If you need a reason to think of Saturday as a special day, here’s one: It’s International Mai Tai Day, celebrated yearly on June 30.
The Modern Honolulu marks the date with a Mai Tai Pool Party, noon to 5 p.m.
Guest bartender Jen Ackrill of the Top of Waikiki will be on hand for the making of traditional and contemporary mai tais. Admission is free to hang out by the pool and take in the live music and dancing. Pay as you go for drinks and food.
In addition, samples of Koloa Rum will be poured at a satellite bar at The Grove, from 10 a.m. to noon. Have a free taste of the white, dark, spiced, gold and coconut varietals.
Mai tai specials run through the July 4 holiday, with the Modern’s signature Deconstructed Mai Tai (Pyrat XO Rum and French almond syrup topped with mai tai foam) and other versions of the classic drinks on offer at The Grove.
Call 943-5800.
A CELEBRATION OF MANGOES
Mango Jam Honolulu, themed “A Taste of Island Culture,” takes place Friday and Saturday on the Frank F. Fasi Civic Center Grounds surrounding Honolulu Hale.
The festival runs 4:30 to 9 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, sponsored by the city and the Hawai‘i Food Industry Association.
Along with a lineup of mango-inspired food and drink, there’ll be a Mango Lounge with cocktails from Tiki’s Grill & Bar, and sales of produce, foodstuffs, plants, clothing, arts and crafts. The Honolulu Woodturners will demonstrate using mango wood in various projects.
Admission is free. Parking is free in the Frank F. Fasi Municipal Building garage, 1100 Alapai St., and the Kalanimoku Building underground lot, 1151 Punchbowl St.
Visit MangoJamHonolulu.com or call 768-6622.
WORKSHOP HELPS FARMERS GROW
Farmers interested in expanding their businesses by making value-added products are invited to a workshop July 14 at the Farm Fair at Kualoa Ranch.
Cory Vicens of the University of Hawaii-Maui Food Innovation Center, Lauren Tamamoto of the Kapiolani Community College Culinary Arts Innovation Center and Marisa Wall of the USDA Pacific Basin Ag Research Center will speak.
A panel discussion will follow with participants from Manoa Chocolate Hawaii, KoHana Hawaiian Agricole Rum and Armstrong Produce.
Register by Sunday for the free sessions, scheduled for 3 to 4:30 p.m. and sponsored by the Agricultural Leadership Foundation of Hawaii. Go to 808ne.ws/addvalue.
KONA EATERY MAKES ‘DINERS’
Umekes Fishmarket Bar & Grill in Kailua- Kona will be featured in Friday’s new episode of “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” on the Food Network.
Host Guy Fieri drops by for poke at the Big Island institution in an episode titled “Italian, Hawaiian and Colombian.” The show also visits eateries in Carlos, Calif., and Miami.
The show debuts at 9 p.m., and repeats often.
HULA PIE GENERATES FLOOD RELIEF
What a difference a pie can make. T S Restaurants’ “A Generous Slice of Hula Pie” campaign raised $12,000 to help flood victims on Kauai and Oahu.
The chain sold 1,500 Hula Pies — macadamia nut ice cream set on a chocolate cookie crust and topped with chocolate fudge and whipped cream — in the May benefit, giving $4,000 to the family-owned Nalo Farms on Oahu. Another $8,000 will go to Malama Kauai for flood relief.
BENEFIT REACHES ACROSS THE ISLANDS
Chefs on Maui are gathering on July 8 for a dinner to raise funds for victims of natural disasters on other islands. “Project Kokua for Kaua‘i & Hawai‘i Island” takes place at Maui Tropical Plantation, featuring food stations, a silent auction and entertainment.
Spearheading the event are Lyndon Honda, executive chef at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa; Lisa Villiarimo, owner of Aloha Lifestyle; and Halemanu Villiarimo, a 2018 Na Hoku Hanohano Award winner.
All proceeds will go to help those struck by the April flooding on Kauai and the ongoing volcanic eruptions on the Big Island, working through Rotary clubs in Lahaina, Kauai and Pahoa. The goal is to raise at least $30,000.
The event runs from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $60, through eventbrite.com (search for Project Kokua). To donate to the auction or make a cash donation, call contact Gabi Masuda,
808-870-3278, or email gabimasuda@gmail.com.
Quickbites is a weekly listing of dining events. Email items to crave@staradvertiser.com.
