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Portion of 5 Palms’ omelet sales go to Kihei Canoe Club

In January, Kihei Canoe Club took a loss on several of its outrigger canoes due to a freak storm. So 5 Palms restaurant at Mana Kai Resort is stepping up to the plate to offer $1 of every Hawaiian omelet sold to the nonprofit.

The “Hawaiian Omelet” is packed with Haiku tomatoes, Portuguese sausage, shiitake or Hamakua mushrooms, baby spinach and cheddar cheese. It’s served from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., seven days a week, just like the rest of the breakfast and lunch menu.

The ironic thing is that the egg dish that benefits Kihei is named after a rival club that practices in Kahului.

“It’s funny, but we cannot help it,” says Moki Chong Kee, 5 Palms general manager.

“You should have called it the Portuguese omelet,” says 5 Palms Corporate Chef George

Gomes Jr., who is not only of Portuguese heritage, but who proudly points out that sausage from the home country is the main ingredient.

“The Portuguese not only brought the ukulele to Hawaii, but Portuguese sausage, pickled onions and sweetbread. And all you guys do is make Portagee jokes about us.”

“We may have to rename it later on,” concedes Chong Kee. “But for now, you can come and buy the Hawaiian omelet for the cause.”

“We are just so grateful to Moki and George and the 5 Palms team,” says Kihei Canoe Club President Nalani Kaninau. “This promotion is supporting our canoes, which in turn will support our kids, who are the future of this club.”

She remembers the night in January, when, “There was a big, freak storm that wasn’t a hurricane or a tsunami. Just a full moon with a plus tide and a high tide. I got a call at 3 a.m., saying that the canoes were washed up all over the place. It was devastating to see it all in the morning.”

Besides 5 Palms, others have contributed to the cause so the club can function.

“Last year, we donated to the Boo Boo Zoo,” says Chong Kee. “We like to contribute to a different cause every time. Come and check out our spot, right on Keawakapu Beach. It’s all about the view. It’s as close as it gets to the beach and Chef George’s food is some of the best around.”

Sip a Bloody Mary or a hot coffee and drink in the views. The popular restaurant also serves Hawaiian sweetbread French toast, but the chef may disagree with the name.

“Chef George says it should be Portuguese,” teases Chong Kee. “We also have a crab and avocado omelet and a country frittata.”

For further details, call 5 Palms at 879-2607.

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