PO‘IPU — Koloa Plantation Days with its theme of “Our Hometown” continued at The Shops at Kuku‘iula, which debuted its contributions to the weeklong festivities.
The Palm Court area was transformed into a campfire setting for guest storyteller Lopaka Kapanui to spin his obake, a term referring to ghostly tales based on his growing up in the plantation days.
A capacity audience filled the rows of resin chairs instead of logs and rocks, and enjoyed S’mores created on today’s safety compliant preparation stoves instead of open campfires.
Guests were also treated to helpings of popcorn and a rare mixture and generous servings of POG — a passion fruit, orange and guava juice blend.
Meanwhile, other people explored an area housing the shopping center’s signature “ALOHA” sign located near the location of Scotty Brown’s Restaurant, which is scheduled to open in the winter.
Stacie Chiba-Miguel, an A&B Hawai‘i manager, made a special trip home to gather her family and return for the Kapanui storytelling, joining Mike Hubbard, the shopping center’s manager, and Pilare Mukai, who coordinates special events.
Chiba-Miguel said the Koloa Plantation Days programming continues through the week with Leong’s Market & Grill doing a Lomi Lomi Salmon Chef’s Demonstration on Wednesday. The demonstration will coincide with the shopping center’s weekly Kaua‘i Culinary Market. The demonstration starts at 5 p.m. in the Palm Court area.
Leong’s will join other restaurants like Merriman’s Kaua‘i, Living Foods, Hapa Ramen and Eating House 1849 in providing food on Friday from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. when The Shops at Kukui‘ula hosts its monthly Flavors of Kukui‘ula that has, for the Koloa Plantation Days, been rebranded as Wally Rita’s Birthday.
“It’s Wally Rita’s birthday,” Chiba-Miguel said. “This is going to be a night of kachi-kachi. We’re starting out with Clyde Letreta and Wally Rita y Los Kauaianos will close out the night.”
Leong’s will be offering servings of kalbi ribs and rice; Merriman’s will have malasadas and soba noodles; Living Foods will have paniolo chili, steamed rice and lomi tomato with roast garlic aioli; Hapa Ramen will have Japanese curry with chicken karage; and the Eating House 1849 will be serving up plantation-style flatbread (herb-grilled flat bread with chicken and fete cheese drizzled with plum sauce).
For information on the Koloa Plantation Days, visit its website at www.koloaplantationdays.com.
