QUICK BITES
Lili'uokalani lu'au
By Wanda A. Adams
Advertiser Food Editor
Queen Lili'uokalani's 165th birthday will be commemorated with a Grand Lu'au, 4 to 8 p.m. Sept. 28 at 'Iolani Palace.
The event will depict a turn-of-the-century lu'au that may have been held on the palace grounds, including traditional Hawaiian food and performance of the queen's music. The menu — a re-creation from one of King Kalakaua's lavish birthday parties — includes squid lu'au, poke, crab, kalua turkey and kalua pig.
Tickets are $50. The first 300 people to buy tickets will receive a membership in the Friends of 'Iolani Palace, a $35 value. Table sponsorships are available at $5,000, $10,000 and $15,000. Money raised will benefit the palace's educational and restoration work. Details: 522-0822.
From North Shore
The first Re-Discover North Shore product fair is taking place this week at all four Daiei stores (Kaheka, Waipahu, Kailua, Pearl City), with displays and demonstrations from North Shore farms and food producers.
Among the participating farms: Kahuku Farms (watermelon, papaya, Japan eggplant, apple banana, mangoes), May's Wonder Garden (hydroponic produce), Sugarland Farm (bananas), A&V Farm (corn), Hau'ula Farm (hydroponic tomatoes), You Produce (Japan cucumber, mini bell pepper, bittermelon, Chinese squash lu'au leaf), Lum Produce (lotus root), Milner Farm (Tokyo negi, giant green onion), Oils of Aloha (nut oils), Alluvion Inc. (potted plants, flowers, lei, gift baskets).
Neighbor Islands
Pineapple party
In celebration of Hawai'i's state fruit, the Maui Fresh Fruit Store will present the third annual Maui Pineapple Picnic, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the old pineapple plantation village of Hali'imaile.
Local and gourmet foods will be provided by neighborhood restaurants, including the Hali'imaile General Store and Hana Hou Cafe. There will be samples of Hawaiian Gold and organic pineapple, Maui Fresh Fruit Store's pineapple-papaya salsa and Surfing Goat Dairy's various cheeses.
Entertainment will include music by Eric Gilliom and Sounds of Samoa, hula performances, a magic show and pony rides. Rounding out the festivities are plantation tours, a pineapple dessert contest, farmers' market and craft fair.
Admission is free. For information: (808) 573-5129.
Big Island taste fest
The Big Island's agriculture, its people and its community pride will be showcased at the 8th annual A Taste of the Hawaiian Range, 6 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 26 on the Paniolo Grounds of the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel.
More than 30 executive chefs from Hawai'i and chefs from the Mainland will prepare dishes using Big Island forage-raised animals: veal, beef, lamb, mutton, goat, venison, pork and the festival's signature item, Kohala Mountain Oysters.
The all-you-can-eat affair will also include vegetarian dishes, Kona coffee and desserts with locally-grown tropical fruits.
Price: $25 in advance, $35 at the door. Information: (808) 322-4892.
Quick Bites is published on Wednesdays. Send tidbits of food news to food editor Wanda A. Adams, The Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802; wadams@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2412.
