Lung Fung Chinese Restaurant, a Cantonese restaurant that has been part of the Niu Valley neighborhood for almost 40 years, is closing May 20.

Owner and chef Eddie Ma, who took over the lease 15 years ago, said he could not afford to buy his space in a condominium-conversion arrangement that the Niu Valley Shopping Center has entered under owner Peter Savio. His lease expires June 1.

Ma, the third owner of the eatery, said he will miss his loyal customers. “They know me. Any time they come, I’m here. All nice people around.”

Their favorite dishes were the crispy garlic- chili shrimp and pork chops, and the steamed fish with garlic, onions and shoyu. “The local people like crispy gau gee noodle and the spicy wonton, also very good,” he added.

Running the 22-table restaurant, fully decorated in Asian finery, “was never easy. Just working all day every day, it’s like a marriage, this restaurant.” But he’s too young for retirement, and is looking for a new position.

Lung Fung is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the center, 549 Halemaumau St., off of Kalanianaole Highway. Call 377-5555.

— Pat Gee, Star-Advertiser

DINNER BENEFITS WAIPAHU STUDENTS

Culinary students at Waipahu High School have won the chance to represent the state in the Family Career Community Leaders of America conference in Georgia next month, but getting there takes money.

So on Saturday the students are hosting a fundraising dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. in a courtyard on campus just outside their Marauder Cafe.

The dishes they’ll be making belie their amateur status. They include: lechon, Korean somen, sous-vide chicken with ratatouille arancini, ginger-steamed fish and seared pork tenderloin, along with an assortment of appetizers, desserts and mocktails.

Tickets are $50. Call 307-9458 or email whs.culinary.arts.program@gmail.com, with “grazing” in the subject line.

A FEAST OF ARTISTIC OPPORTUNITY

Lots of great things start when people gather over a table of food, and the Feast dinner makes the most of that opportunity. On May 10 at the ARTS at Marks Garage, the community event will bring together diners and artists seeking funding for projects.

As guests dine, artists will circulate and present their ideas. At the end of the dinner, each guest will vote for a favorite project, and the winning artist will be awarded part of the money generated by the dinner. This time, along with the prize money, the winner will have the chance to stage an exhibit in June at Marks Garage.

The dinner runs from 6 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 and available at eventbrite.com or $25 at the door. Marks Garage is at 1159 Nuuanu Ave.

At a previous Feast, artist Kayleigh Chalkowski was awarded $1,000 for the Honolulu Wetland Revival Project, for which she created a series of paintings along Pauahi Street of native wetland birds and plants that once populated Chinatown.

FREE ITALIAN COOKING LESSON

Chef Donato Loperfido will host an Italian cooking demonstration and tasting Saturday at Island Olive Oil Co. in Ward Centre.

The free session runs from 1 to 4 p.m.

Loperfido, owner of Flavors of Italy Hawaii, will prepare dishes including a special pasta, crostini and crudo di pesce (a raw fish dish), using ingredients available at the store.

Call 388-8912.

DOUGHNUTS FOR SERVICE MEMBERS

Dunkin’ Donuts Hawaii is celebrating Military Appreciation Month in May with a 20 percent discount on all purchases for members of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Just show up in uniform at any of the four Dunkin’ Donuts locations on Oahu. The offer runs through the month.