Just retired Marco Defanis (right), and fiancee Mary Tancig, owner of Tru Skin Maui, celebrate with martinis at the newly renovated Ruth’s Chris Steak House in The Shops at Wailea. The Maui News / CARLA TRACY photo

AS MAUI TURNS . . . When a Maui restaurant hits the quarter-century mark, it’s BIG NEWS, as those in the food and beverage industry know. When the owner sells it after 25 successful years in the biz, the news is equally as big, and readers want to know “why.”

Yes, Marco’s Grill & Deli in Kahului has just been sold by founder and creative force Marco Defanis — and the sale turns a page in Maui’s illustrious restaurant history. Buying the breakfast, lunch and dinner hot spot with an Italian slant is former GM Sandy Szymanski.

The word is, everything at Marco’s will remain the same.

“I’m retiring,” Defanis confessed, when I bumped into him and his fiancee Mary Tancig at the newly renovated Ruth’s Chris Steak House in The Shops at Wailea. “We plan to move to Vero Beach, Florida.”

Aloha Noodle Cafe opened last week near Sack N Save in Wailuku. Owner Wen Xiao Liu dishes up a hot buffet line as well as made-to-order Chinese noodles, Vietnamese pho, crisp cake noodle, lemongrass curry, kalbi ribs, chicken katsu and other ethnic favorites. The owner also now runs Vietnamese Cuisine restaurant in Kihei.

Cow Pig Bun in the Maui Technology Park in Kihei has closed its doors. It celebrated with a big party a couple of weeks ago. Owners Roger and Lynn Stettler plan to move it to another location, yet to be announced. For now, find Chef Roger at Taverna in Kapalua, cooking up rustic Italian fare from his heritage.

COMING RIGHT AT US . . . The second annual Pailolo Oktoberfest will kick up its heels from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday with 100 percent of the proceeds benefitting the Pacific Cancer Foundation. The Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas will pass out “Das Boot” collector movie mugs filled with local craft beer. Attendees must be 21 and older to enjoy all-you-can-eat German-themed food, live DJ entertainment, the beer garden with Maui vendors and photo booth. For tickets, visit www.tickets.honoluluboxoffice.com/e/oktoberfest — or pay at the door.

You may also imbibe in local craft beer at the Taste of Kohola Brewery from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 18 at Maui Ocean Center in Maalaea. The event is a benefit for the aquarium’s Marine Institute and Hui O Wa’a Kaulua. Sip two Kohola beers, explore marine life and listen to five-time Grammy nominee Amy Hanaiali’i. Cost is $39.95 per adult. You must be 21 or older to attend.

Check out Lahaina Coolers’ next wine tasting dinner on Friday, featuring Noble Vines pinot grigio, rose and pinot noirs paired with portobello-mushroom ravioli, butternut squash soup and short ribs. Order items a la carte or get the whole nine yards with wine.

The Hawaii Food & Wine Festival will tee off Oct. 19 in Ka’anapali Resort with the Roy’s Golf Classic, followed by Spiked! with an all-star chef lineup Oct. 20 at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa and Symphony of Flavors on Oct 21 at Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa.

Na Hoaloha Ekolu restaurant group will give 20 percent of sales from its outlets on Oct. 13 to Habitat for Humanity. Simply dine at Old Lahaina Lu’au, Aloha Mixed Plate, Star Noodle or Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop and funds will go to Hurricane Lane recovery efforts.

* Got restaurant/dining-event scoop? Call Dining Editor Carla Tracy at 242-6342; or email carlatracy@mauinews.com.