Taste of Honolulu 101: Go for grind

• Taste of Honolulu map (Adobe Acrobat PDF file)

By Wayne Harada and Catherine E. Toth
Advertiser Staff Writers

Ray Marzan from Gordon Biersch tossed the restaurant's signature pupu, garlic fries, at last year's Taste of Honolulu. Advertiser library photo 10th Annual Taste of Honolulu 2001 5-10 p.m. today, noon-10 p.m. Saturday, noon-7 p.m. Sunday Honolulu Civic Center grounds next to Honolulu Hale $3 (free for seniors and children under 12); scrip purchases required for food and drink 536-1015 or www.Easter SealsHawaii.org

Bring your appetite and your wallets — and wear comfy walking shoes — when you take in Taste of Honolulu, a culinary garden of eating, opening tonight and continuing through Sunday on the grounds of the Honolulu Civic Center.

Best advice: Watch what you eat or you'll overdo it. Scan the roster of participating restaurants and decide what you might want to sample. Then go ... and grind.

Here's what you need to know:

• Best time to go: As early as possible. The place will be really packed between 7 and 8 tonight, and Saturday gets busy at dinnertime, from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday has an earlier crowd, who chow down between 2 and 6 p.m. Downtownies should plan on walking over after work today, to avoid the pau hana traffic. Since there's a clutch of popular musical acts, too, expect throngs when the Makaha Sons entertain, from 6 to 7 p.m. Sunday. (See show schedule below.) Sunday likely will be busy from afternoon to dinner time, since it's the final day.
• Word to the wise: Think small portions. Most Taste servers know to dish out smaller portions, but some rookies may serve up more than you bargained for. The less you eat from one place, the more you can eat from every other place. Or share portions; an order of noodles can satisfy two people. This way, you can sample a lot more goodies.
• When you gotta "go": Restrooms are located in four locations, along Alapa'i and Punchbowl streets; some are portables, others are in the Municipal Building, with an additional mobile trailer available. Tip: Carry your own toilet paper, just in case.
• Expected crowds: Attendance should reach 50,000 over the weekend. That's a lot of elbows, nibbles and traffic.
• What to bring: Don't forget mats on which to sit, even beach chairs. And if you're planning on a daytime excursion, bring an umbrella or hat, and sunscreen. And yes, mauka showers can catch you off guard.
• Finally, hit the ATMs before heading to Taste; you'll need cash to purchase scrip required for your food and beverage purchases.
• What not to bring: Coolers (not allowed) or beverages and booze (wine-tasting is possible in the designated area, and margaritas may be consumed at Club Malibu); it will be possible to buy wine and beer, and navigate the food concessions, but you can't leave the fenced area.
• Newcomers: New to Taste is Diane's Boston's Best Seafood, Blue Tropix Restaurant & Nightclub, Niumalu Cafe & Bar, The Willows, Garden of Saigon and 3660 on the Rise.
• Star watch: Mario Lopez ("Pacific Blue") and Ali Landry (the Doritos Girl) will mingle with the crowd Saturday, with Landry doing a cooking demo from 7 to 8 p.m., so you may want to bring a camera or an autograph book. (Well, some do!).
• Sound advice: The musical fare should satisfy all appetites, with country (Dita Holifield & Detour South), Beach Boys tribute (Orange Colored Sky), reggae (Marty Dread), Hawaiian (Maunalua, 'Ale'a, Kapena, Robi Kahakalau), pop (Tino and the Rhythm Klub) and more.
• On the air: KHON Fox 2 will carry live broadcasts between 3 and 9 p.m. Saturday.
• Don't miss: The "Ready Set Cook!" competition at 7 p.m. Saturday. The event pairs up Landry with renowned local chef Russell Siu (3660 on the Rise, Kaka'ako Kitchen) to compete against City Council chairman Jon Yoshimura and executive chef Linda Yamada.
• Where to park: Parking is tricky. Get there early and park free in the Municipal Building lot on Beretania Street.

Other options:

• Bishop Square: $1 after 4 p.m. today and all day Saturday and Sunday.
• Ali'i Place: 25 cents an hour Saturday and Sunday.
• AMPCO Parking, Beretania and Bishop streets: Rates as posted.
• City lot, Pali Highway and Beretania Street: Metered $1 an hour.
• Queen's Physician Office Building II: $2 an hour today and Saturday, free on Sunday.
• Alakea bus lot: Free after 6 p.m. today, Saturday and Sunday.
• Neal Blaisdell Center: $3 all day today, Saturday and Sunday.
• One Kapi'olani Building: $2 all day Saturday and Sunday.
• Diamond Lot, Queen and South streets: $2 after 5 p.m. today, $2 all day Saturday and Sunday.

Safety/health tips: Tuck a few bandages in your wallet or purse, just in case. A bottle of water could quench your thirst. If you bring a toddler in a stroller, navigate cautiously through the crowd, particularly at night when lighting isn't good. For youngsters, a flashlight might be helpful to avoid tree roots on the lawn.

Additional advice: Catch TheBus to avoid the parking mess, or car pool to minimize traffic. A pack of Tums or soda mint might ease your journey home.

Feel good: The $3 admission fee will directly support the Easter Seals Children's Program. So indulge. It's for a good cause.

The Makaha Sons, from left, Jerome Koko, John Koko and Louis "Moon" Kauakahi, will perform music to nosh by. Advertiser library photo

Taste of Honolulu 2001 offers entertainment tonight through Sunday on two stages.

The schedule:

MAIN STAGE

Today

• 5 p.m.: blessing
• 6 p.m.: Kapena
• 7 p.m.: Hula Joe & the Hutjumpers
• 8 p.m.: Touch of Gold
• 9 p.m.: Tino and the Rhythm Klub

Saturday

• Noon: Dita Holifield & Detour South, with Kanoa Goo
• 1 p.m.: Mana 'Ohana
• 2 p.m.: Ilona Irvine
• 3 p.m.: Bob Jones & Hard Drive
• 5 p.m.: Rocky Brown
• 6 p.m.: Orange Colored Sky
• 6:40 p.m.: Daniel Ho & Friends
• 7:40 p.m.: Best of Taste Awards
• 8 p.m.: Robi Kahakalau
• 9 p.m.: Orange Colored Sky

Sunday

• Noon: Namahana
• 1 p.m.: DisGuyz
• 2 p.m.: Korilynn Kuni
• 3 p.m.: Maunalua
• 4 p.m.: 'Ale'a
• 5 p.m.: Natural Vibrations
• 6 p.m.: Makaha Sons

FAMILY CENTER STAGE

Saturday:

• 1 p.m.: Fresh Impact
• 2 p.m.: Waimanalo 'Ukulele
• 3 p.m.: Okinawan taiko
• 4:15 p.m.: Olena Blend
• 5 p.m.: Riya Davis & Billie Takaki
• 6 p.m.: Brazilian Capoeira

Sunday:

• Noon: Team High
• 1 p.m.: Country dancers
• 2 p.m.: Hula Halau O Leilani
• 3 p.m.: Marty Dread
• 4 p.m.: Hyper Squad