KAPALUA TEES OFF . . . This Sunday through Jan. 9, the PGA Tour's 2011 season-opening event will tee off in Kapalua. Called the Hyundai Tournament of Champions, it will be free and open to the public for the first time with lots of fun activities.
For instance, Sunday is family fun day and CJ's Deli will give away free lunches for the first 200 kids. You will also find prizes, swing cages, junior putting contests, hula lessens and taiko drummers. Maui Ocean Center will bring its pool filled with fish. Maui Humane Society will roll up with its Animobile for adoptions.
"Anuhea will also perform at 3:30 p.m. Sunday," says Nancy Cross, tournament director. "This year, every day of the tourney offers free admission and free parking as well as free entertainment."
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Christian Jorgensen of Comfort Zone Catering and CJ’s Deli & Diner in Kaanapali will do all of the food for this year’s Hyundai golf tourney.
HARVEY CHANG photo
As for food, Christian "CJ" Jorgensen of CJ's Deli and the Comfort Zone Catering will be the concessionaire at the sky boxes, on the greens and in Golf Network's television compound.
"We're changing everything from the post-era Mercedes standards," says Jorgensen, a master chef, who has cooked for Maui Invitational and Kaanapali Skins games. "Now, we'll have little kitchens all over the place, grilling mango ribs, served with biscuits and cole slaw. The smell will waft up and will attract everybody."
Wednesday, the FedExCup Kick-Off will feature pro/am celebrity action at holes 1, 2 and 9 at the Plantation Course. Keali'i Reichel and Jake Shimabukuro will play on the first tee - for free, of course.
Jorgensen will serve Chinese chicken salads, foot-long hot dogs, hamburgers and he'll also have the Hana Sundae Bar on the 18th hole. "I'm bringing strawberries and cream and a lot of decorations and skirting.?It should be fun. We're hoping everyone will come, drink beer and enjoy all of the free golf action." For more information, call tournament headquarters at 665-9150.
Speaking of that tony side of the island, Carlos Santana just got married at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua this past weekend with a slew of L.A. friends in tow. One of them, HBO comedian George Lopez, came into Pineapple Grill and enjoyed the food and the bar scene. "He just announced in the news he wants to run for mayor of L.A.," says Vice President and Managing Partner Chris Kaiwi.
"It's like the Cheers of Kapalua. It's really lively and we do really fun pupu such as fresh ahi poke tacos and kalbi short rib sliders with truffle fries."
As for the Hyundai Tournament of Champions nearby, Pineapple Grill will offer music most nights and there will be celeb sightings for sure.
"It's going to be like the party central," says Kaiwi. "It's going to be phenomenal. We'll just try to tame the beast and do everything right."
In addition, the Plantation House at the 18th hole on the Plantation Course will remain open for breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout the tourney, with the exception of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday.
"We'll do a limited grill menu that day and reopen at 5 p.m. for dinner," says Managing Partner Norm Schuhardt. Spotted dining at Plantation House this week with pals was the "man of a 1,000 voices," actor Michael Winslow of "Police Academy" fame.
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BITS AND PIECES . . . With all of the glitz and glamour and celebrity action on Maui these days, it's easy to forget it's still the season for giving. Through Jan. 5, Maui Ocean Center in Maalaea will continue its holiday food drive for hungry islanders.
"The most needed items are financial contributions, canned meats and tuna, cereal, canned soups, meals with protein, canned fruits, rice and canned vegetables," says Kelsey Daimon, marketing and public relations manager for the popular attraction.
Food bins are located at Maui Ocean Center's front gate. Those who donate at least two food items or money will get a free bumper sticker or window decal.
* Reach Dining Editor Carla Tracy at 242-6342 or e-mail her at carlatracy@mauinews.com.
