Inquiring minds have been asking: What has Travis Takahashi been doing while waiting for the much-anticipated Bin 69 to open in Wailea? Well, if a picture tells a thousand words, this is it. He’s with the Beer Chip Ladies at the Oregon Beer Fest. He also visited former Mala Ocean Tavern Chef Gregory Denton, who is now at Lucier in Portland's Waterfront District. As far as Bin 69 goes, “We are moving forward and getting closer,” he says. Photo courtesy of Travis Takahashi

LOTS OF SCOOP. . . A couple of the celebrity chefs who will appear at the Maui Onion Festival this weekend are swirling in the middle of some hot island gossip about their upcoming restaurants. Word on the street is David Paul Johnson, who currently resides on the Big Island, may open a restaurant bearing his name on Front Street in Lahaina. Hmm . . . deja vu, isn’t it? A Web site also says that he’s “posed to launch” the Big Island Burgers franchise this year on Maui, Oahu and the Big Island. It’s a “high-profile, Kobe-style burger concept” that the Web site says is the “Starbucks” of all hamburger joints.” When reached by phone, David Paul says we should “stay tuned for a press release.” D.K. Kodama, who will be representing his various Sansei Seafood & Sushi Bars at the Maui Onion Festival this weekend, says he’s looking at a Dec. 1 or so opening of Cane & Taro in what is now the Rusty Harpoon in Kaanapali. “It’s a cross between Sansei and my DK Steakhouse restaurants,” he s