Hale ‘Aina Happenings: Here’s What’s New With Hawai‘i Restaurants in August 2019

A new half-off happy hour, a giant bento just in time for football season, plus a way to try nine Hale ‘Aina-winning restaurants in just one spot.

By Christi Young

New Happy Hour at Lineage

Lineage’s cold ginger chicken with scallion pesto and salted black bean is one of the items that is half-off at the new happy hour starting Sept. 1.

Photo: Steve Czerniak

If you needed another reason to visit Sheldon Simeon’s acclaimed restaurant (and our readers pick for Best New Restaurant of 2019) how about half off dishes? Starting Sept. 1, you can get eight items for 50% off including Lineage’s katsu curry with fried cauliflower, adobo turkey tails and Simeon’s musubi with housemade Spam and a tamarind glaze. The Lineage Paloma and the cocktail of the day are $10, and draft beer and some wines are also discounted. But get there on time and order quickly—the deals are only offered 4-5 p.m.

Starting Sunday, Sept. 1 and running daily 4-5 p.m. 3750 Wailea Alanui Drive, Wailea. (808) 879-8800, lineagemaui.com.

Hale ‘Aina Awards Celebration

Photo: Courtesy of 53 By the Sea

Parmigiano risotto, Maui venison ceviche (above), oxtail soup and green curry are on the menu at our biggest foodie event of the year. For the first time, our Hale ‘Aina awards celebration dine-around event will be held on the Swell deck of the ‘Alohilani Resort (at sunset no less). Join us for unlimited sips and bites and upgrade to VIP for early access, additional dishes from Square Barrels and Herringbone and an air-conditioned lounge.

$125, $210 VIP. Saturday, Sept. 7, 6:30-9:30 p.m. 2490 Kalākaua Ave., hnltix.com.

SEE ALSO: Here’s What Hawai‘i’s Best Restaurants Will be Serving at the 2019 Hale ‘Aina Celebration

Pai Summer BBQ Dinner

Get some Labor Day grilling inspo at Pai Honolulu’s August wine dinner. Chef Kevin Lee is serving up 12-hour smoked brisket, tamarind BBQ pulled pork and Mom’s “Crack” Fried Chicken along with his takes on favorite sides including green bean casserole and mac and cheese (with or without truffle). In this heat, we’re especially loving the optional trio of pairings—sparkling, refreshing and hearty options include a pineapple cider and Pilsner for beer drinkers and La Maison de Grand Esprit and a rioja for those who prefer wine.

Tuesday, Aug. 27, 5:45-10 p.m. $81.06, $118.48 with pairings. 55 Merchant St. (808) 744-2531, hnltix.com.

Side Street Inn’s Biggie Bento

We saw this on Instagram and were instantly intrigued. It’s not just a name, the Biggie Bento weighs 12 pounds (that’s 9-by-13-inch foil pan) and comes with white rice, garlic chicken, boneless kalbi and roast pork poke to feed about 12. Don’t worry, you can upgrade to fried rice for $20 extra. The big order comes with a big, of course, bonus: an oversized pair of hashi. It’s only available at the Kapahulu location right now (the Ala Moana one is closed for renovations).

Special order must be made 24 hours in advance. $75. $95 with fried rice. 614 Kapahulu Ave., #100, (808) 739-3939, sidestreetinn.com.

Sign Up: Moana Masters: Elevating the Thanksgiving and Christmas Feasts

Photo: Courtesy of the moana surfrider.

It’s not as hands-on as you might expect, but we’ve had fun at the Moana Surfrider’s cooking class series. In the final one for 2019, chef Colin Sato will show you how to break down a whole turkey and ways to cook each part. If you’re a little uncertain about your butchering skills, there will be a holiday cocktail and turkey jook arancini to start. Learn how to sous vide and sear, pick up pairing tips from mixologist Chandra Lucariello, then dive into a family-style lunch of chicory and walnut salad with poached pears, a turkey Porchetta with bacon and Brussels sprouts and an apple and cranberry pie.

$100. Saturday, Sept. 14, noon-2 p.m. Moana Surfrider’s Beachhouse at the Moana, 2365 Kalākaua Ave., (808) 921-4600, beachhousewaikiki.com.

Upcoming Hale ‘ Aina Events:

Aug. 27—Modern Korean Wine Ovation Dinner at Stage

Aug. 28—Off the Eaten Path four-course dinner at 100 Sails Restaurant & Bar

Aug. 30—Eatshop II dinner with chef Hitoshi Sugiura at Vegan Hills

Sept. 3—12th Ave. Grill opens on Tuesdays

Sept. 22—Tūtū’s Kitchen Sunday dinner at Highway Inn Kaka‘ako

HONOLULU Magazine established the Hale ‘Aina Awards in 1984, becoming the first local restaurant awards program. The first event was a potluck celebration in a HONOLULU Magazine conference room and over the years it’s grown into a glamorous gala. Now, it’s Hawai‘i’s longest-running and most distinguished culinary awards program, voted on by the savvy readers of HONOLULU Magazine for the best restaurants in Hawai‘i in 38 categories. Don’t miss our best dining event of the year. Tickets for the 2019 Hale ‘Aina Celebration presented by First Hawaiian Bank are limited and on sale now!