SPECIAL

MONTHLY RECIPE CONTEST, offered by Don Ho's Island Grill, Aloha Tower Marketplace, each month on a different theme; winning recipe (must be original with an 'Island flair" matching restaurant's menu) will be featured as a monthly special. Entry: drop off typed recipe, name, address and telephone number at the restaurant; information: 528-0807.

"BUILDING A LOCAL BUSINESS NETWORK," lecture by Claire Sullivan, head of procurement (including local farm and ranch products) for Whole Foods Market, to luncheon meeting of Hawaii Society of Corporate Planners, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. March 19, Hawai'i Prince Hotel Waikiki, Mauna Kea Ballroom; reservations by March 13: Roberta Cullen, 537-2356, www.HSCP.org.

"CIAO BELLA KAHALA," Italian feast and wine pairings, and afternoon tasting seminar, March 13 and 14, The Kahala Hotel Resort; fees; reservations: 739-8760:

• Five course Ciao Bella Kahala feast, 5:30-10 p.m., March 13 and 14, Hoku's restaurant; $80 (a la carte menu also available).

• Wine tasting by sommelier Silvio di Silvio, including wines from Fruili, Piedmont, Tuscany and Sicily, 2-4 p.m. March 14, Wai'alae Ballroom.

"SHADE COFFEES," one of "A Gourmet's Guide to Coffee" workshop series, with Shawn Steiman, author of "The Hawai'i Coffee Book," 2:30-4:30 p.m. March 14, ING Direct Cafe, Waikiki; free; 955-1435.

BEACHHOUSE AT THE MOANA WINEMAKER'S DINNER, wine reception, 6 p.m., and dinner, 6:30 p.m., pairing dinner menu with wines by Robert Cook of Chalone Vineyards, March 16, Moana Hotel, $95; 921-4600.

CORNED BEEF CABBAGE COOK-OFF, served with Irish soda bread, green beer and red wine, 4;30-6:30 p.m. March 17, The Wine Stop; free; 946-3707.

MARKETS

Farmers Market, 7:30 a.m.- 3 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays; Hawaii Kai Towne Center; free; 396-0766.

Waikiki Farmers Market, 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays; Waikiki Community Center parking lot; free; 923-1802.

FARMERS MARKET, with fresh Island cuisine and local natural/organic produce, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., first and third Tuesdays monthly; Bank of Hawaii Waikiki Center (formerly Kalakaua Business Center/Mitsukoshi Building); free; 924-2155.

TOURS, TASTINGS & CLASSES

A Cook's Tour of Chinatown, Walter Rhee leads a tour of Downtown markets, 8:30-10:30 a.m. Saturdays; meet near Hawaii National Bank between King and Smith streets; $20. Also: CHINATOWN EATERIES TOUR, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturdays; meet at same location; $69. Information: www.waltereatshawaii.com; reservations: 391-1550, walter@waltereatshawaii.com.

FREE WINE TASTINGS, 3:30-5:30 p.m. Saturdays, R. Field Wine Co., Foodland Shopping Center, Kailua; 261-3358.

WHOLE FOODS MARKET VALUE TOURS, with focus on shopping on a budget, 11 a.m., most Saturdays; the Kahala store; free; 738-0820.

WEEKLY WINE EVENTS: Brasserie Du Vin, 1115 Bethel St.; limited seating, reservations required; 545-1115:

• Dinner/wine pairing, 6 p.m. Mondays; $49 (tax and tip additional); no menu substitutions.

• Wine Tasting Club, with different weekly themes and available meat/cheese plates, appetizers and happy-hour prices, 6 p.m. Tuesdays; $20 (tax and tip additional).

COMPLIMENTARY WINE TASTINGS, with different themes every week, 1-5 p.m. Saturdays; and Pau Hana Wine & Cheese Tastings, 4-8 p.m. second and third Fridays; The Wine Stop; free; 946-3707.