Burger-loving duo hits state to sample Big Isle creation

BACK IN 2010, chef Edwin Goto‘s little "farm to fork" restaurant, Village Burger in Waimea, Hawaii island, was named one of USA Today’s "51 Great Burger Joints" — one for each state and the District of Columbia. After that story was released, two burger-loving retired doctors from Hilton Head Island, S.C., Joe and Doris Lindner, made plans to hit all of the joints and as of last month, had made it to 50 of them, all except for Village Burger. The Lindners completed their journey April 26 when they walked into the restaurant with several family members. They were greeted by Goto and music and hula by kahu Danny and Anna Akaka. Proclamations from Mayor Billy Kenoi and Sen. Malama Solo­mon were presented. Danny, retired U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka‘s son, also gave a blessing. Some of the restaurant’s farmers, bakers, ranchers and other food providers, including ranchers Monty and Tim Richards, attended. "It takes a village to make a great Village Burger," Goto said. After downing their burgers, "both Doris and Joe said it was the best burger," Goto added. Star-Advertiser food writer Joan Namkoong recommended Village Burger to USA Today as part of the national newspaper’s "Great American Bites." She described the burger as "a locavore’s delight, with a grass-fed, pasture-raised, ground-fresh-daily Big Island beef burger, thick and grilled to order, topped with just-picked, Waimea-grown veggies in a brioche bun from nearby Hawi town." In case you are wondering as I was, a locavore is a person who digs foods grown locally …

LET’S HEAR IT for filmmaker, singer and ukulele virtuoso Eddie Kamae, 85, who will be honored with a well-deserved honorary doctorate of humane letters May 11 at University of Hawaii commencement exercises at the Stan Sheriff Center. In 2010 Eddie received his graduation diploma from Farrington High. That’s another story … Eddie was asked to be a guest at the April 20 opening of Hardware Hawaii Kapolei, owned by David Lundquist. Eddie brought the house down as he sang a few numbers and accompanied himself on the uke. He also told stories about his Sons of Hawaii group. Mapuana de Silva‘s Halau Mohala ‘Ilima, as well as Halau O Uluwehi, performed. Bobby Moderow of Maunalua also played music. Eddie’s wife, Myrna, said she was happy about going to Hardware Hawaii. "Hey, I like all that stuff," she said, adding that she needed "some new wrenches and a set of good screwdrivers" …

TONIGHT from 7 to 10 at the Elks Club, Naluhoe — Vicky Hollinger, Kawika McGuire and Joe Recca — will honor Roy Benham, who turned 90 April 19. I’m embarrassed to say that Bruss Keppeler‘s name was misspelled in last week’s column about Roy’s birthday party at Native Books/Na Mea Hawai‘i. Sorry Bruss … The trio of Augie Rey, Bobby King and Dennis Graue will be at the Elks Club Saturday and May 11 then go on vacation. His trio returns to the Elks June 1. Filling in on May 18 will be Imaikalani Young and his band. Augie and wife Bobbe are going to Cuba on a jazz music cultural tour. Augie’s dad was born in Cuba and this will be his first trip there …

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Ben Wood, who sold newspapers on Honolulu streets in World War II, writes of people, places and things. Email him at bwood@staradvertiser.com.