It was one of those news releases that causes a gasp.

Alan Wong and Hualalai Grille are splitsville.

It wasn't worded in that tabloid-y way, but that's the way your columnist read it.

The marquee chef and restaurateur and the Big Island's Hualalai Resort are parting company Monday so there will no longer be a Hualalai Grille by Alan Wong. It will just be Hualalai Grille.

Wong launched Hualalai Grille in 2003 and led it to four consecutive AAA Four Diamond ratings beginning with the 2006 list.

Neither side is being dramatic.

“;All expectations are met,”; said Leigh Ito, Wong's project manager. The move has nothing to do with the economy, it is simply “;good timing for both sides.”;

The decision had been discussed “;for a while now,”; said Jeremy Sosner, vice president of marketing for Hualalai Resort.

Separation was not the original plan, but “;we had an agreement for a number of years and we had a great run and we have great respect for Alan ... we just mutually agreed to move in another direction,”; Sosner said.

The restaurant was always resort-owned, Ito said. The staff remains and Chef de Cuisine “;James Ebreo, who Alan was able to mentor ... has done a great job over the years.”;

Sosner is “;absolutely confident”; it will maintain its ranking and says it will add new signature dishes, “;probably before the holidays.”;

Wong's company has plenty on its plate, but “;we're always looking for something ... exciting to pop up,”; Ito said.

Harbor Court bistro

Harbor Court Bistro will close after Thanksgiving service at 9 p.m. tomorrow.

Today and tomorrow selected menu items are 50 percent off. A four-course Thanksgiving meal will be $35 a person or $25 for military members from 4 to 9 p.m.

The restaurant opened in August but neighborhood opposition prevented the Honolulu Liquor Commission from considering its permanent liquor license application.

Neighbors also won termination of its temporary license, causing the restaurant to lose half its sales.

Owner Elizabeth Hata Watanabe did get support, however, from guests, the community and her church, she said.

“;Even in the storm, the sun is still shining, it's just behind the clouds.”;

She is in active negotiations for a lease on a new restaurant in a business district that she will open in 2009, following the impending birth of her second child.