Cheese steak restaurant still uncooked at mall

Ono Cheese Steak is likely not going to open its Windward Mall location this summer as initially thought, as construction has yet to begin, according to mall sources.

Restaurant opening dates are usually moving targets for a multitude of reasons, which we would explain here, had the owner been reachable.

Those ono for the Philly-born treat have other options, however. Fresh-made cheese steaks are available from the almost round-the-clock store at 2310 Kuhio Ave. in Waikiki.

The company offers grab-and-go versions of the sammies in heated cases at 54 locations around Oahu, including 12 Tesoro stations, eight Chevron stations, seven Aloha Gas stations, six Union 76 stations and seven military base locations.

Top Chef stars Hilton

Talk about product placement. The Washington Hilton stars in this season of "Top Chef DC" on Bravo, as the primary setting of the competition. It has recently undergone a $150 million renovation and partnered with the acclaimed cable production for this season.

"Hilton has long served as the launching ground for many great chefs and we’re excited to serve as the stage for up-and-coming talent," said Dave Horton, global head of the Hilton Hotels brand, in a statement.

Because events of today are just not to be taken seriously without an official T-shirt or website, the hotel chain has created the latter. The curious can enter to win stuff and peruse personal stories and recipes from Hilton culinarians, including chef Jeffrey Vigilla from Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa. The Hilton chefs will be featured alongside airings of "Top Chef DC" episodes on the chain’s in-room TV channels.

Leaders who lunch

Hawaii women who were likely not driven by gaining recognition for themselves will nevertheless be honored at Hilton Hawaiian Village today.

They are the stars of the show at the YWCA of Oahu 33rd Annual Leader Luncheon Awards at Hilton Hawaiian Village.

Today’s honorees are:

» Longtime nurse Violeta Arnobit, chief executive officer of Ace Medical Inc., which provides home medical equipment and supplies.

» Civil rights advocate Faye Kennedy, being honored for dedication to promoting diversity and assuring social justice and advocacy to underrepresented people in all walks of life.

» Nanci Kreidman, CEO of the Domestic Violence Action Center, has become perhaps the state’s best-known advocate for women and children who are victims of domestic abuse.

» Nola Nahulu, executive and artistic director of Hawaii Youth Opera Chorus, is being honored for three decades of making a positive impact on Hawaii’s arts community.

» Leslie Wilcox, CEO of PBS Hawaii, was for decades a face known in a majority of Hawaii households as a news anchor and founder of the Lokahi Giving Project, but has become an off-camera power, helping to create the integrated, multimedia student news program known as "Hiki No," to debut in September.

Erika Engle is a reporter with the Star-Advertiser. Reach her by e-mail at erika@staradvertiser.com.