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Hawaii
July 4
The perfect location to celebrate dinner on the Fourth of July is the Halekulani Hotel's oceanfront restaurant, House Without a Key. Enjoy the sunset and a fine cocktail while the tantalizing aroma of kiawe grill barbecue wafts across the lawn. Traditional Hawaiian entertainment will be performed as well. Reservations are not accepted. Dinner is served from 5 p.m.-8:30 p.m. and attire is resort casual. House Without a Key, Halekulani Hotel, 2199 Kalia Rd., Honolulu, HI 96815, 808-923-2311.
July 4
The annual Pineapple Festival commemorating Lanai's rich pineapple plantation history celebrates its 16th year. Enjoy local foods including pineapple treats, and live entertainment---fun for the entire family. The festival will be held at Dole Park in the heart of Lanai City. Pineapple Festival, Dole Park, Lanai City, HI 96763, 808-565-7519.
July 5
Orchids, already known for its sumptuous Sunday brunch, is offering an even more spectacular spread in honor of Independence Day on Sunday, July 5. It is all served against the backdrop of blue skies and ocean that this elegant restaurant provides. Brunch is served from 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Reservations are essential and can be made by calling 808-923-2311. Please note that attire is resort elegant. Orchids, Halekulani Hotel, 2199 Kalia Rd., Honolulu, HI 96815, 808-923-2311.
July 21
The Melting Pot, a popular fondue restaurant at the new Lahaina Gateway Shopping Center, is featuring a monthly Ladies' Night Out. Held on a Tuesday, the monthly event features a special themed four-course menu and also entertainment including music, movies, and sometimes a tarot card reader and fashion show with local merchants. Upcoming Tuesday Ladies' Night Out Dates for 2009 include August 18, September 15, October 20, November 17, December 15. Reservations are required. The Melting Pot, Lahaina Gateway Shopping Center, 325 Keawe St., Lahaina, HI 96761, 808-661-6181.
Ongoing
One of Hawaii's most talented young chefs, Adam Hightower, of Bali by the Sea, has introduced five-course and seven-course prix-fixe menus designed to highlight the ingredients of Hawaii and show off his considerable culinary skills. Dishes perfect for sultry summer dining like spicy lemon grass prawn served with a chilled mini mojito or a Big Island hearts of palm salad and mango vinaigrette will delight diners. These meals are easy on the pocketbook as well with the five-course going for $55 (add three two-ounce wine pairings for $25) and the seven-course for $75 (add four two-ounce wine pairings for $35). Bali By The Sea, Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa, 2005 Kalia Rd., Honolulu, HI 96815, 808-941-2254.
Ongoing
Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm offers a Lavender Garden Culinary Tour several times a week. The tour starts off with lavender tea and scones, a tour of the resplendent grounds, and culminates with a chef-led culinary demonstration using lavender as an ingredient. Lunch includes appetizer, a lavender seasoned chicken salad for the main course, and a lavender flavored dessert. Cost is $60 per person. Children 4 years and under are free. Reservations are required, and credit card number is needed to hold the reservation. Ali’I Kula Lavender Farm, 1100 Waipoli Road, Kula, Maui. For more information and upcoming tour dates, call 808-878-3004 or visit www.aliikulalavender.com. Ali'i Kula Lavendar Farm, 1100 Waipoli Rd., Kula Maui, HI 96790, 808-878-3004.
Ongoing
Ruth’s Chris Steak House at The Shops at Wailea and at Lahaina Center are offering two special promotions. For early birds, don’t miss the Sizzlin’ Happy Hour in the lounge from 5 p.m.-7 p.m., which features 50 percent off all appetizers. For heartier fare, check out the Sizzlin’ Prime Time Dinner Special, which features a three-course menu for $40. The Dinner Special is offered in the main dining room only from 5 p.m.-6 p.m. Reservations are recommended. For more information, call 808-874-8880 (Wailea) or 808-661-8815 (Lahaina). Ruth's Chris Steak House, Shops at Wailea, 3750 Wailea Alanui Dr., Wailea, HI 96753, 808-874-8880. 
OngoingThe Banyan Tree restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua is offering a three-course sunset menu between 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. for $55 per person from Tuesday through Sunday. Choose from Waipoli greens salad or Maui onion soup as a starter; braised Pacific flounder, beef tenderloin, or herb organic chicken for an entrée; and pineapple caramel cake or house-made sorbet for dessert. Also, don’t miss Wine Wednesdays---all bottles of wine on the entire wine list are 50 percent off, every Wednesday. The Banyan Tree, The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, 1 Ritz-Carlton Dr., Kapalua, HI 96761, 808-665-7250.
Ongoing
The Mala Wailea at the Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa is offering a three-course special for $38 per person. Choose between a white bean soup and a farmer’s salad; teriyaki chicken breast, blackened rib-eye steak, or herb crusted mahi mahi; and a special dessert. The restaurant is also open for breakfast and its lobby bar offers pupus during happy hour. Reservations are recommended. For more information, call 808-875-9394 or visit www.malaoceantavern.com. Mala Wailea at the Wailea Beach Marriot Resort & Spa, 1307 Front St., Lahaina, Hawaii 96761, 808-667-9394.
Ongoing
Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar continues to offer its dining specials at both the Kapalua and Kihei locations. Dine between 5:30 p.m.-6 p.m. and get 25 percent off the entire menu. For late-night revelers, enjoy 50 percent off the menu on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays between 10 p.m.-1 a.m.---and don't miss the free karaoke.
Ongoing
Early bird diners can enjoy a special at Joe's Bar & Grill in Wailea. Buy one entrée, get the second free on orders placed between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. Reservations are required and mention the ad to receive discount. Joe's Bar & Grill, 131 Wailea Ike Pl., Wailea, HI 96753, 808-875-7767.
Monday-Thursday
Experience Hawaii Regional Cuisine on this tour "from plant to pasture to plate." Hawaii Forest & Trail and Merriman's restaurant, in conjunction with Hawai`i AgVentures, are offering a behind-the-scenes taste on five-hour guided tour visits of Kahua Ranch and Honopua organic farm, followed by a four-course dinner featuring the products from the farms visited, at Merriman's in Waimea. Cost is $155 per person. For more information and reservations, call 808-331-8505. Merriman's, Opelo Plaza, 65-1227 Opelo Rd., Kamuela, HI 96743, 808-885-6822.
Tuesdays
Every Tuesday, The Flatbread Company in Pa'ia gives some of its proceeds from the evening's pizza sales to a local organization. Previous beneficiaries included Mana'o Radio, Hawaiian Canoe Club, Maui Youth & Family Services, and Women Helping Women. In addition to feeling good about dining here on Tuesdays, you can also feel good about its homemade pizzas, handcrafted from organic ingredients and cooked in a wood-fired oven. For more information, call 808-573-3109. The Flatbread Company, 89 Hana Hwy., Paia, HI 96779, 808-579-8989.
Wednesdays-Sundays
Makawao Mushrooms, Maui's only commercial fresh mushroom farm, is now offering farm tours. Meet the owners, Rocky and Paulette, and learn about their specially grown oyster mushrooms and their preparation. Tours are offered Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Reservations are required. For more information, call 808-298-8480. Makawao Mushrooms, 530 Kealolea Ave., Makawao, HI 96790, 808-298-8480.
Wednesdays & Thursdays
O'o Farms in Kula, which provides all the fresh produce for Pacific'O and I'o restaurants and The Feast at Lele, now offers tours of the farm twice a week. Held on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m., visitors will enjoy hot apple cider and pastries before touring the fields and learning about O'o Farm's organic and biodynamic practices. I'o's chef de cuisine Sean Christensen then prepares a gourmet lunch featuring the day's hand-picked bounty. Cost is $50 per person and reservations are required. Private and customized tours are also available. For more information, call 808-667-4341 or visit www.oofarm.com. O'o Farms, Waipoli Rd., Kula, HI 96790, 808-667-4341.
Wednesdays
Wednesday nights at Mulligan's on the Blue is "Wailea Wednesdays," featuring an evening with Willie K. The popular Maui entertainer will offer songs, stories and comedy as accompaniment to an all-you-can-eat pupu buffet. Dining starts at 7p.m. and entertainment lasts from 7:30 p.m.-10 p.m. Drinks, food and show is $60; food and show is $45. Mulligan's on the Blue, 100 Kaukahi St., Wailea, 808-874-1131. Mulligan's on the Blue, 100 Kaukahi St., Wailea, HI 96753, 808-874-1131.
Fridays
Begin the weekend with a traditional luau dinner and Polynesian revue on the Pualeilani Terrace at the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa. Dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. followed by the show at 7:30 p.m. Adults $80, children from 5-12 $50, just the show with cocktails $40 per adult, all inclusive. Not in the mood for a luau but still hungry? Try the seafood buffet for $33.95 for adults and $15.95 for children at the Kuhio Beach Grill. Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, 2552 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu, 808-922-6611, www.marriottwaikiki.com. Waikiki Beach Marriot Resort & Spa, 2552 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu, HI 96815, 808-922-6611, 800-367-5370.
First Fridays
Wailuku comes alive at night with a monthly First Friday event. Established by the Wailuku Community Association to draw people back to the historic town, there will be live music, art, shopping and, of course, dining. Restaurants such as Café O'Lei Wailuku, Main Street Bistro, Unisan and Café Marc Aurel will be offering food and drink specials. First Friday is held from 5 p.m.-7:30 p.m., with some establishments continuing on the festivities in their locales. For more information, call 808-249-9710.
Saturdays
If you're on the North Shore on a Saturday night and don't feel like driving into town for entertainment, visit Café Mambo in Pa'ia for movie night. Indulge in their café offerings such as kalua duck burger, fish-of-the-day specialties, and tofu fajitas while watching film classics. Recent films shown include "Miracle on 34th Street," "Chinatown," and "Pulp Fiction." Movies start at 9 p.m. For more information, call 808-579-8021. Cafe Mambo, 30 Baldwin Ave., Pa'ia, HI 96779, 808-579-8021.
Saturdays
Sponsored by the Kona Country Farm Bureau, one of the best places to enjoy the bounty of the farmers of the Big Island is at the Keauhou Farmers Market at the Keauhou Shopping Center in Kailua-Kona. Live music plays while you browse the booths featuring the freshest fruits, vegetables, coffee and flowers from more than 25 Big Island farmers. The market is every Saturday from 8 a.m.-noon. For more information, visit www.konafarmbureau.org. |
Hawaii Dining
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