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AROUND THE TOWN . . . Music superstar Keith Urban was spotted on Maui on Tuesday the day before his big concert at Neil Blaisdell on Oahu. Urban ordered a Reuben sandwich at Marco’s Grill & Deli in Kahului, lunching with two of his pals.
Speaking of musicians, a stellar lineup of local stars has graced the stage at Hana Hou Cafe in Haiku since the day it opened in 2006. Sad to report that it has closed and owners Laurent and Katie Thibault are taking a respite before Katie goes into the health care field and Paris native Laurent gets hired at one of Maui’s top restaurants.
“We have loved this place and our amazing staff and devoted customers,” explains Katie. “We are so going to miss everyone.”
Mike and Jamie Harrison have taken over the lease on the spot and will name their restaurant Pangea in reference to when all of the Earth’s continents were one. Mike cooked at the Four Seasons and is from Bend, Ore. It will take awhile to renovate and open.
A fundraiser for the Kula Kaiapuni ‘O Nahi’ena’ena Hawaiian language immersion school in West Maui will be held Friday at Lahaina restaurants Mala Ocean Tavern and the adjoining Honu Seafood & Pizza and Frida’s Mexican Beach House. Just come in that day for lunch or dinner and 10 percent of sales from each restaurant will go to the school programs.
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BITS AND PIECES . . . Want to help one of Maui’s own? Then save the date of Friday, Nov. 6, as Makena Beach & Golf Resort will host a fundraiser for Executive Sous Chef Steve Avergonzado, who was diagnosed with ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease.
“We’ll have food booths from participating hotels and restaurants; beer, wine and spirits, and live entertainment,” says Director of Food & Beverage Leo Mallari. The cost is $60 per person. Tickets may be purchased at the hotel’s concierge desk. All the proceeds will be donated to the Avergonzado family.
Makena Beach’s Molokini Bar & Grille will uncork the New Zealand Greywacke wine dinner Saturday with fresh seafood and fine wines. Call 874-1111.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Maui will present the “Little Chef, Big Chef” fundraiser at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16 at Grand Wailea’s Molokini Gardens. Six island chefs will partner with clubs for a pupu for competition. Tia Carrera is flying in to headline the event, and cultural ambassador Kainoa Horcajo will emcee with Malika Dudley. Tickets are still available for $175 per person or $325 for two at www.bgcmaui.org or call 875-1234.
Love Filipino fare? Chefs Joey Macadangdang of Joey’s Kitchen, Alvin Savella of Pulehu, an Italian Grill and Ritchard Cariaga of Ka’ana Kitchen will compete in the Master P-Noy Chef Cook Off at Maui Fil-Am Heritage Festival on Saturday, Oct. 17 at the Maui Mall in Kahului. Chef Sheldon Simeon of Migrant will serve as the guest host of it all.
Attendees may enter the Any Kine Adobo Contest and the Speedy Balut Contest, if you have the constitution for the latter.
The best part about Lahaina Plantation Days coming up Oct. 16 and 17 under the historic smokestack is that there will be an amazing lineup of food, you don’t need to make reservations and prices are nominal. The event takes place from 5 to 10:30 p.m. each evening, music will be nonstop and parking is free.
Highlights include kalua pork bao buns by Black Rock Kitchen, hamachi tostadas by Cane + Canoe, turkey meals by Leoda’s Kitchen & Pie Shop; luau sampler by Ohana Bar & Grill – and much more.
Speaking of Black Rock Kitchen at the Sheraton Maui in Kaanapali, its beer-pairing menu, Black Rocktoberfest, is on tap through the end of the month.