Waikoloa Beach Resort “Family Fourth” Celebration

Waikoloa Beach Resort invites the community to celebrate the pursuit of happiness, and their freedom of choice, with ten free mini concerts on two stages, carnival food and games, the annual Rubber Duckie Race and more, capped off with spectacular fireworks over Waikoloa Bowl.

Non-stop family entertainment starts at 10 a.m. with live music until 1 p.m. at Kings’ Shops, followed by the ever-popular Merriman’s Market Café Watermelon Eating contest.  New this year, Chef Ippy Aiona of Three Fat Pigs will host a “mystery box” cooking challenge at 1:30 p.m.

At 12:30 p.m., Salsa Latinos fire up the music at Queens’ MarketPlace, building up momentum for the fun to start, with free cotton candy, popcorn, balloons, and face painting from 1-5 p.m.  Throughout the shopping center, colorful Zoo Choo Train rides ($2) and carnival games (25 cents) treat the keiki to extra fun, benefitting Special Olympics West Hawaii.  Live music continues all afternoon, with Vizion 20/20, Life in Pursuit, I‘land Boiz and Bobby G & the Generous Thieves.

At 3 p.m., Kings’ Lake (Kings’ Shops) is the place to be for the start of the annual wet, wild and wacky Rubber Duckie Race, where thousands of the bright yellow waterfowl take a “quack” at crossing the finish line first.  Great prizes go to the winning ducks and 100% of the proceeds benefit the United Cerebral Palsy Association.  To adopt your duck, call Kings’ Shops, 886-8811.

The main attraction happens just after dark, as the fireworks extravaganza lights up the skies at Waikoloa Beach Resort.  Doors open at 5 p.m., with pre-show music by Vizion 20/20 followed by the big rock & roll sounds of Bump City.  Admission is free, and beach mats or chairs are welcome for open lawn seating, however coolers, alcoholic beverages and smoking are not permitted.  For more information visit www.WaikoloaBeachResort.com or call Queens’ MarketPlace 886-8822.

Kings’ Shops Events
10:00 a.m. – Kahikina Nahenahe ‘Ohana
11:45 a.m. – Dam Str8
1:00 p.m. – Merriman’s Market Cafe Watermelon Eating Contest
1:30 p.m. – The Three Fat Pigs’ Black Box Challenge by Chef Ippy
3:00 p.m. – Rubber Duckie Race
3:30 p.m. – Mystik Rhythmz
5:00 p.m. – Duck Waddling / Duck Calling Contests
5:30 p.m. – Honoring our First Responders & Awards

Win great prizes by adopting your duckie in support of United Cerebral Palsy.

Queens’ MarketPlace Events
12:30 p.m. – Salsa Latinos
1-5 p.m. – Free cotton candy, popcorn, balloons, and face painting!  Plus Zoo Choo Train rides ($2) and carnival games (25 cents) benefit Special Olympics West Hawaii.

2:00 p.m. – Vizion 20/20
3:00 p.m. – Life in Pursuit
4:00 p.m. – I‘land Boiz
5:00 p.m. – Bobby G and the Generous Thieves
8:30 p.m. – Full Circle

Avoid the rush!  After the fireworks for entertainment until 9:30 p.m. at the Coronation Pavilion!

Waikoloa Beach Resort is a complete destination resort that encompasses two championship golf courses and over 3,000 guest rooms in two upscale hotels, and seven luxury condominiums and vacation home properties. The Resort also includes award-winning Queens’ MarketPlace and Kings’ Shops, offering a wide variety of shopping opportunities, services and dining experiences, plus free entertainment and cultural programs. For more information visit http://www.WaikoloaBeachResort.com or call 886-8822.

New Chefs and New Restaurants at the Waikoloa Beach Resort

Foodies have three new reasons to celebrate at Queens’ MarketPlace, as new chefs and restaurants add their special flavors to the popular shopping center in Waikoloa Beach Resort.

Ippy Aiona at the 2012 Mealani Taste of the Hawaiian Range

First up, “Food Network Star” Season 8 finalist Philip “Ippy” Aiona premiers his new dining option in the Food Court.  Highly-anticipated, Ippy’s Hawaiian BBQ is scheduled to open in early December, serving Aiona’s special twist on the iconic Hawaiian “plate lunch.” Diners can look forward to brined rotisserie chicken basted in homemade teriyaki sauce, furikake mahi burger, miso fried chicken, BBQ ribs and more, served with Ippy’s specialty sauces, homestyle gravies, and indulgences like corn and bread puddings.

Aiona grew up in the restaurant business, learning from New York-Italian and Hawaiian parents, and is presently executive chef of the family’s Italian eatery and coffee bar, Solimene’s in Waimea. He attended California Culinary Academy and Le Cordon Bleu in San Francisco, and refined sophisticated culinary techniques with mellow island style to help win a spot on Chef Giada De Laurentiis’ team on the Food Network competition.  Easy going and popular on the show, Aiona’s excellence in the kitchen, combined with a winning personality, won acclaim through the gamut of challenges to Season 8’s last episode before its grand finale.

Next, in mid December, Chef “TK” Thepthikone Keosavang opens Lemongrass Express—sister restaurant to his popular Lemongrass Bistro in Kona, in an abbreviated version for the Food Court.  With focus on quality fresh food (locally sourced whenever possible), Chef TK says Lemongrass Express will feature excellent value with inexpensive lunch and dinner specials and return-customer incentives.  He plans to offer select beers, wines and sakes to compliment the Asian Fusion cuisine, he describes as “not strictly Thai, not strictly Japanese, Chinese or any one style.”

Chef TK’s award-winning style comes from a long career with some of the best restaurants in the business, including 13 years with the MGM Grand Hotel, where he helped win “Best Japanese Restaurant in Las Vegas” two years in a row for Shibuya.  Most recently Chef de Cuisine of the AAA Four-Diamond Brown’s Beach House at The Fairmont Orchid, Hawai‘i, Chef TK brings worlds of experience to Lemongrass Express, blending French and Asian techniques into his “nouvelle Asian fusion” cuisine.  For more information, visit www.lemongrasskona.com.

Nearby, Sansei Seafood, Steak & Sushi Bar announces the appointment of Executive Chef Paul Goodwin to their award-winning team. A solid professional, Goodwin brings broad knowledge and experience from working with some of Hawaii’s top chefs into the kitchen at Sansei.  Originally from Oregon, his culinary career has included Merriman’s two Hawai‘i Island locations, Wolfgang Puck’s Spago at Four Seasons Wailea, Roy’s in Kihei, Waikoloa and San Diego, and most recently D.K. Kodama’s Sansei Seafood Restaurant in Kihei.

While he works with the staff to maintain and improve high service standards and food excellence, Chef Paul assures loyal customers that their longstanding Kama‘āina, Early Bird and Late Night specials will not change.  Specializing in New Wave Sushi and Contemporary Japanese Specialties, Sansei has won recognition from Honolulu Magazine, the Honolulu Advertiser, Wine Spectator magazine and the Gayot website. For more information, please visit www.sanseihawaii.com or call 886-6286.

Since it opened in 2007, Queens’ MarketPlace in Waikoloa Beach Resort has earned a reputation among visitors and kama’āina as “the gathering place of the Kohala Coast,” full of shopping opportunities, services and great food, along with entertainment and arts programs, movies under the stars and large-scale concerts in Waikoloa Bowl at Queens’ Gardens.  For more information, visit www.QueensMarketPlace.net or call 886-8822.

For more information visit www.WaikoloaBeachResort.com.

New Tastes and Faces for Waikoloa Grill’n Bar

Waikoloa Grill’n Bar announces the addition of two innovative new chefs to the culinary team, and introduces their fresh new all-day menu, already generating “buzz” in the restaurant formerly known as Buzz’s Sand Trap,  in Waikoloa Beach Resort.

Chefs Gabriel Rao and Helgi Olafson

Chefs Helgi Olafson and Gabriel Rao will work with seasoned restaurateur Dickie Furtado, who remains at the helm of Waikoloa Grill’n Bar, to offer diners a fresh flair for lighter, healthier menu choices, side-by-side with timeless favorites and comfort food from 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily.

Helgi Olafson attended Scottsdale Culinary Institute and has followed a varied culinary career path over the last 10 years. A food judge on Fox TV’s “Master Chef 3” with Gordon Ramsay, a shipboard chef for Alaska Charters, sushi chef in Scottsdale’s Sushi Roku, Olafson also has experience with Food in Bloom, Vibrant Table Catering in Portland, Oregon and boutique restaurants on the east coast of Florida. When he’s not cooking, “Chef Helgi” is training for Ironman 2013, or enjoying the natural wonders of his Hawai‘i Island home.

Originally from Oregon, Gabriel Rao developed a strong appreciation for local ingredients, growing up on his family farm in Eagle Creek.  He attended Western Culinary Institute and cooked with many of Portland’s top chefs, such as Chef Kenny Giambolvo at Bluehour, Chef Kit Zhu at Papa Haydns.  He also opened Davis Street Tavern with Chef Gabriel Kaputska, served as Executive Chef of N.W. Natural, and established Black & White Catering Co.  Here in Hawai‘i, “Chef Gabe” shops local farmers markets personally, and incorporates local-grown fruits, vegetables, fish and beef that the Big Island has in abundance.

Signature Calamari

“The chefs’ new dishes are designed for seekers of fresh island flavors that you want to taste when you’re on vacation, because you don’t find them anywhere else,” said co-owner Dickie Furtado.  “They make a Paella with fresh caught mahimahi, clams, shrimp, garlic, Maui onion and saffron.  The Grilled Caesar Salad can be customized with choice of shrimp, chicken, blackened ahi or steak, and wait till you taste the Signature Calamari.  But not to worry, our tried and true favorites are still on the menu—the classic steak and salad meals, our Big Island meatloaf and Friday-Saturday Prime Rib Special,” he said.

“It’s exciting to see Waikoloa Grill’n Bar changing their game a bit and bringing a something ‘new to the table,’” said Waikoloa Beach Resort Vice President of Operations Scott Head.  “Waikoloa Beach Resort is proving itself as a dining destination—in addition to shopping, golf, accommodations and all the other things we have to offer.  And we’re proud to have Waikoloa Grill’n Bar as one of our resort’s fine venues.”

Open 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily, Waikoloa Grill’n Bar offers delicious island cuisine in a relaxing garden setting by Waikoloa Golf’s classic Beach Course.  Their new team of Chefs will create unique specials in addition to their all-day menu of soups, salads, appetizers, “small plates,” “big plates” and luxurious housemade desserts.  The restaurant offers daily Happy Hour 3:30-5:30 p.m., and is available for private parties.  For reservations and more information, call (808) 886-8797 or visit www.waikoloagrillnbar.com.

More information available at www.WaikoloaBeachResort.com

Related articles

• Chef Ippy Aiona, Hawaii’s Own Food Network Star is Cooking Up a Little Competition of His Own at Kings’ Shops this Fourth of July (damontucker.com)
• Swimming With the Dolphins at the Hilton Waikoloa – Mahalo Dolphin Quest! (damontucker.com)

Information on 21st Annual Great Waikoloa Rubber Duckie Race

Get ready for a wet and wacky fun-filled day this Fourth of July at Kings’ Shops Waikoloa Beach Resort.

The 21st Annual Rubber Duckie Race, with 100 percent of the duck sales benefiting the United Cerebral Palsy Association (UCPA) of Hawaii and the Food Basket, is set for July 4.  “Our goal is to raise much needed funds to assist those with cerebral palsy and associated disabilities helping our community here at home on Hawaii Island,” said Steven Schwartz, general manager of Kings’ Shops.  “Last year over $30,000 was raised and this year we hope to raise even more with the public’s help.”

This year, adopted ducks will be tagged with a waterproof ticket and adoption number with the name of the adoptee.  They will then be placed in a giant starting cage which is suspended over the Kings’ Lake.  At exactly 3 p.m. they will be released.  The first 50 duckies to cross the finish line will win over $24,000 in prizes.

Between now and July 4th, adoption certificates are available at Adoption Headquarters, the Kings’ Shops Management Office and at the Queens’ MarketPlace Management Office.  Mail-in order forms are available at Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union locations and the Waikoloa Village Market and online purchases can be made at www.kingsshops.com.  On race day look for the United Cerebral Palsy Association duck booth where adoptions will be available before race time. Adopt a duck with a donation of $5 or a “quack pack” of four adoption certificates and a duckie t-shirt for a $25 donation.

In addition to the race, the first 500 people who arrive at the event at 9:30 a.m. will receive goodie bags filled with gifts, promotions and discounts from Kings’ Shops merchants and a commemorative rubber duckie in honor of the event.  It is an entire day of fun from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. with loads of activities for the entire family including live entertainment on Center Stage, watermelon eating contest, food booths and the famous duck waddling and duck calling contests with great prizes.

Kings’ Shops, Hawaii Island’s premier shopping and dining destination is located at 250 Waikoloa Beach Drive in the Waikoloa Beach Resort.   For more information call the Adoption Headquarters, Kings’ Shops Management Office at (808) 886-8811 or visit www.kingsshops.com.

As the leading retail service provider, Jones Lang LaSalle Retail manages the largest third-party retail portfolio in the country.  The firm’s 87 million-square-foot retail portfolio consists of more than 300 regional malls, strip centers, power centers, lifestyle centers, ground-up development projects, mixed-use centers, transportation terminals and over 6,000 retail ATM’s and bank branches across 50 states. Globally, Jones Lang LaSalle has a retail portfolio of 269 million square feet of property under management and leasing, including more than 9,500 retail locations on four continents. Jones Lang LaSalle is the only global real estate services firm with a team of dedicated, full-time experts who deliver comprehensive and globally integrated services in Energy and Sustainability under one umbrella. The firm offers leading-edge, industry-unique technology, training and tools in energy and sustainability to maximize the benefits for its clients and the greater community.  For more information on Jones Lang LaSalle Retail, visit www.jllretail.com.

Cruise Paradise Classic Car Expo and A Touch of Gold

Waikoloa Beach Resort invites fans of classic cars and classic Motown to a full day of fun, flashbacks, and fabulous music from “back in the day” on Saturday, June 30.  The Resort will host the Cruise Paradise classic car expo at Queens’ MarketPlace and a concert by the Motown tribute band A Touch of Gold at Waikoloa Bowl at Queens’ Gardens.

 

Touch of Gold

“Cruise Paradise 2012,” Hawaii’s major classic car event, happens once every three years for a 10-day period, with events for hot rod enthusiasts across the entire Big Island.  Admission is free for the June 30th “Show & Shine” at Queens’ MarketPlace, with  over one hundred of the hottest classics on display with their proud owners on hand to talk story from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

With their glitterati 70’s costumes, solid harmonies and smooth dance moves, A Touch of Gold specializes in “Motown Hawaiian Style,” and unforgettable songs like “Just My Imagination,” “My Girl,” and more.  In their 25-year history, A Touch of Gold has evolved from an island style “kani ka pila” band to entertainers in demand, winning the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award for the Best R&B/Hip-Hop Album and widespread acclaim for high energy music that brings audiences to their feet every time.

Admission to the concert is $10 adults; $5 teens 13-17; FREE for kids 12-and-under (all general lawn seating).  Tickets are available at Persimmons in Queens’ MarketPlace.  Bring a beach chair or mat for Lawn Seating, no alcohol permitted.  Doors open at 6 p.m., Concert starts at 7 p.m. For more information, visit www.WaikoloaBeachResort.com

Waikoloa Beach Resort is a complete destination resort that encompasses two championship golf courses and over 3,000 guest rooms in two upscale hotels, and seven luxury condominiums and vacation home properties.  The Resort also includes award-winning Queens’ MarketPlace and Kings’ Shops, offering a wide variety of shopping opportunities, services and dining experiences, plus free entertainment and cultural programs.  For more information visit http://www.WaikoloaBeachResort.com or call 886-8822.