Wayne's world: At Hoku's, an 'Ilima winner for best dining, chef Wayne Hirabayashi prepares the recommended salt-crusted rack of lamb for two. Advertiser libray photo

Hoku's   Rooms with a view often mean less-than-mesmerizing food, but Hoku's gets A's for the panorama and the cooking which in turn has earned it best fine-dining honors two years in a row (you voted it best hotel restaurant for a bunch of years before that). One of the most beautiful dining rooms on the island high-ceilinged, dotted with artwork, with walls of windows that frame the view of the blue sea Hoku's is guided by chef Wayne Hirabayashi. Highly recommended: the salt-crusted rack of lamb for two, wild mushroom and truffle consomme, the butter-poached lobster “Hoku's-dor.”  Kahala Hotel and Resort, 500 Kahala Ave. 739-8780, 739-8888. 5:30-10 p.m. daily. Reservations recommended. Valet and self-parking. AX, DC, DS, JCB, MC, VS. $$$$.