[ ONO GRINDS ]

---

Know how to ‘Taste’

---

By Betty Shimabukuro
betty@starbulletin.com

Tackling the Taste of Honolulu requires more than loosening the belt in preparation for a day of big eating. You need a plan of attack, not just to figure out what to eat, but where to park and when to go to maximize your entertainment value.

Taste of Honolulu Hours: 5 to 10 p.m. today, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday Place: Honolulu Civic Center grounds Admission: $3; scrip sold for food Information: Call 536-1015 or visit the Web site, www.taste808.com

The annual benefit for Easter Seals Hawaii runs today through Sunday on the grounds of Honolulu Hale.

If you've never done it before, here's the drill: Pay entry fee, buy scrip, examine food choices at the booths, stand in line, pay, eat. Repeat. Pick up beer, wine or soft drinks along the way.

Participating restaurants and caterers: Brew Moon Restaurant & Micro Brewery, Canoes at the Ilikai, Ciao Mein, The Colony, Dave & Buster's, Down to Earth, Eastern Garden Chinese Seafood Restaurant, Genki Sushi, Gyu-Kaku Charcoal Yakiniku, Hilton Hawaiian Village, Hong Kong Harbour View Restaurant, Jackie's Kitchen, Kevin's Two Boots, Marians Catering, Mediterranean Garden Deli, Musashi, Pipeline Café, Side Street Inn/Fort Street Bar & Grill, Tony Roma's and The Willows.

For those who'd rather not bother with scrip, there's the Chef du Jour tent, where chef Alan Wong has gathered a group of upscale chefs to serve more elegant fare for a $50 single fee. It's open 6 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday only.

Now, the Taste always draws a crowd, so you'll need to know where to stash your car. Some ideas:

» Honolulu Municipal Building: Free

» Ali'i Place: 25 cents per hour, Saturday and Sunday only

» AMPCO Parking, Beretania and Bishop streets: Posted rates

» Pali and Beretania city lot: $1 per hour (meters)

» Queen's Physician office building: $2 per hour Friday and Saturday; free on Sunday

» Alapai Bus Lot: Free

» Neal Blaisdell Center: $3 all day

» One Kapiolani building: $3 all day Saturday and Sunday

» Queen and South streets, 600 South St.: Free Friday and Saturday

» Halekauwila and Keawe streets, 555 South St.: Free

» Department of Health Parking Lot (entrance off Miller Street): Free

Now, for keeping entertained while munching, "Ready, Set, Cook"-style cooking competitions will be held at 5:30 p.m. today, and 11:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. If you prefer music:

MAIN STAGE
» Friday: Weldon Kekauoha & Tapa Groove, Rolando Sanchez & Salsa Hawaii, Pali, Eight0Eight

» Saturday: Sunset, Pineapple Squeeze, Maunalua, Shining Star the Band, Honolulu Jazz Quartet, John Cruz, Rocky Brown, Touch of Gold, Chant, Papa Doo Run Run

» Sunday: Fire House, Dita Holifield & The Next Big Thing, Simplicity, Pacific Fleet Jazz Band, Taste Idol Competition, Alea, Hoonua, Kapena

FAMILY CENTER STAGE
» Saturday: Boys and Girls Club, Hawaiian Island Twisters, Cooking with Cutty, Karaoke Kids Splash, Hawaii Youth Chorus

» Sunday: Country Dancers, Fresh Impact, Road to Fame, Halla Huhm Korean, Dance Studio, Jig This, Brazilian Show with Capoiera Hawaii & Friends

Click for online
calendars and events.