NEWS:

Koloa Sunshine Market

The Bloody Goose at Kalapaki Joe’s. Daniel Lane photo

The county sponsored Koloa famers market is looking for vendors who have fruit, veggies, and flowers to sell. They are also looking for artisans of Hawaiian arts that includes weaving, carvings, lei making and representation of indigenous herbs and plants.

Located in Old Koloa Town at the Historic Courtyard and Cultural Center, behind Crazy Shirts. If interested please contact Pattie at: 808-639-3982 or 808-742-8377

Restore Kauai

Restore Kauai is a new Kapaa farmers market across the street from the hugely popular Sunshine Market. The market features value added products such as goat cheese and kettle corn; farmers; crafts, clothing and hot meals. More vendors are wanted. Call Alpha Harada at 808-635-0877.

Farmers Needed

Barb’s farm is located in Kaphi and she is looking for one or two people who have more than one year experience of farming in Hawaii. The farm is fairly new and growing fast. They are interested in people who grow organic food. Only those who are enthusiastic and passionate about farming should apply. Barb also wants hard workers who wake up with a smile on their face, ready to work. The atmosphere is relaxed, with the intention of getting food out to the community. Trade work for all the veggies you can eat. Call Barb at 954-260-7059 or email bhuddle@gmail.com.

Yoshii Farm

Yoshii Farm is back at the Hanalei Market and is also at the Saturday Namahana Market in Kilauea. Tomorrow they will have apple bananas, mangos, papayas, breadfruit, lychee, and avocado. They also have bonsai and desert rose available at the Saturday Namahana market.

“The new crops of purple lilikoi are beautiful,” says Jenai Yoshii, :and the dragon fruit is gorgeous and about ready to harvest!”

Jenai also says that Yoshii Farm is now supplying Kauai Pasta in Lihue and Kapaa with fresh basil.

Merriman’s Fish House, Poipu

The Happy Half Hour is now a full hour. Drink specials are from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and include $3 margaritas, $3 draft beers, $4 house wines, and $5 Mai Tais. They just started a “build your own wine flight” for $15.

Wine Night just moved from Friday night to Wednesday night. So you can still get 50 percent off a bottle of wine, you just have to go on a Wednesday night which is great. You can peruse the Culinary Market from 4 to 6 p.m., and then enjoy dinner and half off a bottle of wine!

Hula Baby Biscotti

Hula Baby Biscotti is a new vendor at the Wednesday Culinary Market at The Shops at Kukuiula. They debuted in style at the market this week, by releasing three new products: Kauai Coffee Crunch biscotti, Hula Baby Blend Granola, and Tropical Trail Mix. Next week look for newly released Hawaiian Ginger Granola and Island Fruit & Nut Granola. Visit the Hula Baby Biscotti Facebook page for the latest.

EVENTS:

Saturday, July 28

Tortilla Republic

Every Saturday night slender ladies wear slinky dresses and dance until 2 a.m. Sexy bartenders heat up the night while a DJ spins hypnotic beats in the disco room. This is as close to Ibiza as Kauai gets, so if you want a little late-night fun, Tortilla Republic is the place to be.

Hanalei Canoe Club’s 39th Annual Luau

4:30 to 9 p.m., $40 adults (in advance), $45 adults (at door), $15 children 12 and under

Festivities include live entertainment, silent auction, a local style luau, and canoe rides on the Hanalei River. This fundraiser helps to sponsor the youth program at the State Outrigger Canoe Championship Races on Oahu in August.

Tickets available at Healthy Hut in Kilauea, Hanalei Surf Company in Hanalei, Federico’s in Princeville, from a canoe club member, and outside Foodland in Princeville on certain days near the event date. For more information call 639-4048, email us at, or visit the Hanalei Canoe Club’s website.

The Wine Garden

Summer Wine Tasting, 4 to 7 p.m.

The Wine Garden in Lihue is bringing in George “Hollywood” Rowland, from Young’s Market. He will introduce wines from ONEHOPE Wine. Located in Newport Beach, California, ONEHOPE donates 50 percent of its profits to eight charities ranging from the Fight Against Autism to Support Our Troops and Fight Against Breast Cancer.

Hollywood will also showcase wines from the Vine Hill Winery, which is located in the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains, within the historic Vine Hill District, established in 1867. This winery is dedicated to creating outstanding artisan wines while supporting and using sustainable vineyard and winery practices. Special pricing will be offered on the Vine Hill wines.

Monday, July 30

Grow Culture

Caffe Coco, $50, 6 p.m.

Collin Darrell of Grow Culture is rolling out his pop-up restaurant Grown. He’s turning Caffe Coco into a dumpling house for one night only. Kauai Grill’s chef de cuisine Garrison Price will hand-make these babies using Kauai-grown ingredients. Collin says there will be plenty of vegetarian options available, and promises to give me more information before next Friday’s post.

The evening will accommodate one seating for 30 people. BYOB and CS (chopsticks), this is going to be great! I mean, where can you go get a whole bunch of dumplings on Kauai?

Tuesday, July 31

Hukilau Lanai

Four-Course Dinner featuring Koloa Rum, $68, 6 p.m.

Executive chef Ron Miller and his staff at the Hukilau Lanai have created an enticing menu of locally grown food and wrapped it around locally made Koloa Rum. If you come to this website often, you know we are big fans of the Hukilau Lanai, and the Koloa Rum Company. So we’re looking forward to this fresh and creative four-course dinner.

First Course

T.L.C Daiquiri. Fresh squeezed Tahitian lime juice, Koloa White Rum and a powdered coconut rim. Served up, and chilled to perfection.

Pineapple Tomato Gazpacho with White Rum Pineapple Sorbet.

Second Course

Kauai Shrimp Smoked with Rum-soaked Wood and Corn Flan with Koloa Spice Rum. Kailani Farms Arugula, and Koloa Dark Rum vinaigrette.

White wine paring.

Third Course

Fresh Island Catch with local carrot, ginger and Koloa Spice Rum puree. Kaneshiro Farms pork tenderloin with Koloa White Rum and lemongrass demi-glace.

Red wine paring.

Fourth Course

Dessert Trio

Spice: Rum cake, banana compote, and Hawaiian sea salt
White: Rum Raspberry Coconut Tiramisu
Dark: Rum and Chocolate Mousse Tartlet with Toasted Mac nuts

Cha Cha Chocolate with chipotle infused Koloa Dark Rum and a hint of chocolate.

The cost is $68 and includes tax and gratuity. Call Hukilau Lanai at 808-822-0600 to make prepaid reservations.

ONGOING:

Friday, July 13 through Saturday July, 28

2012 Kauai Bon Dance Festival

For more than 500 years, Japanese bon dance festivals have honored the spirit’s of family members that have passed away. The festivals serve as both a ceremony of spiritual remembrance and a celebration of cultural heritage and community. According to tradition, it is believed the summer months are when ancestral spirits return to visit family and friends.

The dance is held at night and differs slightly depending on the Buddhist Mission, but generally involves people circling a high wooden yagura. The appropriate way to welcome the ancestors soul’s is to play happy music and create a feeling of happiness.

The festivals are also known for their array of Japanese foods for sale- andagi (sweet fried dough), grilled teriyaki beef, chicken skewers, musubi (rice balls wrapped in dried seaweed), and stir-fried noodles. Everyone is welcome regardless of religious background, ethnicity, or dancing abilities. Call 808-338-1847 for details.

Friday, July 20 through Sunday, July 29

Koloa Plantation Days

The 13th Annual Koloa Plantation Days is wrapping up. Today at 4:30 p.m., join retired pastor Niles Kageyama at the historic Koloa Union Church as he shares memories of growing up at the plantation camp in old Koloa.

At 5:30 p.m., Gail Little will guide you through Old Koloa Town, and point out historic buildings and chat about their previous incarnations as a dispensary, churches, motel for traveling salesmen, supply store for whaling ships, soda factory, and other enterprises.

Saturday, starting at 10 a.m., the Annual Park Celebration starts with the Koloa Town parade. Festivities go until 5 p.m. and include food booths, hula, live music and a memorabilia tent. Our good friend Pamela Varma Brown will be promoting her upcoming book, Kauai Stories. It’s a book about life on Kauai, written by people who live here. I had the honor to contribute a story, and got to read an early version of the book. It’s a heartfelt book that inspires magic, love and aloha. This is a great chance to meet Pam, and sign up to receive the book when it’s released.

Sunday concludes the Koloa Plantation Days event with a Family Fun Run/Walk and ukulele competition. For more information, and a list of events visit the Koloa Plantation Days website.

Saturday, August 11

Kauai Nursery & Landscaping

Free Pest ID and Control workshop, 9 a.m.

Join master gardeners at Kauai Nursery & Landscaping for a free workshop on pests in the garden. Topics include diagnosing plant diseases with a certified landscape technician, and examining plant problems and learning solutions. If you have a pest, bring it in, or a small cutting of the problem for diagnosis.