MADE IN HAWAII

Hamakua introduces poke-style mushrooms

The folks who grow those big, exotic mushrooms in Hamakua on the Big Island are introducing a new item: mushroom poke.

The Hamakua Heritage Farm product is made of pieces of alii and pepeiao mushrooms seasoned with Hawaiian, Thai and Italian flavorings.

The pokes were introduced to Costco stores statewide last week, selling for $7.99 for 24 ounces.

Samples will be offered Friday and Saturday at Costco stores in Iwilei and Waipio. Robert Stanga, the farm's co-owner, and recipe creator Sergio Ramirez of Cafe Il Mondo in Honokaa will appear at the Iwilei location. They'll also be at the Maui Costco on April 18 and 19.

MORSELS

Waialua delicacies take the stage

What's tasty in Waialua? Take a drive to the North Shore on Saturday for a gourmet tasting session at the old Waialua sugar mill.

Shawn Steiman, author of “;The Hawai'i Coffee Book: A Gourmet's Guide from Kona to Kaua'i”; and owner of Coffea Consulting, will lead a 9:30 a.m. tasting of island coffees, including, of course, Waialua's own brew.

Island X Hawaii will then feature a sampling of foods produced in and around the sugar mill, among them Auntie Edith's Pickled Okra, Francis' Huli-Huli Kiawe BBQ Chicken, Lulu's Mexican Cuisine, North Shore Naturals organic snacks, Something Special Taro Cookies, Waialua Chocolate and Waialua Soda Works sodas—as well as fresh fruit and vegetables grown in the area.

An “;Art Part”; of the event will feature works by Dale Andres, Lynn Boyer, Bill Braden, Nitya Brighenti, Jeff Lee Ceramics, Margo Goodwill, Gus Guttendeil, Tommy Sammis and more.

Tickets are $25. Reservations required; call 637-2624 or visit islandxhawaii.com.

Imu will benefit Kailua school club

The Kailua High School Canoe Club plans to spend a weekend tending an imu and is offering space inside for trays of food.

Food goes into the underground oven on April 24, emerging the next morning steamed full of luau flavor.

Cost is $15 per large aluminum tray. Food—such as whole turkeys or pork butt, sweet potatoes, taro or luau leaves—must be thawed, seasoned and well-wrapped in foil.

Reservations due by April 17. Make checks payable to Kailua High School and send to the school, 451 Ulumanu Drive, Kailua 96734. Write “;Attention IMU”; in lower left corner of the envelope. Include your name, telephone number and a self-addressed, stamped envelope so a confirmation ticket can be sent to you.

Call 234-3700 or 728-7389.

Sheraton offering Easter takeout

Did you suddenly realize that Easter is this weekend? No time to plan a meal?

The Sheraton Waikiki is offering an Easter Stimulus Dinner Package, a takeout meal for 10 to 12 people for $150.

The menu: kiawe-smoked ham glazed with honey, with gravy of bourbon, raisins and pineapple; Hamakua Farms sweet potatoes; hot cross buns; and coconut cream pie.

Dinner packages may be picked up from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday in the hotel lobby. Call 931-8793 or e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Green House hosts cooking classes

The Green House in Pauoa offers these cooking classes on April 18:

Cooking Revelations with Raul: Home-style Mexican cuisine including handmade tortillas and shrimp cocktail; 9 a.m. to noon. Cost is $25, including tastings.

”;Grow Your Own Probiotic Medicine”;: Herbalist and ethnobotanist Laura Shiels explains how to grow the probiotic kombucha for use in beverages; 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Cost is $15, includes instruction booklet and supplies.

Registration required. Call 524-8427 or visit www.thegreenhousehawaii.com.

Chef to give class on 'Living Food'

Chef Sharynne Frazer teaches the class “;Introduction to Raw and Living Food,”; noon to 2 p.m. Saturday and April 18 at Unity Church of Hawaii.

Cost is $36 per class. Call 735-4436. The church is at 3608 Diamond Head Circle.