Kona Brewing tries a touch of passion

KONA BREWING Co. has hit another home run with the release of its latest seasonal beer, Wailua Wheat. Due in stores and on tap at its Hawaii Kai restaurant this week, the brew is a wheat ale with a light and refreshing taste that's perfect for the upcoming summer months. Just as last fall's Pipeline Porter was available for a limited time, microbrew fans will be able to purchase Wailua Wheat only until Sept. 1.

And just as the Pipeline Porter incorporated Kona coffee in its recipe, Kona Brewing Co. brewmaster Rich Tucciarone has given the Wailua Wheat a slight twist by adding passionfruit late in the brewing process. If you're a fan of Brew Moon's Mayberry Wheat, or more recently Coors' Blue Moon Belgian White, then you'll probably like this beer as well.

Kona Brewing president Mattson Davis said that in a recent study Pipeline Porter claimed "the 15th-highest case sales of new craft beer brands in supermarkets across the United States" after just three months -- and that's just in 10 mainland markets, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada and Florida. Let's hope the Wailua Wheat is even more successful ...

WITH MORE than two decades of experience on the turntables and in the Honolulu nightlife scene, James Coles is one of the few old-school faces who continue to maintain their presence on the streets.

Before they got married and had children of their own, local club kids would dance the night away at clubs like Spats, Cilly's and Bobby McGee's as Coles provided the ultimate aural experience. He even went on to open his own club, the Mixx, in 1996.

These days, Coles does imaging and production work at Cox Radio Hawaii while also running his nonprofit DJ school Musical Youth of Hawaii. He also promotes all-ages parties and "Fire," an 18-and-over Saturday weekly at Lulu's in Waikiki.

On Friday, he'll combine the best of the old days with his current efforts; "Ghetto Blaster" at Lily Koi Restaurant and Lounge is billed as Coles' 40th birthday celebration. Invited guest DJs include Dane Reeves (Spats), Lisa D (Power Station/Cilly's), Johnny J Jam (Cilly's), DMFD (Wave Waikiki) and Wu-Chang (World Cafe). Rick Rock, Slick Vic and Micah Banks will help co-host the party.

Doors open at 9:30 p.m. Friday, with $3 drinks all night and free birthday cake. A $10 cover charge will benefit MYH ...

FRIDAY'S PICKS: Start the weekend off with Deep Pocket at Jazz Minds Art and Cafe. Ikaika Tecson, Gary Hashimoto, Nathan Ing and David Matias will funk things up from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. ... Neighboring downtown venue Sound|House partners with Tenko Hawaii to present "The Rude Soul Soundclash" at thirtyninehotel. Go Jimmy Go's Bison Friedmann and Black Square's Josh86 will perform acoustic sets, with DJs Dougie, Vagina and Selector Nomad on the decks and Cherry Blossom Burlesque also on stage ... Import model Francine Dee returns for another guest appearance at the O Lounge during "Deuce," alongside DJs Flip and Schwin. KCCN FM-100's Big Poppa will host ...

SATURDAY'S PICKS: Las Vegas-based DJ Rectangle is back in Honolulu this weekend. He'll jump on the decks at Xyloh after hanging out at Pipeline Cafe on Friday to meet-and-greet with fans. Expect him to also share tracks off an upcoming CD ... Local hip-hop takes center stage at Panama Hattie's as Stand Alone Intertainment presents "Wild Wild West 2." Live performances by J-Sac, Street Rsinist and Al Vegas are planned, with I.Q. Bonified and I.A. co-hosting and Krystilez also making a special guest appearance ... Florida-based Thai DJ Jask makes his Hawaii debut at Lotus Soundbar. DJs Badmouth, D-Box and Technique will open ...