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By Craig T. Kojima, Star-Bulletin
Happy Mochi should bring a smile to the face
of your favorite Hawaii expatriate.
Roy Nakashima and his partners, wife Kathy and Clyde Matsuwake, developed Happy Mochi in a Tub and have sold 7,000 of the snack kits since craft-sale season began a little over a month ago.
Packed in a plastic tofu-type container, the kits contain a plastic bag of mochi mix, a cup, knife and bag of potato starch. You use the cup to measure water, which you pour into the mix, squish it around in the bag, then pour into the container. Microwave, then remove, cut with the knife and dredge in the starch. It tastes just like the real thing.
Happy Mochi weighs just 6 ounces, Nakashima says, and can be mailed for less than $2. It sells for $3.50.
This weekend it'll be sold at craft fairs at Aliiolani and Manoa schools. Beginning next week, you can find it at Shirokiya and Marukai stores. Or call 621-0347.
Sunset Grill sold: Fred Livingston, owner of Matteo's Trattoria, Davey Jones Ribs and Crouching Lion Inn, has purchased Sunset Grill in Restaurant Row.Richard and Monene Bradley, who opened the eatery in 1988, are moving to St. Helena in California's Napa Valley.
Livingston said he has no plans for major changes at the restaurant.
Check-Out Hunger:You're already spending lots of cash at the grocery store, what's a few dollars more?
Through Jan. 16, shoppers can pick up a "Check-Out Hunger" certificate at the checkstand of several supermarkets and add $1 or $5 to their bill - the money to be passed on to the Hawaii Foodbank.
Participating grocers:Safeway, Times, Tamura's and Kokua Market. Last year, Oahu shoppers donated more than $35,000.
Dinner and the ballet: Providing the sugar plums and other dishes for Ballet Hawaii's opening-night "Nutcracker" gala are eight big-name restaurants, as well as Bubbie's Homemade Ice Cream parlor.
The on-stage party follows the 7:30 p.m. performance of the ballet on Friday at the Blaisdell Concert Hall.
Serving up their specialties will be Hoku's, Indigo, A Pacific Cafe, Roy's, 3660 on the Rise, Hilton Hawaiian Village, Palomino Euro Bistro and Padovani's Bistro and Wine Bar.
Tickets are $100. For reservations call Ballet Hawaii, 988-7578.
The ballet will also be performed Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets to those shows are $15 to $45, with a $5 discount for students and seniors. Tickets are available at the Blaisdell box office and TicketPlus outlets.
