Wine and Jazz Fest Saturday

The fourth annual Westin Princeville Jazz and Wine Festival is slated for Saturday, offering Kauai residents and visitors a chance to enjoy delicious island-style cuisine, fine wine and hours of jazz.

“I can’t emphasize enough, how much fun it is,” said Jason Sessions, chairman for the festival and food and beverage director at the Westin Princeville. “The feedback that we receive from the guests is, ‘We can’t wait until next year.’”

The event will showcase some of the island’s best restaurants, according to Sessions, including St. Regis Princeville’s Kauai Grill and Makana Terrace, Sheraton Kauai Resort’s RumFire on Poipu Beach, BarAcuda Tapas and Wine, Hukilau Lanai, Merriman’s and more.

“Guests will have a chance to pair the extravagant fare with nearly 20 different wines from some of wine counties’ most sought-after vineyards,”  the event release states.

The evening’s music will feature headliner Eric Gilliom, the Honolulu Jazz Quartet, Michael Ruff and Friends, and taiko drummers.

Sessions said one of the big reasons the Westin — and he personally — invests so much time into the festival is to support the Kauai Lifeguard Association. A silent auction benefiting the KLA will include hotel stays, airfare, activities, dining certificates and much more.

Last year, the hotel was able to cut KLA a check for more than $16,000, which helped create a safer environment for the community.

The KLA is a nonprofit organization that aims to maximize ocean safety in and around Kauai waters through education, training and maintaining high standards of professional and open-water lifesaving practices and techniques.

The festival begins at 5 p.m. on the main lawn of the Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas.

Tickets cost $90 per person and include entertainment, a festival wine glass, food, wine and non-alcoholic beverages, tax and gratuity included.

Info: 827-8700 or westinprinceville.com