Sam Choy is cooking for American Airlines.

Well, not really. But Choy, like other celebrity chefs, has overseen creation of a menu introduced last week to first-class passengers on American Airlines' Hawai'i flights — a nice way to anticipate your Island trip, or savor the last tastes of Hawai'i as you head home. (Flights are to and from Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Dallas/Fort Worth and Honolulu, Kahului, Lihu'e and Kona.)

Among the offerings: Mini macadamia pancakes with coconut syrup, Island-style braised short ribs, salad with spicy Asian dressing, tri-glazed chicken breast with sweet potato mash and white chocolate macadamia nut cookies baked fresh on board. Information: www.aa.com.

LAS VEGAS: ON THE RUN IN SIN CITY

Las Vegas expects to host 15,000 athletes for the city's marathon on Dec. 2. The race begins at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, passes New York-New York, the MGM Grand and the new Wynn Las Vegas, then heads down the Strip and through Downtown's Fremont Street Experience before returning to Mandalay Bay.

A fireworks display to the tune of Elvis Presley's "Viva Las Vegas" starts the action at 6 a.m. It's Vegas, baby.

Besides $400,000 in cash prizes, the marathon offers $2.5 million for any man or woman to break the world record, as well as $10,000 each to the first lucky locals across the finish line. And if that's not enough excitement you can get married or renew your wedding vows at mile 5 while running the race. www.run-thru-weddings.com

Spectators can also drop by the Marathon Expo at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center Dec. 1-3 and have a Vegas-style pasta buffet on the night before the race. If this makes your feet itch, check www.lvmarathon.com to register.

MOLOKA'I: IT’S ALL THINGS PANIOLO OCT. 19-20

Moloka'i shows off its paniolo heritage this month with the Paniolo Heritage Rodeo as part of the island's cultural festival.

Promoting the language, culture and skills of past and modern-day paniolo, events begin at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 19 and continue with the Paniolo Festival at 1 p.m. Oct. 20, with the rodeo starting at 6 p.m. Competing for trophy buckles and cash prizes, paniolo will come from the Big Island, Moloka'i, Maui and O'ahu for bull riding, tie-down roping, dally team roping, double mugging, wahine mugging, and wahine and keiki barrel racing. A Hawaiian banquet, of course, will follow the rodeo at 9 p.m. to honor winners. Entertainment, games and all things paniolo all weekend. The festival and rodeo are free. 808-552-2900.

October room rates for Molokai Ranch begin at $151 at the Beach Village and $202 for the Lodge, with shuttle service provided to the rodeo for hotel guests. 888-627-8082, info@molokairanch.com.