No, the former American Idol finalist from Hawai'i wasn't exactly slinging dippin' strips at the company's Liliha restaurant this morning. But she was hosting a press conference announcing the release of her first CD-single "Flying Home," on sale only at Pizza Hut and Taco Bell locations statewide starting Feb. 27.

The single's release will coincide with the launch of a promotional campaign Trias is entering with Hawai'i Pizza Hut and Taco Bell restaurants. Bypassing retail music stores, the single will be available exclusively at all of the company's restaurants through April 3 for $1.99.

Jasmine Trias and Don Ho performed "Tiny Bubbles" during the halftime show of the 2005 Pro Bowl. Scott Morifuji • The Honolulu Advertiser

Trias has also filmed a 30-second television commercial for the company, which features her singing the song, surfing and strumming 'ukulele over a park lunch of Pizza Hut and Taco Bell with her family.

She'll also contribute her time to the company's community literacy programs.

"It's a pleasure to be doing somthing for the state of Hawai'i because you guys (were) my strongest backbone throughout the whole American Idol competition," said Trias. "I especially dedicate this song to Hawai'i because ... Hawai'i will always be my home.

"I always miss home when I'm away, so this song is pretty much about that."

A pretty if slightly saccharine ballad, "Flying Home" finds the natural warmth of Trias' pitch-perfect voice thankfully soaring over a soft rock, synth-heavy arrangement. The music and lyrics were written for Trias by Honolulu songwriter Kit Ebersbach.

Musically speaking, the song is about as safe as garden chicken pan pizza, and Trias knows it. No surprise, she's saving the R&B and soul she really craves singing for a full-length CD debut she's currently recording.

"'"The songs on my album will have a little bit more of an edge and be more mainstream," Trias said. "I love the songs. They're different. ... I'm R&B and soul all the way!"

Recording of that still-untitled disc started in late January with Los Angeles indie label Clockwork Entertainment.

Trias will return to L.A. next week to complete work on the CD. The record will be shopped to a larger label for distribution and should be out this summer.

"Flying Home" will not be on the full-length CD. And Trias has not written any of the songs on it.

"I'm not doing that this time around," said Trias. "We're trying to get the album out as soon as possible, (yet) not rush it. But I think I'll be writing my own stuff on my next record."

Make that her next next record.

In late March, Trias begins work on a full-length all-Tagalog disc for the Philippine market where her American Idol visibility and Filipino-ancestry have solidified her success. She speaks some Tagalog, but her vocals for the record will be done phonetically.

After that, "I'm hoping to come back and do a full album just for Hawai'i," said Trias. "So I'm working on three different markets."

Trias' American Idol commitments ended with the trio of sold-out all-star concerts at Blaisdell Arena in September. She hasn't been home for more than a month at at a time since, shuttling between recordings, rehearsals and live appearances in L.A., San Francisco, Guam and the Philippines.

Her lengthiest visit home was over the Christmas and New Year's holidays when she mostly "slept, tried to get downtime and shopped."

Now 18, Trias is still grateful for the boost American Idol gave her recording career, but relieved to be on her own.

"Being on my own drives me even more," said Trias. "Looking back at past seasons, Kelly Clarkson and Clay Aiken are making it far. And I don't want to be one of those people left in the dust. So I'm working really hard. I'm very ambitious.

"I think that the (former contestants) who don't push themselves out there like Kelly and Clay ... are probably just waiting for it to come to them. I don't want that. I just want to do it."