RAINBOW OF EVENTS . . .When it rains, it pours. April on Maui, you'll find pots of food under all of those rainbows.
This Sunday at the University of Hawaii Maui College, A Day of Culture and Art will transpire from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with music, dance, arts and crafts and lots of food from Maui's diverse ethnic mix.
The Kiku No Kai Japanese Club will skewer then grill chicken yakitori. Maui Puerto Rican Association will do the bomba with pasteles, gandule rice and lettuce topped with bacalao (salted cod). Maui Taiko will sell mini bentos packed with teriyaki.
Article Photos
The Maui News / CARLA TRACY photo
Lucien Kouassi of the International House of Taro, (left), and Tana Villanueva will prepare taro Sunday at the University of Hawaii Maui College.
The Portuguese Association of Maui will prepare bean soup, malasadas and spicy sausages, while Maui Portuguese Cultural Club will sell jams, jellies, pickles, ice tea and sweet bread from stone ovens.
Last but not least, International House of Taro catering company will serve four dishes. The owner is from the Ivory Coast of Africa. Lucien Kouassi will make fufu, traditional taro dumplings in palm sauce from his homeland, as well as dumplings in gumbo stew.
"Taro (manganli'n) was our main staple. But because of deforestation, we had to change our diets," says Lucien. "Tana Villanueva is my Hawaiian connection for island taro and my business partner, Bryant Neal, and I do taro from all cultures, not just from Africa."
They'll also serve a Japanese specialty, taro shish kebab stuffed with fruit jams, then roasted; alubuay, a taro puree; and taro home fries in spices and garlic.
In addition International House of Taro will appear at the 18th annual East Maui Taro Festival in Hana April 24. On Sunday, April 25, bring your appetites to the Taro Pancake BreakFEST in Hana Ballpark.
Hana Hou Cafe in Haiku now features four wines and four pupu tastings at 7 p.m. Saturdays in the little outdoor area that used to be the sushi bar. This month, the House of Guigal wines from the southern Rhone region of France will be poured. This evening, they will also feature a fundraiser for the Horizons Academy with music by Steve Sargenti. You may buy anything off the menu and 10 percent of the proceeds will go to the school.
Here's an event for the well-heeled bunch. Wine, Women & Shoes will flow April 24 at the Four Seasons Resort Maui in Wailea. Shop for shoes as you sip fine wines from top vineyards and munch gourmet pupu - all as a benefit for Imua Family Services. Call 244-7467.
Maui Culinary Academy in Kahului will present raw food chef / author Jeremy Safron at an all-raw, five-course gourmet dinner April 30. Call 984-3434.
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MEALS AT THE MACC. . . Four shows in just three days will make the MACC in Kahului the place "to see and be seen" as well as dine.
Acclaimed medium Lisa Williams will do a show this evening and Consuelo's Catering will be on hand with its Brazilian pre-show menu of seafood moqueca, and quinoa pilaf served with fresh greens.
Friday, former Van Halen frontman Sammy Hagar will be screaming on the Castle stage with The Wabos backup band. Brigit & Bernard's Garden Cafe will lend a Euro twist with crabcake tapas; Greek salads topped with smoked salmon; grilled chicken or shrimp; and chicken in port wine sauce with au gratin potatoes.
"The bars will be pouring Sammy's own Cabo Wabo Tequilas any way you like it!" says the MACC's Co-manager Lisa Haole.
"Saturday, David Benoit & Family will bring smooth jazz to the Castle Theater for an unforgettable night of piano and song. Moana Bakery & Cafe will bring their creations for the first time. Choose from Oriental beef and eggplant to breadfruit red Thai curry to freshly tossed Caesar salads with grilled chicken. And, try an Ocean Vodka martini to get you in the mood!" says Lisa. "Saturday night outdoors on the Events Lawn, 311, Iration and The Throwdowns will put on an eclectic mix of reggae, rap-metal and alternative sounds.
"Nacho Mama's will serve kalua pig or cheese nachos, Alexanders Famous Fish ono-licious tacos, volcano salmon or teri burgers, crispy hot French fries and seafood wontons! Paradise Tropical Ice and Maui Kazowie Kettlecorn will round out the menu."
* You may reach Dining Editor Carla Tracy at 242-6342.
