Seafood celebrations

Hawaii is the perfect place to showcase what the sea provides, so why not devote a day or a week or a perpetual buffet to fish and shellfish and whatnot?

Hoku's at the Kahala Mandarin Oriental is holding a "Shellfish Extravaganza" through Saturday, featuring special menu items including Kahuku prawns, king crab cakes and pork loin stuffed with crab. For dessert, a decidedly nonfishy Chocolate Crunch Tower. Call 739-8780.

The Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel on the Big Island's Kohala Coast has just launched a seafood buffet at its Ocean Terrace Restaurant. On the menu: jumbo chilled shrimp, steamed mussels and clams, conch chowder, oysters on the half shell and more. Served 6-9 p.m. Friday through Tuesday. Cost is $38 for adults; $19 for children. Call (808) 880-3192.

Lost and hungry?

Let's say you are in a strange city and suddenly become painfully nostalgic for pau hana time back home. Chances are you won't find a poke platter to accompany your Budweiser, but you could find something else familiar.

T.G.I. Friday's has launched a "restaurant locator," allowing anyone with an Internet-capable mobile phone or palm organizer to determine the location of the nearest Friday's.

The information, the chain says, is available to Web cruisers in 100 countries, even those who have never heard of the TGIF concept -- Burundi, for instance.

The wireless application may be downloaded from the chain's Web site, www.fridays.com.

Wine and food events

Winez and Grindz: Sous Chef Neil Nakasone presents a five-course wine dinner built around an entree he calls Fish Sticks -- a three-piece tempura plate with fried shiso (served with Emerich Schlonleber Riesling Kabinett 1998), 5 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Pineapple Room at Liberty House Ala Moana. Also on the menu: "Stacked" poke, shrimp and shiitake ravioli, roast duck salad and a dessert sampler. Cost is $49 per person; $64 with wine pairings.

California Power Hour: Angie Di Ulio of Better Brands presents a tasting of California wines from Fetzer, Kendall Jackson and Beaulieu Vineyard, 5 to 6:30 p.m. Friday. Sam Choy's Diamond Head. Cost is $20. Call 732-8645.

Good food, good works

Hale Aina Golf Tournament: This event traditionally combines golf with upscale eating, for the benefit of culinary programs at Hawaii's community colleges. Tee-off is 10 a.m. at the Hawaii Prince Golf Club for a chance at $5,000 in cash and prizes. The post-play party features tasting stations serving the foods of chefs D.K. Kodama, Glenn Chu, Alan Wong and Fred D'Angelo. Cost is $200 or $800 for a four-player team. Call 234-0404.

Taste of the Stars: Also benefiting student chefs, specifically those at Leeward Community College, is this May 5 event held on campus and featuring 14 stations serving signature dishes of such top local chefs as Roy Yamaguchi and Alan Wong. Tickets are $65 in advance, $75 at the door -- and this is a grazing event, which means it's all you can eat, and all the wine, beer or martinis you can drink, too. Call 455-0392.

Kapiolani Children's Miracle Network Benefit: The "Fandango" features mariachi entertainment and a silent auction hosted by KITV anchor Dan Cooke, 5 to 8 p.m. May 2, Compadres Bar & Grill. Cost is $50 and includes two drinks and pupu. Proceeds go toward buying a critical-care crib for Kapiolani Medical Center. Call 535-7112.

Cuisines of the Sun

The ultimate extravagance for foodies is Cuisines of the Sun, planned this year for July 21 to 25 at the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows. The all-star lineup of chefs includes these husband-wife pairs: Ben and Karen Barker of Magnolia Grill in North Carolina, Hiro Sone and Lissa Doumani from Terra, Napa Valley, and Johanne Killeen and George Germon of Al Forno in Rhode Island.

Hawaii's James Beard Foundation Award winners, Alan Wong and Roy Yamaguchi, will appear alongside such celebrity chefs as Lee Hefter of Spago's Beverly Hills and George Morrone of San Francisco's Fifth Floor.

The many Cuisines events are separately priced, or take the full package, including hotel room, for $2,215. Call (888) 424-1977.

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Attention all bosses:
Secretary's Day approaches

Wednesday is the day set aside to honor the person who keeps the office organized all year. Better do the right thing, or who knows what chaos could result.

Here is a sampling of what some restaurants have planned. Specials are for Wednesday only, unless otherwise noted:

FOOD AND ENTERTAINMENT

Ala Moana Hotel: Comedian Frank DeLima presents a luncheon show, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Hibiscus Ballroom, $29. Buffet includes sushi, stuffed chicken, garlic pesto penne pasta, grilled salmon and dessert station. Call 955-4811.

Gordon Biersch: Strolling musicians, plus Hudson of STAR 101.9 will play "Secretaries Trivia" from table to table, noon to 1 p.m.; prizes. Gift baskets for secretaries with advance reservations. Call 599-4877.

Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki: All Star Band and Ditta & Ells perform; TV personality Tiny Tadani hosts. Games and prizes, including hotel stay. Cost is $28, including buffet, with sushi, dim sum and seafood specialties. Call 956-1111, ext. 68.

Renaissance Ilikai Waikiki: Makaha Sons and Ten Feet perform, Pacific Ballroom, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Rodney Vilanueva of Island Rhythm 98.5 hosts. Cost: $30, includes buffet. Call 944-6372.

Tea at 1024: Theona Freitas and Barbara Ritchie perform "Na Elua Ke Ki" during lunch, which is served on fine English china. Secretaries receive a small Victorian floral bouquet. Cost is $12.95. Call 521-9596.

JUST LUNCH

Diamond Head Grill: Buffet, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., $25. Includes sushi and selection of salads, including mozzarella and tomato, grilled vegetable and shrimp, mac-nut chicken. Also, lemongrass-crusted chicken breast, sesame-crusted salmon and pasta dishes. Plus, chance to win a night's stay at the W Honolulu Hotel. Call 922-3734.

Halekulani: Three-course menu at Orchids offered Wednesday through Friday. Meal includes appetizer choice and entrees of steamed ehu, roasted chicken breast filled with lobster and crab, or pasta of the day. Dessert buffet included. Cost is $36. Call 923-2311.

Kahala Mandarin Oriental: Hoku's three-course set menu includes ahi tartar, half Maine lobster and lamb chops. Cost is $35. Plumeria Beach Cafe offers a buffet for $26.50, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Call 739-8760.

Parc Cafe: Most popular dishes from the restaurant's theme buffets -- "Local Style," "Seafood" and "Noodlefest." Drawing for catered lunch for 10. Cost is $19.95. Call 931-6643.

3660 on the Rise: Buffet, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., $21. Featuring selection of salads, including grilled chicken or bay shrimp Caesar, Greek and roast duck noodle salads. Call 737-1177.

ALSO

Nick's Fishmarket: Three-course dinner menu offered all week, $39.95. Call 955-6333.

Kincaid's: Secretaries dining with their bosses all week will receive a dining certificate. Call 591-2005.

Click for online
calendars and events.

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