NEWS:

Hukilau Lanai

Hukilau Lanai bartender John Scott. Daniel Lane photo

We had a chance to stop by the Hukilau Lanai for lunch, and I’m glad we did! We sat at the bar, next to the pool, with a view of the ocean, and enjoyed a ginormous meatball sub for $5.95. You can’t beat that price for well made food on Kauai! Imagine three tender meatballs nestled in chewy bread that is made in-house, and topped with a savory tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese. The lunch special changes every day. Tomorrow, starting at 11:30 they’ll have Teriyaki Burgers for $5.95. Follow the Hukilau Lanai Facebook page to keep up with specials.

Verde

Speaking of lunch, Verde now has a $6.95 single taco lunch with rice and beans that promises to be fresh and fast.

The Feral Pig

This week’s beer on tap at The Pig is a collaboration between Maui Brewing Company and Ann Arbor Michigan’s Jolly Pumpkin Brewing. It’s made with Michigan cherries and Hawaii lillikoi. There were only 400 barrels brewed, and you can only get it at The Pig. The cost is $6.50 for a 12 ounce beer goblet. They also just got Templeton whiskey in. Owner and bartender Dave Power says the small-batch brand is allegedly the whiskey of choice for a certain Al Capone.

And just incase you don’t know yet, The Pig is the Best Cell Phone Waiting Area for Lihue airport.

The Kōloa Rum Company

National Mai Tai Day Sale Friday, June 29  through Sunday, July 1. To celebrate National Mai Tai Day which is on Saturday, Kōloa Rum will be having a 20 percent off sale at the store at Kilohana. Check out their eStore for discounts on Tiki Tees, tanks and non-alcoholic Mai Tai Mix. The coupon code is “maitai”. Any questions? Call the store 808-246-8900, or email info@koloarum.com.

The Right Slice

Summer is when fruit explodes on the island. Not literally, but you know, on trees. Mountain apples are one of my favorites, and they’re finally in season. And the bakers at The Right Slice have the delicate, rose scented fruit folded into buttery pie crust. Dreamy. We got a baby pie last night, and it’s delicious! They still have some left, but they’re going to go fast. They will be closed on the 4th at the shop, but will be at the Kukui’ula Culinary Market that evening from 4 to 6 p.m.

Midnight Bear Breads

For those of you on the North Shore, you’ll be happy to know that Midnight Bear Breads is delivering their fresh-baked bread to Harvest Market in Hanalei on Saturdays. they even have a line of gluten-free brad. Get ‘em while they’re hot!

Monkeypod Jam

This Saturday at the KCC Farmers Market, Monkeypod Jam will have some lychee jam and mountain apple sauce. Master canner and expert jam maker Aletha Thomas says to come early.

Growing Strong Farm

Tomatoes are difficult to grow on Kauai. The fruit fly stings them, and all your hard work goes to the bugs. Since I moved here, I don’t eat tomatoes like I used to. The ones shipped here taste like cardboard. Yuck. But when I hear a farmer has managed to grow some, I try my best to get ’em.

Somehow, Dylan Strong grows big beautiful ones right here on Kauai. One trick is to baby them like crazy, by shielding them from the bugs. Right now he’s got red and orange tomatoes going off. Visit him at Wednesday’s Kapaa Farmers Market and get yourself some of these beauties. But, you know, come early!

Kealia Farmers Market

The market will be closed this Sunday, June 24, while the “Take the Challenge” Kealia Surf Festival and Luau take place.

The two-day surf competition (June 23-24) includes: Men’s, Women’s, and Keiki Divisions — Short board, Long board and Stand up paddle board. Entry is $40 in advance, $60 on the beach. Entry includes one Free T-shirt, and one Luau Ticket.

The June 24 luau and awards celebration takes place from 5 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $40 in advance, or $50 at the door. Traditional Hawaiian food, prizes, and amazing entertainment from Titus Kinimaka & the Kauai Boys, Frankie Malamas and the Boys, Na Hulu O Kaohikukapolani, The Papaa Bay Boys, The SI-Ladies, and Twenty 20. Call 808-635-5091, or email kealiashopgirl@yahoo.com for tickets, or come on down and buy them in person.

EVENTS:

June 27 – 30

Red Clay Jazz Festival

The 5th Annual Red Clay Jazz Festival, is in full swing. The ocean-view outdoor setting is at Kauai Lagoons, and features Miss E.C. Scott and the Venissa Santi Sextet. Meet the artists at party at Common Ground in Kilauea on Friday. The main concert is late afternoon and evening on Saturday.

The Hukilau Lanai will be serving up New Orleans inspired dishes on Friday, June 29 at Kauai Lagoons.

On Saturday, Chef Guy Higa of the Kauai Marriott Resort will have Kauai Fresh Farms salad with choice of Wailua lilikoi papaya seed dressing, Kauai honey tahini yogurt sauce or salsa fresca vinaigrette. Vegan bean burgers, tofu cutlets, chickpea quinoa burgers and Asian jerk chicken with sesame slaw on Kauai greens will also be available. Guy will donate proceeds to help music in the schools.

Small Town Coffee

It’s time for a lil’ hootenanny! Stop by around 7 p.m., if the weather’s good they’ll play music outside on the lawn.

Saturday, June 30

Intro to Beekeeping

Kauai Community College, $45

This two session course will focus on building your own hive equipment to get your apiary started. Students will learn about shop and tool safety, and the various techniques used to construct wooden hive equipment which is essential to beekeeping.

Participants will build their own equipment using KCC Carpentry shop tools after learning which type and style of apiary equipment is desired. Building plans for traditional Langstroth Hives and Top Bar Hives will be presented and used for the course.

Participants will not need to provide tools, but will need to provide their own materials for the hive equipment which they wish to build. Instruction and guidance will be provided for operating wood working tools safely and for the efficient use of materials.

Hive boxes, bottom and top boards and hive stands will be constructed during this course. Factory milled frames will be assembled for demonstration purposes.

Classes are June 30, and July 7 or August 4, and August 11. To register call the Office of Continuing Education (OCET) 245-8318

Tuesday, July 3

Stars & Stripes Freedom Celebration

Pacific Missile Range Facility Barking Sands, Free, 5 to 11 p.m.

All friends and supporters of PMRF are invited. The event will be held on the grounds of Shenanigans restaurant. Popular Kauai band Greenstone Project will open the show, followed by Revival and Na Hoku Hanohano award winner Anuhea.

There will be a heart-pounding fireworks display, and The Quake Kauai will fuel the “after party”. Food, games and craft booths will be available throughout the event.

PMRF’s Commanding Officer, Captain Nicholas Mongillo will be on hand to welcome everyone and speak to the importance of Independence Day.

Enter the base through the Kokole Point gate (adjacent to the county landfill) on Kaumualii Highway beginning at 4 p.m. Watch for signs on the highway for directions. Free parking will be available on base, although visitors are reminded that all vehicles will be subject to search. Seat belts must be worn by all drivers and passengers of vehicles while on base, no riding in pickup beds will be allowed.

No outside food or beverages, coolers, tents, pets, weapons (including knives of all types) or personal fireworks allowed. All backpacks are subject to search and beach umbrellas can be used. This is a Drug-Free event. For more information on this event, please call (808) 335-4346.

Wednesday, July 4

Kekaha Fourth of July Celebration

H.P. Faye Park, Free, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

E Ola mau Na Leo O Kekaha (Forever-Live on the Voices of Kekaha) community members celebrate the 4th of July with a day of ohana games and activities, cultural demonstrations, talent show, food booths, game booths crafts and rides plus a spectacular fireworks show. A Pule and Anthems will start the day. From 7 to 9 a.m. is the Fun Run and Zumba fest. Event begins at 10 a.m. at H.P. Faye Park, across the Kekaha Neighborhood Center.

23rd Annual Concert in the Sky

Vidinha Stadium Soccer Field, 4 to 9:30 p.m.

$10, Adults; $5 children 6-12, free for kids 5 and under.

This is the annual fundraiser for Kauai Hospice. Entertainment includes Na Leo, Greenstone Project, The Wheels, Ivo Monroe Miller, Rakudo Taiko and Ori Uvita Tahitian Dance Troupe. Expect ono grinds, (Guy Higa will be serving here also), fun zone with inflatables, face painting, massages, silent auction, fireworks, and a chance to win a trip for two to Las Vegas. At door tickets cost $15 adults, and $7 children 6-12.

Sunday, July 8

JoAnn Yukimura Fundraiser

Smith’s Tropical Paradise, 4 to 7 p.m., $15 (suggested donation)

JoAnn Yukimura’s family has been on Kauai for four generations. She has been deeply involved in Kauai’s politics since 1974, and is running for reelection to the County Council. If reelected, some of Yukimura’s goals are to get off oil, achieve zero waste, provide permanently affordable housing, protect ag land and water, and improve county parks. The fundraiser promises good food, fun, music and dancing. For more information, visit JoAnn Yukimura’s website.