Eat up and benefit Japan

Food-loving Hawaii continues to find ways to assist Japan in recovery from earthquake and tsunami devastation. Tomorrow from 5 to 9 p.m., sample the goods of 27 food trucks at “Eat the Street for Japan,” in the parking lot at 555 South St. on the block between Halekauwila and Pohukaina streets. Then, on April 6, enjoy a taco or two when Pizza Hut and Taco Bell locations statewide donate part of their sales to the American Red Cross’ Hawaii Chapter.

Local foods star in Sunday brunch

The Royal Hawaiian Hotel is presenting a buffet featuring local agricultural and ranchers’ products from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.

“The Royal Farmers’ Market Brunch — 220 Experience” is a roving brunch in the Coconut Grove comprising of dishes made with produce from within the state, a 220-mile radius. The event will also include a Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation farmers market.

Tickets are $100, with VIP seating at $220 (includes reserved seating, table serv­ice, Royal Hawaiian Signature Pink Sparkling wine and valet serv­ice). Call 848-2074.

Center teaches how to build umu

Learn to build a traditional Samoan above-ground oven, or umu, at the Polynesian Cultural Center. The activity includes preparing traditional food such as taro, breadfruit, palu­sami (taro leaves cooked in coconut cream) and faiai eleni (canned mackerel cooked in coconut milk).

Food and fire preparations begin at noon daily in the center’s Samoan village. After rocks are heated, participants will ready the hot rocks and place food in the fire, then cover the umu with leaves and burlap. An hour later they can return to partake of the Samoan fare.

The center, at 55-370 Ka­meha­meha Highway in Laie, opens at 11:45 a.m. Mondays to Saturdays, and the villages close at 5 p.m. For admission prices or to make reservations, call 293-3333 or visit www.polynesia.com.