"It's definitely a tearjerker," Mueller said of the essay that paid tribute to the writer's late mother. "Now that's a Hallmark commercial."

Open to all ages, the "Mother of the Year" essay contest is the brainchild of Wendy Higgins, manager for Hallmark's Pearlridge stores in Phase 1 and 2.

"We definitely have a box of tissue at hand when we read these essays," said Higgins, whose husband, Dean Higgins, is the manager for Sam Choy's BLC. "I even get chicken skin sometimes when I'm reading about these mothers and everything that they do for their families."

Submission forms can be picked up and dropped off at Sam Choy's BLC or at one of the four Mark's Hallmark locations, including at Kahala Mall, Windward Mall, and Pearlridge Phase 1 and 2.

"We'll probably get about 1,000 entries," Higgins said. "We get a lot of heartfelt essays, so it's not easy singling one out. In my opinion, they're all special in their own way."

All essays must be submitted by this Wednesday, with the grandprize winner being notified on Friday.

"The lucky mother will love it," said Cheryl Robertson, Hallmark's regional manager. "They can go on a $250 shopping spree at any one of our locations. And with Father's Day coming up, I'm sure they can find something for him at the stores."

The winner will also receive dinner for eight — sorry, can't be used for Mother's Day — at Sam Choy's BLC.

"I liked the essay-writing contest when Wendy first did it five years ago," Dean Higgins said. "It's a cool contest that I thought BLC needed to be involved with since we like to stress ohana here."

Once the winner is chosen, Dean Higgins plans to post the winning essay on each BLC table.

"But, I won't be able to get them out before Mother's Day," he said. "It's too bad because it would have been a nice touch for the occasion."

For Mother's Day, the restaurant will roll out two buffets to honor moms.

Brunch will be available from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at a tariff of $27.95 for adults and $13.95 for keiki.

Chafing dishes will be overflowing with Alaskan snow crab legs, poke and seafood Newburg. A made-to-order omelet station, carving table of roast steamship round and make-your-own sundaes will also be featured.

"We're probably going to have about 1,800 people come through here that day," Dean Higgins said. "It'll be intense. But we'll keep up with the crowd. They'll eat, we'll fill."

Dinner will be served from 4 to 8:30 p.m. and will cost $29.95 for adults and $15.95 for kids.

The lineup will showcase such items as slow-roasted prime rib, Alaskan crab legs, salmon Wellington, poke station, roast turkey, fresh cakes and pies, and an international assortment of salads.