SATURDAY SCOOPS
Chef prepares you for tailgate season

By Wanda A. Adams
Advertiser Food Editor

Executive chef Jack Mead of Morton's, The Steakhouse, Honolulu, demonstrates how to prepare and grill food on the home turf and get the most out of the tailgating season. Photos by Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser

So what's executive chef Jack Mead doing in the parking lot at Ala Moana Center playing with briquets and a small home grill? Going the distance to help University of Hawai'i fans get the best out of tailgating season (or grilling-at-home season, for those who watch the game on pay-per-view). It's game day today at Aloha Stadium.

Mead offers these tips:

• Heat grill to 500-600 degrees; you shouldn't be able to hold your hand over the grill for any length of time. Have sufficient coals; they should be at least three-quarters ashed over (35 to 40 minutes).
• Make sure meats, fish and vegetables are thick enough (1 to 1 1/2 inch) to withstand some cooking time without burning, because it takes time to get that great, smoky flavor.
• Leave it alone. "The more you turn, the more you bruise the meat, the more the juices run out and you lose the flavor and moisture," said Mead. Use tongs, not a fork.
• Oil grill lightly and additionally oil seafood to prevent sticking.
• Marinate vegetables just a short while before grilling. Soaking skewers in water can prevent burning.

Reach Wanda Adams at wadams@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2412.

Chef Mead spices up grilling

For pork or chicken: In a small, dry, nonstick skillet over moderately low heat, toss together 1/2 teaspoon EACH fennel seeds, anise seeds, coriander seeds, cumin seeds and dill seeds, toasting until fragrant and shaking pan to prevent burning, about 2 minutes. Transfer to spice grinder or mortar and finely grind. Transfer to bowl and stir in 1 cup olive oil.

Marinate pork or chicken 6 to 9 hours, or firm-fleshed white fish 2 to 3 hours.

A weekend festival with the accent on the Okinawan

The annual Hawaii United Okinawan Association Festival takes over Kapi'olani Park this weekend with a parade, entertainment, food booths, crafts, bonsai, cultural exhibits and a grand bon dance (7 p.m. today). Hey, there's even a Hairy Chest Contest on the schedule (12:15 p.m. today) — woo hoo! Leading the entertainment lineup tomorrow are "American Idol" contestant Jordan Segundo (3 p.m.); vocalist Traci Toguchi (3:20 p.m.); and the strumming brothers Jake and Bruce Shimabukuro (3:40 p.m.).

Hours are 9 a.m.-9 p.m. today and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. tomorrow. Admission is free. huoa.org.

'Sunset ' features Steve Martin, Queen Latifah

Oh, go ahead: Make it a big day in Waikiki. After sampling the delights of the Okinawan festival at Kapi'olani Park, cross the street and take in the movie at "Sunset on the Beach."

Tonight's feature is "Bringing Down the House," the comedy starring Steve Martin as an uptight lawyer and Queen Latifah as the ex-con gal who loosens him up. Tomorrow's movie is this year's big winner at the Oscars — the musical "Chicago," starring Renee Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Richard Gere and (again!) Queen Latifah.

As always, there will be entertainment and food booths at "Sunset," which begins at 4 p.m. at Queen's Surf Beach. Admission is free.

How to celebrate the end of summer? Party hearty!

• Out Kapolei way is the "End of Summer Luau," featuring Mainland musical artists Frankie J and Stagga Lee at the Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park. It's $7 for the concert only, which starts at 6 p.m. today.
• At Jelly's in 'Aiea is a punk show, with bands Return to Innocence, Ever After, Until September, Insult to Injury, Pennylane and others. From 4:30 p.m. today and it's free.
• Go metal in a very heavy way from 9 p.m. today at Anna Bannanas. Bands include 2face4, Pit-Crew, The Miltons and Front. It's for those 21 and older. $6.
• Kemoo Farm in Wahiawa hosts a Labor Day Bash tomorrow, with 12 hours of live music from bands such as the ever-ready Go Jimmy Go, Pimpbot and Hellbound Hounds. From 2 p.m. For 21 and older. $10.
• Townies, rejoice! The Labor Day Weekend Sunday Bash at The Beach House, Pier 7, Aloha Tower Marketplace, features One More Round, Thick Tubes, Milo Shade, Kai Ako and Friends, Ho'onu'a and Koa'uka from 6 p.m. For 21 and older. $5.

Advertiser columnist, ex-local DJ take their acts to KTUH-FM

KONG

Kong is now based in Osaka, Japan. Lum used to have his own KTUH show called "Rough Take"; he expects to have other mystery guests on the air, too. Today's show is part of KTUH's ongoing "The Alumni Show."

Big Island offers two days of hula, music and fun

The Big Island is hosting the two-day HulaFest VII, which expects to draw 20,000 people to Wai'ohinu, in Ka'u. Part of the statewide Aloha Festivals, the all-Hawaiian HulaFest offers hula, chants, music, kids' games, food and crafts and is sponsored by He Kula Na Mea Hawai'i (A School of Things Hawaiian).

Raiatea Helm, Uluwehi Guerrero, Jerry Santos and a number of hula halau will perform at the celebration. The Aloha Festivals royal court is scheduled to appear at noon Sunday.

Hours are 9 a.m.-9 p.m. today and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. tomorrow. Admission is free. (808) 929-8700, www.hekula.org.

If you hurry, you can take a hike with your favorite doggie

Woof! If you're reading this really early, there's still time to join the Paws on the Path hike this morning in Kane'ohe.

Meet at 8:30 a.m. at the Likeke Trail (head for Kane'ohe on Kamehameha Highway; turn left on Kionaole, the road to Ko'olau Golf Course; go past the course and park at end of the road.)

Bring your furry pal, his/her leash, towels, snacks, water and those trusty plastic bags; sunscreen and rain gear for you.

The hike is sponsored by the Hawaiian Humane Society (there's usually a hike on the last Saturday of each month). It's free. www.hawaiianhumane.org.