B on Hawaii

It’s that time of year again: The 11th annual Taste of Kapolei is an outdoor food and wine frenzy on Oahu’s leeward coast that features the cuisine of dozens of island chefs. With live entertainment under the stars and tastings of wine not typically attainable through public channels, the “Taste” commences on Saturday, September 18, 2010, at 5:30 p.m.

There are few things that typify the feeling of summer more so than taking in a Sunday polo match on O`ahu’s North Shore.

If you need an excuse to get out and eat on Maui, then here it is: Restaurant Week is back at Wailea, and the deals abound between Sunday, May 23 and Saturday, May 29, 2010. In addition, a portion of every prix-fixe menu at the sixteen participating restaurants will go towards feeding the hungry at Maui Food Bank.

For over 25 years, surf legend Randy Rarick has wrangled adrenaline-charged surfers, international crowds and a litany of corporate sponsors to bring us the Triple Crown of Surfing—the most important series of surf contests on the globe.

Sunday, March 21, marks the opening day of Hawaii's polo season. In true island style, this year's Hawaii Polo Club has upped the ante with an improved clubhouse, more food and beverage vendors during match play, and an energetic half-time and post-match entertainment line-up.

Roller Derby is back! On the heels of Drew Barrymore's feature film, Whip It, and a resurgence in all-things-retro, womens roller derby season hit Honolulu hard on March 6th at the outdoor roller hockey rink at Kamiloiki Community Park at the corner of Hawaii Kai Drive and Lunalillo Home Road. The event is free to the public, although donations are greatly appreciated.

As most retailers strive to remain open during these waning "hunker down" months, Michael Zhang has taken Blue Hawaii LifeStyle Café to unprecedented heights. This month, he opens a second location, at 1111 Bishop Street in downtown Honolulu, while plans for a third store, to open in San Francisco—are slated for May 2010.

Those that have been following the developments at Kapalua know that here, in one of the most spectacular locales on Maui (and the entire island chain), things have been evolving for the better part of two years.

Ever sat at the opera—or been singing in the shower—and thought: "Man, I've got some chops!" We've got some news for your ego: It's never too late to hone your vocal skills. To boot, you're significant other (and neighbors) might really appreciate you mastering that falsetto. Enter Jacqueline Quirk.

Large resort hotels don't need to go green. With corporate funding coming from overseas (and profits/losses headed in the same direction), there isn't much stigma for executive boards, chair people and shareholders to insist on sustainable processes.