B on Hawaii

This Wednesday, June 13, 2012, a considerable amount of magic will unfold on the sugar sand beaches (and nearby climes) of Wailea, Maui. So will begin the 13th Annual Maui Film Festival—the brain child of Barry Rivers—and the unofficial pride of West Maui that enables A-list celebrities to rub elbows with the rest of us along a bucolic stretch of paradise (we really wanted to use another word here, but none fits as aptly).

Any chance we get to write about Lana‘i, we’re more than thrilled to do so. Tickled pink, one of a certain generation might say. On the weekend of January 13 - 15, 2012, the Four Seasons Resorts Lana‘i will host the Lanai Jazz Festival. From the highland climes of the Lodge at Koele, bebop and swing will drift among the kiawe-scented air, while cool licks and walking bass lines will emanate from the shores of Hulopoe and the Manele Bay Resort.

Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, who operates a signature eatery at the Waikiki Parc, is serving up a lovely little gift to the residents and visitors of O‘ahu this winter; lunch service. From Monday through Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the eatery will feature legacy hot and cold dishes, a full sushi bar, donburi, noodles and combination plates

Are you a glamour gal (or guy) always on the lookout for an occasion to don your ball gown (or tuxedo) and hobnob with other such fabulously like-minded folk? Even better—do you like to eat, drink and be entertained in the name of a good cause? Then by all means, consider heading to the Halekulani on Oscar Night where you’ll have the opportunity to walk the red carpet, swill top tier cocktails and view a telecast of the 84th Academy Awards.

We wanted to alert culinarians to a special time in Honolulu—thanks to the quick thinking (and palate tantalizing) of one Chef George Mavrothalassitis. Indeed, the man who refuses to let our taste buds squander but a few days without some form of classic cookery bedazzled down to its rawest form and reborn with an island tinge... has a new offering.
Prior to either your three, four or six-course tasting menu, diners can opt for a caviar tasting and presentation worthy of royalty.

There’s still time to head over to Wailea to indulge in some hefty “Restaurant Week” binge eating and, without question, the eating is good. Having seen significant growth throughout the years since the posh folks in Wailea launched the effort has proven that the effort is worth repeating. Pre-fixe menus range from $29 to $39 or $49 dollars, depending on venue and items ordered.

Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows will host a historic culinary event in early 2011, when James Beard Foundation's "The Celebrity Chef Tour" stops-off here on January 21st and 22nd. Spotlighted chefs Michael Symon (star of Iron Chef America and restaurateur, Cleveland's Lola and Lolita ) and Jonathan Waxman (author and star of Top Chef Masters, also owner of Barbuto in NYC's West Village) will anchor the foodie event.

We’ve said it before: This dismal economy has its silver linings. Today, it comes in the form of a stellar “stay-cation” for kama‘aina interested in heading to the Valley Isle between now and the end of the year. Kapalua, Maui is the destination.

While we like to make a practice of covering events yet-to-come in order to give esteemed readers the opportunity to attend them, this “wrap up” of a just-passed culinary extravaganza from Jean-George’s Kauai Grill at the St. Regis Princeville is well worth the space. Trumpeting their one-year anniversary last week, the resort’s food and beverage team paired with Kauai Grill chef de cuisine Colin Hazama to bring locals and hotel guests a truly innovative menu that celebrated the notion of maintaining a Hawaiian ahupua‘a.

Eager to spread the word that the Spa at Trump is open for business as a day spa, the swank locale is opening its doors on December 7, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., for an open preview of treatments, available on a first-come basis. Having attended one of these events earlier this month, we can safely say it’s a worthy few hours of pampering, which is sure to initiate a few long-term followers.