is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday with two seatings at 11:30 a.m. and 12 p.m. For reservations, call 808-245-8365.
Fine Dining Spring 2014 ~ Includes a choice of starter, entrée and dessert
Starter

• Duck pastrami, frisee, caramelized Maui onion balsamic vinaigrette
• “The Wedge” classic iceberg lettuce, gorgonzola cheese, bacon crumbles, egg, shrimp, roasted beets, and tomatoes
• “Bacon and Eggs” braised pork belly, poached egg, baby spinach, honey apple cider vinaigrette
• Hot “Vichyssoise” with warm potato salad, andouille sausage, goat cheese, crispy fried Cajun shrimp

Entrée
Entrée selection served with freshly baked breads.

• Pan-roasted fresh fish, tomato basil fresco, seared Hamakua mushroom, shrimp and quinoa cake, balsamic glaze $24.50
• Steak Diane, garlic mashed potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts, confit tomatoes, $24.50
• Braised lamb shank, white bean smoked bacon cassoulet, chimichurri sauce, $24.50
•  Seafood cioppino, crab cake, garlic bread sticks, $25.00
• Grilled lamb chops, hoisin demi, Mongolian lamb sausage over pickled vegetables, sweet potato mash, $26.00

Dessert

• Strawberries Romanoff cheesecake, cracked black pepper, balsamic caramel apple strudel, salted caramel sauce, butterscotch ice cream
• Warm chocolate malasadas, vanilla ice cream, praliné sauce
• Cherries jubilee (tableside)

Verde Chilaquiles. Maris Manzano photo.

Verde Healthy Thursday

Join Verde in March for Healthy Thursday. Verde Chilaquiles ($12.99 and less than 380 calories) are made with local ingredients including NewMona Hui Farm eggs, Kauai Kunana Dairy feta cheese, Lawai Valley Mushrooms and Govinda Farm‘s kale and tomatillos. Owner Maris Manzano went through considerable effort to create a new, low-calorie, locally sourced menu item, so she’s keeping it on the menu for the entire month of March. I can tell you it’s a delicious, slightly spicy, large, guilt-free portion. The mushrooms and feta cheese add great umami flavor, the kale is fresh and earthy and the tomatillo wedges are tart. When cut into, the fried egg creates a kind of sauce. If your watching calories, you’ll wish you could get a meal like this more often!

Makana Terrace at St. Regis Princeville

For the Month of March, St. Regis Princeville will support the American Red Cross, Hawaii State Chapter (Kauai) with a designated table in Makana Terrace restaurant. Similar to Sheraton Kauai, 25-percent of the dinner revenues from Table 53 will benefit the American Red Cross, Hawaii State Chapter (Kauai). For dining reservations, contact the St. Regis Princeville at 826-9644. Make sure to make dinner reservations for Table 53 at Makana Terrace, which serves dinner nightly from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. They are closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
EVENTS:   
Friday, March 28

Rainbeau Jo’s

Celebrate one year with Rainbeau Jo’s! Since Beau and Jo are two of the funnest people you’ll ever meet, it should be a great time. There will be a photo booth set up along with assorted Kawaii Cupcakes, and six packs of Rainbeau colored Momona Macarons. They will bring back their cookie butter espresso shake, which has been their most sought after drink special. “Right now I am in the process of perfecting our ‘Homeskillet Latte’ which we will be introducing on our birthday,” says Jo. “It’s a bacon infused latte with real maple syrup and is ridiculously delicious. It tastes like all the best parts of breakfast in a cup!”

Boys Rush Soccer Fundraiser

Common Ground, 6 to 10 p.m., $50
North Shore Rush U14 and U16 Boys Soccer is going to the State Cup on Oahu! Help them get there by joining them for pupus, farm-to-field ocean-to-table four-course meal, live entertainment, dancing, no host bar and a silent auction. Seating is limited. All proceeds go toward flights, lodging and food for the boy’s teams to participate in the State Cup. For ticket information, call 808-828-2192.

Wine Dinner at Nanea

Join Nanea Restaurant and Bar for an all inclusive four-course dinner with wine pairing featuring Testarossa Winery. Created by executive sous chef Eric Purugganan. $90 (includes tax and gratuity)
First Course:

• Beet and Endive Salad with Goat cheese. Radish. Apple cider vinaigrette. Paired with Nanea by Testarossa Chardonnay, Santa Barbara 2010

Second Course:

• Lobster Bisque. Pan-seared scallop. Micro celery. Lemon Oil. Paired with Testarossa Chardonnay, Santa Lucia Highlands 2011

Third Course:

• Crispy Pork Belly. White bean puree. Leeks. Paired with Testarossa Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands 2012

Fourth Course:

• Braised Short Rib. Yukon celery root mash. Pearl onions. Chestnut mushroom. Paired with Testarossa Syrah, Gary’s Vineyard 2011

Sweet Treat:

• Peit fours. Tea and Coffee.

Seating is limited. Contact the concierge for reservations at 808-827-8808
Saturday, March 29

4th Annual Anahola Prince Kuhio Day Celebration

Anahola Beach Park, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., free
Celebrate the late Jennie Loke Perreira (Aunty Loke) for her exceptional contribution and commitment to educational and cultural resources in the Anahola community. Participate in educational, health and wellness exhibits, performances, and arts and crafts to honor the past and embrace the future of Prince Kuhio’s legacy.
Warung Bali will sell $8 plates and $10 combo plates which include Chicken with Balinese sauce, Fish with sambal, Tofu Curry, Beef rendang, Pad Thai with shrimp, white and brown rice and veggies.
Located at the end of Anahola Road, turn towards the ocean in Anahola from Hwy 56.
For more information, La Contrades at [email protected], 808-639-1754 or Lady Ipo Kahaunaele-Ferreira at [email protected].

Cowboy up! Paniolo Dinner – THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED

The Green Pig, 6 to 10 p.m., $75 per person
Wear your best Western attire or denim and join the Green Pig for a four-course cowboy meal with unlimited drinks, live music and line dancing.

• First course: Sweet Maui Onion “Petals” with Sassy horseradish sauce
• Second course: “Cowboy Picnic” Sweet carrot salad, deviled egg and jalapeño pimento cheese
• Third course: Local Kauai Beef Brisket-Jake smoked with cauliflower and potato gratin
• Fourth course: Zucchini Cake “Whoopie Pie” with homemade vanilla bean icecream

RSVP by March 24. For reservations, call 808-212-5769 Limited Seating.
Wednesday, April 9

Kauai Farmers Union

Anahola Clubhouse, 6 p.m.
The Kauai chapter of the Hawaii Farmers Union invites you to a locavore community potluck, celebrating local food and the family farmers that produce it. This is a networking event that will focus on the Kauai effort to promote localized food production, legislative topics important to Kauai ag, and an opportunity to socialize with other farmers and foodies. Special guests to be announced.
If you can’t make it, the Kauai Farmers Union gets together on the second Wednesday of each month to celebrate local food and the family farmer.
Contact Ray Maki at 808-634-5412, Kauai/Hawaii Farmers Union United
Saturday, April 12

Tasting honey tangerines while Kai explains the unique tropical fruit. Marta Lane photo

A Taste of Kilohana

Kilohana Plantation, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., $115
A Taste of Kilohana is an exclusive, guided food tour that offers a seasonal slice of Kilohana Plantation. Our tour includes an off-the-menu, three-course, locally sourced meal that’s served in the Private Dining Room of Wilcox Mansion. Tasting Kauai donates a portion of the proceeds to the Kauai Branch of the Hawaii Food Bank.
Our unique tour begins with a ride in a open-air train through the 105-acre orchard which has more than 50 varieties of exotic fruit trees. Guests disembark and feed wild boar, goats and chickens and stroll through the orchard with Kai, Kilohana’s expert in local agriculture. After picking and eating exotic fruit, sit and relax as Kai demonstrates how to select and prepare tropical fruit, then taste the best of Kilohana in a super-fresh fruit salad.
After a short tour of the historic Manor House, guests learn how to make Gaylord’s signature Mai Tai with fresh-pressed sugarcane and lime juice inside Mahiko Lounge. Meet Gaylord’s executive chef Todd Barrett while he explains the day’s preparations and enjoy a three-course, locally sourced lunch in the Private Dining Room. Proceeds from this tour benefit the Hawaii Food Bank – Kauai Branch, help to restore native plants and preserve and perpetuate Hawaiian culture through education. To make reservations, visit A Taste of  Kilohana. To see previous tours, check out our Facebook photo album. For a complete list of tour dates, check out our Kauai Culinary Tours Calendar.

Lost World + Blue Agave Reveal Party

aFeinberg Gallery Poipu, 6 p.m.
Kauai photographer Aaron Feinberg will reveal to new images: Lost World and Blue Agave. To celebrate, he will serve pupus, local craft beer and wine. Live music by Jordan Walters and Milo Matthews with performances throughout the evening. For more info please email info @ afeinberggallery.com. COLLECTOR ONLY VIEWING 5PM
Monday, April 14

Friends of Harmony Harwell Fundraiser

Hukilau Lanai, 6 p.m., $40 (cash purchases appreciated, but not required)

• Buffet Dinner
• Music
• Entertainment
• No-Host Bar
• Silent Auction

Hukilau Lanai seeks to help their dear friend and employee Harmony Harwell, who has very recently been diagnosed with Stage IV Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a cancer of lymph tissue, which requires extensive treatment. This illness has struck her family very unexpectedly and with no preparedness. Over the coming months Harmony will undergo chemotherapy and radiation therapies rendering her unable to work. Harmony is in need of financial help to deal with daily expenses and upcoming medical bills. The owners and employees of Hukilau Lanai are reaching out to find support for this spirited and community active young woman, and are asking for your assistance. Hukilau Lanai’s fundraiser will donate 100 percent of profits to Harmony. If you are able to donate a service, gift certificate (no alcohol included), or item for the silent auction we would be most grateful. Donations can be mailed or picked up upon request.
Tickets on sale now at Hukilau Lanai, call 808-822-0600
Thursday, April 17

Agriculture Grant Information Session and Market Development

Kauai Community College OCET Room, 3-1901 Kaumualii Hwy
The Hawaii Department of Agriculture Market development Branch is coming to Kauai  to do a grants workshop at KCC. “The hope is that we can use this opportunity to better connect to the agriculture producers and those who work to prepare proposals for agriculture grants throughout the year,” says Michael Opgenorth, Agricultural Development Division, Hawaii Department of Agriculture. For more information, email [email protected].
FOR FARMERS/NON-PROFIT or FOR-PROFIT ASSOCIATIONS/INTERESTED PARTIES
No cost to attend, however, REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED before day of the event!

• 9 to 9:30 a.m. ~ Welcome and introduction of Market Development
• 9:30  to 10:15  a.m. ~ Specialty Crop Block Grant Program
• 10:15 to 10:45 a.m. ~ Sponsorship and Product Promotion Program
• 10:45 to 11:00 a.m. ~ Question and Answer
• 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. ~ One-on-one grant proposal development

Meet the HDOA Agriculture Development Division staff and ask how we can help you. Attendees can expect to discuss:

• Different funding sources
• Proposal preparation – what challenges do you face?
• Reporting and grant requirements
• Joining the contact list for all future programs and updates

Contact the HDOA Market Development Branch to register by March 28, 2014. Call (808) 973-9595, or email [email protected]. For more information about Hawaii agriculture, see www.hdoa.hawaii.gov.

Lunch on our tour includes dishes such as Kauai Fresh Farms salad with local pork belly and chef’s garden vinaigrette. Daniel Lane photo

A Culinary Romp Through Paradise

Various locations in Kapaa, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., $140
Tasting Kauai’s Culinary Tour offers an intimate glimpse into the Garden Island’s culinary scene. We start with a farm tour and sample exotic fruit grown on Kauai. At the Kauai Marriott Resort, we join executive chef Guy Higa for an outdoor cooking demonstration and gourmet, four-course lunch made with Kauai grown ingredients. We conclude this food tour with cocktails at Oasis on the Beach. After a short presentation by Jeanne Toulon about award-winning, small-batch Koloa Rum, mixologist Joel Downs will handcraft two cocktails.
To make reservations, visit A Culinary Romp Through Paradise. To check out previous tours, visit our Facebook photo album. Chef Higa donates proceeds from his portion of the tour to the Salvation Army Soup Kitchen and Tasting Kauai donates proceeds to the Kauai Branch of the Hawaii Food Bank. For a complete list of tour dates, check out our Kauai Culinary Tours Calendar.
Saturday, April 19

19th Annual Garden Fair

9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Kauai Community College, free
Special all day farmers market with all day garden talks, educational demonstrations, government and non-profit resources for your farm or home garden, keiki activities by 4-H and school gardens, ono local foods and plate lunches all day.
On Saturday morning the Kauai Community College front lawn will spring to life with gardeners, suppliers, garden lovers and consumers there to shop the wide variety of plants, landscape products and equipment, and to find out the latest gardening information and tips. Hosted by Kauai County Farm Bureau and University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture & Human Resources (CTAHR), the annual Kauai Garden Fair is one of the largest gatherings of green thumbs on Kauai and a great way to share the bounty of the island firsthand. This event is in its 18th year and continues to grow.
This one-day, free event begins with a “one-stop shop” for the garden, where a wide variety of tropical plants, flowers, produce and seeds will be available for purchase representing farmers, nurseries and organizations from around the island. This is an opportunity to network with organizations that assist gardeners and agriculture, stroll through the many information booths to learn what’s new and swap tips. Or learn about upcoming classes to garden – from novice to expert.
Sunday, April 20 ~ Easter

Keoki’s Paradise

Easter Breakfast Buffet, 7:30 to 11 a.m., $19 adults, $10 children 12 and under

• Cold Selections: Assorted cereals, fresh fruit salad, baked pastries
• Hot Items: Scrambled eggs, bacon, link sausage, sweet bread French toast, biscuits and gravy, Portuguese sausage, country style potatoes
• Omelet Station: Omelets cooked to order with your choice of bacon, ham, tomatoes, onions, mushrooms, spinach and cheese
• Juice and coffee bar

Reservations recommended, call 808-742-7534
Monday, April 21

Earth Day with Hoouluwehi

Kauai Community College, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This year more than one billion people around the globe will participate in Earth Day. People of all nationalities and backgrounds will voice their appreciation for the planet and demand its protection. Hoouluwehi — The Sustainable Living Institute of Kauai at KCC is sponsoring an Earth Day Celebration which includes:

• Sustainability and Health Education
• Cultural Demonstrations and Performances
• Open Mic Event
• Musical Entertainment
• Prize Drawings
• Food and Craft Vendors

Tuesday, April 22 – Earth Day

Healthy Hut Backyard BBQ

Healthy Hut, Kilauea, 2 to 5 p.m.
Celebrate Earth Day with Healthy Hut and hang in their backyard. Meet local vendors, sample healthy products, free giveaways and more. There will be store-wide sales and raffle for gift baskets. Event will benefit Kilauea Elementary and the family of Keith and Sam Mitzel.

EarthDay Rising

For the last three years, Malama Kauai has hosted an event called EarthDay Rising on the beach at Waipa on the weekend closest to Earth Day (April 22). This will be their fourth year, and it will take place from Friday, April 18 through Sunday, April 20th, 2014.
The weekend includes a 3-day campout, a Waipa workday, live music, DJ’s, local food and workshops that build community knowledge exchange around aina stewardship and homesteading techniques. This is an ohana centered event that welcomes and includes children as an integral part of our community.
Any funds not needed for hard costs and expenses will go towards our projects like the Kauai School Garden Network, the Kauai Food Forest, the Kalihiwai Community Garden, the Kilauea Agricultural Park and Hawaiian Charter School Food Program.
There is a cost associated with camping which helps to compensate Malama Kauai and Waipa for the use of toilets, showers and overnight site management. The charge is $50 per adult with children under 12 free. Use the link below to obtain your camping tickets for the weekend. Camping is limited to 100 adults on a first come first get basis. Click here for camping permits.
For more information call or visit:
Keone Kealoha
808-634-8174
[email protected]
Katie Trussell
808-652-7890
[email protected]
EarthDayRising.org
ONGOING:

Sarah Wooton of Kauai Kunana Dairy. Marta Lane photo

Farmers Market Tour

Wednesdays, 3 to 4 p.m., $30
Meet local farmers, learn how to select perfect produce as well as when it’s in season and how to cook with it during Tasting Kauai’s one-hour farmers market class. Farmers markets are an affordable way to immerse yourself in local culture and the best place to buy produce that’s so fresh, it was harvested that morning. But buying at the farmers market doesn’t always insure that it was grown on Kauai. It happens all over the world. In Hawaii, customers want mangos year-round. In Colorado, they want tomatoes in May. To make that sale, vendors buy imported mangoes or tomatoes and sell them as their own. Becoming familiar with growing  seasons insures your dollars are spent on local produce.
There’s a whole world of delicious produce that many people never try. Let’s face it, some of it looks like it came from another planet. Once unfamiliar produce is demystified and cooking tips are shared, it may become a regular at dinner table. Many factors can make exotic produce expensive and the last thing you want to do is buy a pineapple that isn’t at peak perfection. This class will also teach you how to tell when produce is ripe as well as how to store it for best results. To make reservations, visit our Farmers Market Tour page.

Hanapepe Friday Night Festival and Art Walk

Hanapepe Town, 6 to 9 p.m.
Every Friday evening, Old Town Hanapepe bustles with people. A dozen art galleries stay open late and local crafters sell their wares. There’s also stilt walkers, classics cars, live music and entertainment. The Right Slice sells fresh-baked pie by the slice or whole.  Midnight Bear Breads makes pizza fresh from a wood-burning oven. Aloha Spice Company serves samples of their Hawaiian sea salt and spice blends on grilled chicken. These spices quickly add fantastic flavor without a lot of calories and make wonderful gifts of aloha.
Haole Girl Island Sweets sells a variety of hand-made butter croissants, including grilled chicken and portobello mushroom seasoned with Aloha Spice Company blends. Other croissants are filled with local fruit, nuts, honey or vegetables. Samples are given just outside the parking lot, in front of the darling Aloha Spice Company building. Call 808-335-6469 for more information.

Kapaa Art Walk in Old Town Kapaa. Daniel Lane photo

Kapaa Art Walk

Old Town Kapaa, 5 to 9 p.m.
On the first Saturday of the month hundreds of people party in Old Town Kapaa. The street is filled with the sounds of laughter and music, smells of delicious local food, and the work of Kauai artists. In front of the Dragon Building, Anni Caporuscio (owner of Small Town Coffee and Blue House Booksellers) sings to a three-piece band which includes a guitar player, drummer and washboard player. Art Cafe Hemingway and Java Kai open a new exhibit and serve food late. The Buttery hosts jewelers and other Kauai Made jewelry is available throughout.

Art Walk at Kukuiula

The Shops at Kukuiula, 6 to 9 p.m., free
Enjoy an enchanting evening of fine art, fine dining and live music under the stars at The Shops at Kukuiula the second Saturday of each month. Highlights include:

• Scott Hanft Photography for a relaunch and book signing of Kauai Edge: A Photographic Portfolio. Award winning photographer Scott Hanft captures rare moments on the Garden Island over 24 years, often from unique angles, and using the best modern print mediums.
• RED KOI invites you to join Kauai plein air artist Jim Ingham for live painting. Jim brings his distinct touch to Kauai’s most loved places and its remote settings capturing the essence of the Garden Island. His New Works feature Hanalei Bay by Moonlight, this Winter’s exciting Surf and a Lazy River through the Taro Fields. Linger over his newest collection and meet the artist at this vibrant gallery.
• Take part in the artists’ reception at galerie 103 for PRINT Paper + Sandbox – a new exhibit to examine traditional and contemporary printmaking. Works challenge conventional limits and technique from H.C. Westermann, Jean Cocteau, William T. Wiley, Ivan Lackovic, Tom Lieber, Kathleen Afair Brown, Roberta Griffith, Sally French, Bruna Stude and Wayne Zebzda. Open until May 3rd.
•  Experience the beauty of Kauai brought to life by award-winning plein air artist Jenifer Prince, painting live on site at Halelea Gallery. Spotlighting the Art of Hawaiian Living, Halelea features a unique collection of one-of-a-kind original fine art by Hawaii artists, Hawaii fashion design and locally handcrafted jewelry.
• Discover the award-winning work of Aaron Feinberg at aFeinberg Gallery. From the heights of Kokee and the cliffs of Napali, to secret waterfalls and beaches in between, Aaron can typically be found seeking out spectacular scenes and serene moments hiking and exploring Kauai’s pristine natural environment.
• March is waves, whales, sun, and surf month at Palms Gallery. The exquisite Paradise Collection created by more than 20 local artists will inspire discerning collectors and casual buyers to acquire original artwork and remember beautiful Kauai.
• Extend your evening for a sophisticated night out in Poipu. Dining options include Merriman’s Fish House, Josselin’s Tapas Bar & Grill, Tortilla Republic, Dolphin Sushi, Living Foods and Lappert’s Hawaii. Plus, enjoy jazz outdoors by Hank Curtis and Steve Dubey and Latin rhythms by Manuel Mendes and Cary Valentine.

Kilauea Art Walk

Stone Building, 5 to 8 p.m.
Join more than 20 artisans on the last Saturday of the month at the Stone Building in Kilauea Town. There’s live music, original art, hand-made apparel, jewelry, photography, custom slippers, painted glass bottles, ice cream and unique creations. Face painting henna tattoos. Stop by Kilauea Fish Market for dinner.

Photos for this blog post were contributed by Daniel Lane of Pono Photo.