The Kahala Hotel & Resort will host chef Liang Shu Neng from Okura Hotel Tokyo's Toh-Ka-Lin Restaurant as guest chef at Hoku's, 5:30 to 10 p.m. May 10-16. Liang has been termed a "culinary treasure" in Japan and received a medal of honor from the Japanese government in 2007. He is chef and executive director of Hotel Okura Tokyo and oversees a 200-item Cantonese menu, changed seasonally.

The restaurant specializes in generous portions for shared dining and this will be the case at Hoku's, with dishes such as marinated scallops and shrimp, hot pot, sweet-and-sour pork and an almond jelly dessert suitable for two.

The Plumeria Beach House will also showcase Okura Hotel culinary classics, including both Western and Japanese dishes, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. May 11-16. Okura specialties will also appear at the hotel's Mother's Day brunch May 10 in the Maile Ballroom. Reservations: 739-8760, restaurants@kahalaresort.com.

AT AUNTIE PASTO'S

CHEESE TAKES CENTER STAGE IN MAY

Auntie Pasto's at 1099 S. Beretania St. is hosting a CheeseFest now through May 31, with housemade cheeses such as mozzarella and dishes featuring all forms of cheese, from grilled-cheese sandwiches to whole-wheat pasta with mizithra cheese, spinach and sun-dried tomatoes. Dinner specials include owner Ed Wary's mother's own recipe for stuffed shrimp with three-cheese risotto. Even desserts will feature cheese: tiramisu with mascarpone and daily flavors of cheesecake. Reservations: 523-8855.