GRAND OPENING . . . The Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa will celebrate the opening of its new Umalu restaurant on Sunday, Oct.12 with a culinary extravaganza befitting the resort addition valued at over $8 million.
The Umalu Food and Wine Festival will showcase the new poolside and beachside restaurant while featuring gourmet dishes from the resort's many fine restaurants, like Son'z at Swan Court; Cascades Grille and Sushi Bar, and of course the new Umalu restaurant.
Umalu's architecture is a progressive modern Hawaiian design and the menu features unique Hawaiiana entrees influenced with a local style. Flagstone tile or "feet-in-the-sand" seating options are offered, with views out to the ocean and outer islands.
Attendees will also enjoy featured wines and Hawaiian entertainment by Tihati Productions. Guy Hagi and Kim Gennaula from KGMB will be special guests.
The event will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $75 per person with partial proceeds benefiting "Make a Wish Foundation." Call 667-4727 for tickets.
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Fact Box
* Carla Tracy is dining editor of Maui Scene. She will be on vacation until the issue of Oct. 30. In the meantime, you may contact Rich Van Scoy at 242-6323 or e-mail him at richv@mauinews.com.
MAUI COUNTY FAIR . . . "Where a Community Comes Together" is an appropriate theme for the 86th Maui County Fair as thousands of people will visit the fairgrounds over the next four days, starting tonight when it officially opens at 5. A popular attraction at the fair, and an important fundraiser for community nonprofits, is the food court. "Flying Saucers," spare ribs, lau lau, dry mein, mochiko chicken, shave ice and lots of other island favorites make this the single, best location for the broadest selection of local food. There are 44 separate organizations manning food booths at this year's fair. What's more, the fourth annual Maui County Department of Fire and Public Safety "Who's Got the Heat" Chili Cook Off will take place at the fairgrounds between 10 a.m. and noon Saturday at the War Memorial Gymnasium foyer adjacent to the flagpoles. The public is welcome to sample the creations for a small donation of $1 per bowl. Proceeds will benefit the Shriners Children's Hospital Patient Transportation Burn Unit.
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BEAT BREAST CANCER . . . Hundreds of cartons of Maui's own Roselani Aloha Cherry Truffle Ice Cream have been sold over the past year with a portion of the proceeds going to the Maui Memorial Medical Center Foundation (MMMCF) fund for breast cancer awareness and education. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In observance, Roselani Ice Cream and MMMCF invite both professionals and home cooks to enter the "A.C.T. Sweet Now to Beat Breast Cancer" recipe contest. Send recipes to info@roselani.com (one entry per person and Maui residents only, please). At the end of October, the folks at Roselani Ice Cream will choose a winner and that person will receive a year's supply of Roselani Ice Cream (one, 56-oz. carton per month for 12 months).
