• By request of its customers, Foodland Markets has released "Maika'i Favorites," a selection of popular recipes from the chain's monthly Maika'i Rewards booklet. The recipes are easy, cater to the local palate and include such popular dishes as mochiko chicken and furikake party mix. The book sells for $5 plus tax or is free with redemption of My Rewards certificates at Foodland and Sack N Save stores. This one's a cut above the usual community cookbook in that it's printed on high-quality, slick stock and includes color photos of each recipe.

• The "Kauai Marriott Resort and Beach Club Associate Cookbook," benefiting a variety of charities on Kaua'i and statewide, sells for $10 at the concierge desk of the hotel on Kalapaki Beach, or call Andrew Newmark at the hotel, (808) 245-5050. The book, aimed at visitors to the hotel looking for a little local flavor, and full of very Island-style recipes from staff members (called "associates" at the hotel), their families and the hotel's chefs, begins with a guide to Kaua'i place names and a short pidgin dictionary.

All the books are spiral-bound.

Kapalua festival to be held July 4-7

Dates for the 21st annual Kapalua Food & Wine Festival on Maui have been set for July 4-7, and master sommelier Andrea Immer will again hold the event, which changed its name and focus slightly last year when she came on board. Immer is completing her second book, "Andrea Immer's Wine Buying Guide for Everyone," due out from Broadway Books in May. She brings a no-nonsense, enjoyment-driven focus to the seminars, tastings, winemaker dinner and signature events that make up the popular annual event. Information: (800) KAPALUA or kapaluawineandfood.com.

Chefs collaborate on 'Aloha' events

"Cooking with Aloha," a series of hands-on cooking classes and farm tours on the island of Hawai'i, is a collaboration of chef Linda Gemignani of Divine Catering Co., Merry Barton of Merry's Herb Garden in Waimea and Michele Gamble of the Palms Cliff House Bed and Breakfast in Honomu on the Hamakua Coast. The dates for the weekend-long courses are Jan. 25-27, March 1-3, March 22-24 and April 26-28. Cost is $37 for three days of classes, most meals and farm tours. Or you may just take the individual classes, held at the Palms Cliff House, and pay for those separately (individual fees are not yet set). Accommodations are not included.

The idea, according to Barton, is to encourage the use of local, seasonal, mostly organic and sustainably raised produce, meat and fish. Events include a Friday evening welcoming party, Saturday tour and harvest followed by a picnic, cooking class and dinner and Sunday class and brunch. Information: (808) 887-2999 or barton.mj@verizon.net.

Kaka'ako Kitchen sells holiday gifts

Kaka'ako Kitchen, Russel Siu's upscale plate lunch spot, has turned itself into a bit of a gift shop for the holidays. They're selling T-shirts ($15), Kaka'ako Kitchen cookie mix ($12.50 per bag), sauces in a variety of flavors ($5 a bottle), Chef Siu's Hawaiian Blend Coffee ($7.50 for a 7-ounce bag), goodie baskets ($50; 24-hour notice recommended) and Siu's "On the Rise Cookbook" ($25). Kaka'ako Kitchen also has platters of pastry chef Lisa Siu's desserts for holiday parties ($26) and gift certificates in increments of $10.