Gov. Linda Lingle, in her State of the State address Monday, strongly supported locally grown foods. That's something celebrated chef Alan Wong has been doing for a long time. Days before the guv's speech, Alan announced his Farmer Series Dinner, “;Taste Hawaii,”; scheduled next Wednesday, matching locally grown and caught foods, with those from the mainland. Such things as lobster, beef, veggies, cheeses and four types of snapper—including onaga and opakapaka, are among the foods on the menu to be compared. The dinner will set you back $75. “;Supporting local agriculture and farmers can be as simple as becoming more aware of what products are available and what they taste like,”; Alan said. “;When you go to the supermarket (and it may be that the local product is more expensive than the mainland product), you say to yourself, 'This local one is more expensive but I'm gonna buy this one because I know it tastes better than the other one.' It's fresher and didn't travel miles to get here weeks before it is served. We can also help our own economy by purchasing and spending within our own community.”; The guv shudda called on Alan to contribute to her speech ...

Alan Wong

CHOMPING ON: Randy Schoch jetted into town week-before-last to catch up with his Ruth's Chris Steak Houses statewide and his Romano's Macaroni Grills, in Ala Moana Center and Queen's Market Place at the Waikoloa Beach Resort. He had lunch at the Ala Moana Romano's and chatted with Chef Mike Longworth, G.M. Darren Yasui and manager-on-duty Damon Haverly. Mike told Randy that KGMB9's past and present personalities Kim Gennaula (past) and Guy Hagi (present), Jo McGarry of the Star-Bulletin and MidWeek and hubby sportscaster Bobby Curran of AM1420 and MidWeek had been in recently in with their children and sat at the exhibition-style kitchen to watch chef Mike at work, a favorite family activity. All are Randy's pals ...

Randy Schoch

Popular Star-Bulletin couple Donica and Jason Kaneshiro welcomed their second child, Adam Tadashi Kaneshiro, Friday evening. Now Branden, age, 4, has a little brother to play with. Donica is on the news desk and Jason covers UH football and other sports ...

A “;3 for $45”; ticket sale for classical symphony and pops concerts featuring such stars as Diana Krall and Dave Koz is on now through Feb. 4. The sale gives music lovers the option to choose from six concerts. Additional tickets can be purchased for $15 per concert. The sale tickets are only available at the Symphony Box Office. Call 792-2000 to purchase a “;3 for $45”; package and for more information ...