Feast Hawaiian style for lifesaving cause

Kalua pig, lomi salmon, squid luau, chicken long rice, beef stew, poi, rice and haupia. There. Hungry yet?

The classic dishes will be only part of the annual Habilitat Lu‘au, Auction & Benefit Concert to raise funds for the nonprofit, long-term addiction treatment center.

In addition to its cognitive behavioral therapy approach to overcoming addiction, Habilitat provides its residents career training in many fields including food service, construction and others that unite to make the luau a success.

The luau is one of two large annual fundraising efforts by Habilitat; the other being Christmas tree sales, said Jeff Nash, executive director.

The luau “is certainly our biggest production,” he said. “We made the decision a while back not to cut any corners.”

“All the food is cooked by people in the program with staff supervision. It’s a pride and proprietorship type of lesson for all those involved.”

Habilitat’s All Kine Grindz food truck is a staple at many community food truck events, serving a variety of local favorites in generous portions, but this event has the food truck crew and other members of the Habilitat residential population pull out all the stops.

“Our culinary team of eight people is responsible for the creation from scratch of more than 1 ton of food, enough for over 2,000 people,” said Harrison White, who handles public relations for the local nonprofit.

Each year, Habilitat builds an imu large enough to cook more than 1,800 pounds of pork, not to mention other imu-cooked foods for the luau.

Attractions for keiki include glitter tattoos, face painting, balloon creations and bounce houses.

Grown-ups can check out the silent auction and live auction. This year’s more than 600 donated items are worth an estimated $200,000, said Nash. Goodies include a four-night Las Vegas trip for two, a three-night stay at the Four Seasons Resort Ko Olina, and Nike Blazer shoes worn and signed by professional golfer Michelle Wie. For ocean enthusiasts, a signed Laird Hamilton surfboard will be up for grabs in the live auction, as will a three-night stay at the Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa on Maui.

Guests will be treated to live music and entertainment by Taimane Gardner, Peni Dean, Moke Boy and Malu Productions.

“We want to provide a service or a product rather than just take a handout,” Nash said. “We want you to know that if you’re buying those tickets, you’re saving somebody’s life, literally investing in our efforts to save peoples’ lives.”