Spam! Crazy Tasty Canned Meat

Spam in your in-box? Not a good thing. But finding the ubiquitous minced meat on a potluck table in Hawaii is cause for celebration!

Rejoice in Maui’s Love of SPAM at the First Annual Spam Jam, 10am-5 pm, July 24, at the Maui Tropical Plantation Field of Dreams. The event is hosted by KPOA morning goddess, Alaka`i Paleka, who will introduce entertainment by Kolohe Kai and Na Hoku award winners, Na Palapalai.

Kanoa Leahey and Sam Choy will also be on hand to judge the exciting Spam Challenge recipe contest. Cultural and family-friendly activities, near to the hearts of spam-loving locals and visitors, will offer plenty of opportunities for fun, even for Spam-shunning vegans.

In reality, Maui has a long and illustrious love affair with Hormel’s spiced, canned meat; a mainstay in the Hawaiian culture since pre-WWII. Vacuum packed to ensure long shelf life in the tropics, Spam was once a highly prized item of trade around the world. During the cold war it was a mainstay in bomb shelters and evacuation centers. More Spam is consumed per capita in Hawaii than anywhere else in the world. Equally as good in stir fry, on a stick, or as a sandwich, Spam’s popularity could also be attributed that to standout Hawaiian creation, Spam Musubi.

Proceeds from the event go to The Maui Food Bank, which this year alone will distribute over 1 million pounds of food to the hungry in Maui County. Admission is free, but  everyone is encouraged to bring canned goods to donate to the cause. Spam included!

Spam Musubi

Hyatt’s Stars and Son`z Package may be the perfect dinner-and-a-show night out, but there is plenty more to enjoy at the Hyatt Maui during Ten Nights of Citrus.

The Southern California College Band has been visiting the Hyatt for fifteen years running and this time has grabbed headlines  after performing at the recent Rotary fund raiser for the Lahaina Library. Hyatt GM Mike Jokovich had graciously loaned Citrus’ Jazz band to event organizers at the Royal Hawaiian, which was both kind and brilliant, as it introduced so many locals and visitors to the band’s amazing talent!

Along with many other attendees at the Rotary Event, we made our way to Umalu the very next night to dance and carry on while the band entertained poolside at Umalu’s main stage.We don’t need a lot of encouragement to visit Umalu since they serve some of the island’s best pupus and drinks. We’ve said it before and it bears repeating, the Ahi Poke Nachos and Chinese Chicken Salad at Ulmalu are delish! Now that they’ve added ultra-fresh sushi rolls to the line-up the menu is complete.

While Citrus College is at the Hyatt, the hotel has arranged a blistering lineup of music thru July 17 so you still have time to check it out. Enjoy any of the 10 different parties at Umalu, Son’z and beyond: hip, high octane Night Shift parties on the pool deck and the Jazzy, Swingy, Swanky parties indoors with the Blue Note Orchestra.  Legendary Jimmy Borges will accompany the Orchestra for three nights. No cover charge!

July 13, 2010

Umalu 4-6 pm, 6:30 – 9 pm Easy Listening; Son`z 6:30 – 9 pm Easy Listening

July 14, 15, 16, 2010

Umalu 4-6 pm, 6:30 – 9 pm Easy Listening; A/B Ballroom 7 – 9 pm Blue Note Orchestra with Jimmy Borges

July 17, 2010

Umalu 4-6 pm, 6:30 – 9 pm Easy Listening; Son`z 6:30 – 9 pm Night Shift Party!

Lovers of Mother, Mother Ocean can do their part this Sunday from 10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. at Pailolo Bar and Grill at the Westin Kaanapali Ocean Villas oceanfront sports bar. There you can watch a broadcast of Jimmy Buffet’s NRDC Benefit for the Earth’s Best Defense on high def TVs guiltfree while sipping a Margarita and having a Cheeseburger in Paradise. Proceeds for the day will be passed along to help with matters in the Gulf.

Kick up your heels at Gerard's July 14th

Any day is a good day to celebrate at Gerard’s, Lahaina but on July 14th, in observation of the day the French won independence from the monarchy,  the French Chef doffs his toque to his motherland and local patrons by offering kama`aina 50% off entrees! Not much more to say here except read our review then call 877-661-8939 tout de suite to reserve your seat at the party!

Gerard's Lahaina

Pineapple Grill Pupus

At least one foodie I know eats at Pineapple Grill nearly every day – and why not? Beyond the breezy entrance to the award winning restaurant is one of the biggest  most welcoming and comfortable bars on island; staff members greet everyone who walks through the door as if they were long lost friends;  and the menu is superior.

Chef Ryan and Manager Chris Kiawi

They make it look easy, this business of running a successful restaurant. But we all know staying on top is no easy feat.  Chef Ryan Luckey’s creations are top-notch while manager Chris Kiawi and staff never fail to make everyone feel at home. But it’s that je ne sais quoi, a sense of comfort and consistency, that retains Pineapple Grill’s loyal following . Golfers pop in before and after play on the Bay Course for stupendous Kobe burgers and truffle fries, tennis ladies go giddy over the Cobb and Asian Chicken Salads, and everyone I’ve polled from businessmen to surfers agree the Short Ribs are the crème de la crème of comfort foods on Maui.

In celebration of their success and Fifth Anniversary, Pineapple Grill is expanding upon their already impressive list of great deals and specials by offering a three-course dining experience on Friday and Saturday nights for $49.95. Selections include some of the absolute best, most popular items in their line-up, including those aforementioned Ribs, Kona Lobster Bisque, and Pineapple Upside Down Cake.

Here is the menu so help whet your appetite:

Pineapple Grill Upside Down Cake

Appetizers: Kona lobster bisque, Maui farmer’s chop salad, miso-sake grilled prawns, or crispy shiitake-mushroom pork hash spring rolls.

Entrees: Savor Asian braised short ribs, pistachio-and-wasabi-pea crusted rare ahi steak, lemon-porcini dusted Hawaiian monchong, or Maui Gold pineapple glazed 14-ounce pork chop.

Desserts: Maui pineapple upside down cake, ice cream or sorbet.

To add further excitement to the Anniversary Special, anyone who orders the special menu will also have their name entered into a drawing to win a grand prize of an Apple iPad; a second prize of golf for four with lunch; or third prize of dinner for two with wine pairings.

For reservations: Call 669-9600.

Slow Food (vs. Fast Food)

Ever wonder if locally grown lettuce taste fresher or if it’s more flavorful than lettuce imported to Maui?  Do varieties of tomatoes taste different? Have you ever had grass-fed, all natural Maui beef?

Well, now is the time to learn more about the food you eat and the sheer pleasure found in food Grown on Maui. Join representatives from Slow Food Maui for Taste Education – a tasting event that will allow you to enjoy and learn about food locally grown on Maui. Cost $5.00 for adults and children 10 and older to sample, one time each, from four taste stations. The taste stations are varieties of tomatoes, beef, lettuces, and jams & jellies.  All offered at the Family Fun Day at Alii Kula Lavender on Saturday, July 10 from 9a-2pm. Call 808-878-3004 or email aklreservations@aklmaui.com for directions.

What is Slow Food: Slow Food is an idea, a way of living and a way of eating. It is a global, grassroots movement with thousands of members around the world that links the pleasure of food with a commitment to community and the environment.  In the United States, members of Slow Food USA’s 200 conviviums celebrate the amazing bounty of food that is available and work to strengthen the connection between the food on our plates and the health of our planet. Our members are involved in activities such as:

• Raising public awareness, improving access and encouraging the enjoyment of foods that are local, seasonal and sustainably grown
• Caring for the land and protecting biodiversity for today’s communities and future generations
• Performing educational outreach within their communities and working with children in schools and through public programs
• Identifying, promoting and protecting fruits, vegetables, grains, animal breeds, wild foods and cooking traditions at risk of disappearance
• Advocating for farmers and artisans who grow, produce, market, prepare and serve wholesome food
• Promoting the celebration of food as a cornerstone of pleasure, culture and community

About Slow Food Maui: Slow Food Maui aligns with Slow Food USA to support locally grown food and cultural diversity and culinary practices for health, island food security and pleasure. Slow Food Maui is a local convivium (or chapter) of the international Slow Food movement. A convivium is a tool for implementing the Slow Food mission on a local level and therefore the grassroots expression of the movement. Slow Food Maui engages the local community in supporting and promoting local, sustainable food and food traditions and advocating for good, clean and fair food for all people.  Slow Food is a nonprofit organization with public and charitable purposes.  It is not organized for the private gain of any person.  Slow Food Maui Convivium includes Susan Campbell, chair; Jana McMahon, vice chair; Dania Katz, secretary; Charlene Kaʻuhane, treasurer; Becky Speere, membership; and core members – Chris Speere, Tova Callender, Todd Wilson, Roxanne Tiffin and Shannon Wianecki. To become a member email info@slowfoodmaui.org.

Brisk Business at Kahului's Newest

Whole Foods has been dedicated to offering consumers an alternative to corporate grocery retailers since the early 80’s. Back then, during the first wave of eco-conscious businesses that appeared on the scene to battle the big conglomerates, Whole Foods set out to build a winning business with an emphasis on procuring locally sourced products whenever possible.

There is more than one story to tell about Whole Foods and Farming vs. corporate America but let’s start with where the business is here and now. A giant corporation itself, Whole Foods continues to show graciousness to the good earth, a sentiment that is thankfully en vogue rather than a far-right pipe dream of a bunch of hippies who always knew you can’t fool Mother Nature in the long run. We applaud the organization for staying true to their mission in spite of their amazing growth and impressive profits for nearly 30 years. (In fact they celebrate their 30th birthday is this September, just like me!)

Beyond simply offering shoppers more healthy choices with which to fill their carts, Whole Foods also brings to Maui a slew of community minded events, seminars and classes, many of which are free of charge.  Their website  lists  the entire schedule but we’ll recap some of the highlights here.

Tabouli ingredients

My Tabouli

First off, Whole Foods is running a Photo Contest to encourage island residents to eat local, from July 1stthrough July 15th Whole Foods Market and Ingredients HAWAI’I will host a “Farm to Plate” contest, asking foodies to submit photos of their favorite meal incorporating local ingredients. Entries can be submitted to Whole Foods Market flickrsite:. Winners will be announced on air, July 19th at 11 am during the Isle Fresh Program on KAOI, 1110 AM on your radio dial.

Here are just some of the great FREE events offered this month at Whole Foods:

July 7^th, 6 pm FREE Chef Cooking Class

This promises to be a fun evening with Sanam Lamborn, head chef and author of My Persian Kitchen. Participants learn fun and simple Persian specialties perfect for the summer including feta and watermelon salad. www.mypersiankitchen.com

July 10, 11 am FREE Keiki in the Kitchen Class

Kids love the culinary arts and have the chance to create keiki-worthy preparations the entire family can enjoy. For ages 5-12.

July 13, 6 pm FREE Fresh Eats from Joy’s Place

Special class focused on the amazing benefits of whole, raw foods with Tyua Sereda from Joy’s Place, a live and raw food restaurant in Kihei. Delicious, nutritious, affordable and the original good-for-you fast food that makes you healthy rather than … you know.

July 17, 10am – 4 pm FREE Health Fair at Maui Mall

Fun day focused on health. Try samples of health and beauty products along with healthy cooking recipes on center stage at 2 pm. Don’t miss the BBQ Fundraiser for K-AKU Community Radio from 11-2 pm with Paniolo, Country and Hawaiian music.

July 27, 6 pm FREE Cheese Seminar

Cheese lovers are invited to a special class with Whole Food’s cheese guru, Vinny, to learn about cheeses perfect for summer meals.

July 29, 6 pm FREE Cooking with Chef Susan

Chef Susan Teton presents favorite fun and healthy recipes to nourish body and soul!

Why not take advantage of the great resource we now have in Maui with the welcome addition of Whole Foods to our community?

Save the Lahaina Library

Adjacent the ocean and Pioneer Inn, across from the Baldwin House, down the street from the ice cream parlor is home to 35,000 books, 3,000 DVDs, mulitple public computers and the ever-important keiki reading nook. The 55 year old Lahaina Library has received praise not only from residents but also from visiting librarians for its small town friendliness, ocean views, and cool breezes.

In these tough economic times, the library serves a greater purpose than ever for the 5,000 active borrowers who use the system.But she’s in sore need of a face-lift and could use the help of another full-time staff member to keep operations efficient.

Great fun and a great cause

 Wow! What finer venue for watching the fireworks in Lahaina while supporting Arts Education for Children Group than the rooftop of the old Oyster Bar on Front Street!

Lulu’s Lahaina is catering the all-American barbeque fixin’s (with island flair).

Visit the AECG website for more information!

And while we are on the subject, here is the schedule for the Maui Invitational Music Fest taking place currently on Maui.

For more information, click here.

June 28 – July 17
Introduction to Musical Instruments
This course is designed to ascertain where the musicality of each child lies. Via our mobile music school, we provide a variety of instruments (musical instrument petting zoo), to allow students hands on experimentation. Students are given the opportunity to try different instruments in order to find which one is of interest to them. We will focus on the three elements of the music making process including rhythm, melody and the silences / pauses in music. Instruction by United Globe Music.
Age level for participants: Beginning players 9 – 12
Location of program: Pukalani Elementary – Summer Pals Site
Cost of program: Participant of Summer Pals Pukalani
For an application, please click here.
For more information, click here.

Thursday, July 1 , 7:00pm
Maui Communty Band Woodwind Symphony Orchestra Concert

Concerts by the Maui Community Band are an annual Festival favorite. Lisa Owen is founder and music director of The Maui Community Band which is comprised of musicians from all walks of life — doctors, opera singers, car salesmen, bankers, teachers, hotel workers, high school students, and retirees.

Place: Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center, 275 W. Ka‘ahumanu Ave., Kahului.
Admission is free.

Friday, July 2, 8:00pm
Vocalist Sheryl Renee

Sheryl Renee is a versatile artist – vocalist, actress, playwright. She has shared the stage with some of the best musicians, artists, actors and directors in the world. Based in Denver, Colorado, Sheryl has been the featured guest soloist with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, opened for Joe Cocker, and won awards for her stage performances including playing Hattie McDaniel and Tina Turner.
Vocalist Sheryl Renee will perform as part of Wailuku’s First Friday celebration.

Place: The Wailuku Coffee Shop (formerly Café Marc Aurel) 28 N. Market Street, Wailuku
Suggested $5 donation at the door

Sunday, July 4, 5pm
Lahaina’s Fourth of July Celebration

This annual open-air celebration features musical performances followed by a fireworks extravaganza.

The Maui Community Band will perform “Fanfare for Festival,” an original composition by New York composer Carl Strommen comissioned especially for the Maui Invitaitonal Music Festival along with holiday favorites.
The show opens with Latitude 21 degrees (use the symbol) featuring David Chou, Bob Harrison, Sal godinez, and Mike Buono playing jazz with a a Latin flair.Vocalist Sheryl Renee will also perform.

Pllace: Lahaina Library lawn, Front Street, Lahaina
Admission is free.

Long may she wave!

Celtic Pipers in Makawao Parade

If you haven’t had the pleasure of witnessing the Makawao Independence Day parade this should be your year to do so. Horses festooned with floral leis, artistic face and body painting, kids perched on fenceposts – you’ll find a rare, old-fashioned, home town feeling at Makawao’s parade and rodeo this weekend.

More than 350 paniolos (cowboys) attend the rodeo from all over the world and compete at Oskie Rice Rodeo Arena, Makawao Rodeo, a mile above Makawao town, on Olinda Road at Kaanaolo Ranch on Maui. This Hawaiian style rodeo, with rough stock and roping events, features rodeo clowns and true grit excitement. Before and after the rodeo, enjoy live entertainment and country western dancing and a verity of local favorite foods and drink. What a great way to expand your horizons and take part in the great diversity present on such a small island as Maui.

Parade Makawao

While in Makawao be sure to stop into Market Fresh Bistro (808- 572-4877) for breakfast or lunch. Recent winners of the Aipono Award for Sustainability, Market Fresh proves up the adage “there is no place like home when home is Maui No Ka Oi.” With 80-90% of ingredients on the menu procured within 50 miles of this locavore haven, one need look no further than this courtyard eatery to answer the question posed by the Slow Food assemblage: Q: “Does food grown closer to home taste better?” A: A resounding YES!