The Kaua‘i Restaurant Week fundraiser is coming up and begins Sunday, Aug. 21 and runs through Aug. 27. All proceeds from the event go to supporting Big Brothers and Big Sisters Kaua‘i.
Big Brothers and Big Sisters Hawai‘i’s mission is to build and support one-to-one relationships through mentorship, and to help children, teens, parents and volunteers across the state.
Participating restaurants include but are not limited to Big Monster Sushi and Thai, Mark’s Place, Hukilau Lanai, Kaua‘i Poke Company at Poipu Bay, Puakea Grill, Japanese Grandma’s Cafe, Hualani’s Restaurant, Kukui Grove Restaurants, Eating House 1849, Rob’s Good Times Grill, Keoki’s Paradise, Dani’s Restaurant, Chicken In A Barrel and Jojo’s Shave Ice, Naruto Noodles, and MCS Grill.
“I moved to Kaua‘i from Arizona in 1986 and ended up working at this establishment. It was ‘K’s Pub,’ a karaoke bar. I was a server. We took over in 1989. It’s transitioned ever since. Every couple of years we move into whatever’s new and current, we keep doing new stuff, and this is what we’re doing now,” owner of Rob’s Good Times Grill, Rob Silverman said.
Silverman decided to be a part of Kaua‘i Restaurant Week.
“Big Brothers and Big Sisters is an awesome organization. There’s so many young children on Kaua‘i and around the world that need that mentorship, and it’s the only chance some of them have to succeed. So that’s why we support them.”
Naruto Noodles food truck owner Ariane Acoba said she is influenced by her travels.
“I was born and raised on Kaua‘i, we serve all types of noodles, from Italian to Japanese, and Asian, because I love noodles. I think every nationality has one noodle, I traveled to Japan, to China, to the Philippines, I eat and I find what noodles are the best. We traveled and that was part of our research.”
Acoba built her food truck in 2015, and is inspired by the nonprofit’s mission.
“I have lots of nieces and a nephew on the way, I have a lot of god children. It was to show my nieces and all the kids that you can do anything when you put your mind to it. To show them that anything is possible. The only reason that I cook today and I decided to stay in culinary is because I have a lot of chefs who taught me how to cook and the technique, and I think everyone should give back to their community. Especially to the younger generation, they are going to make a difference in the world.”
Customers who take part in restaurant week can win a $100 gift certificate for Keoki’s Paradise. Also offered by Keoki’s Paradise is one complimentary “Original Hula Pie” per table for those customers participating in the restaurant week event.
Supporters of Kaua‘i Restaurant Week include Hawai‘i Cancer Care, Kauai Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC), and HMSA.
For more information visit http://www.bbbshawaii.org/rwkauai.html
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Monique Kemper is a lifelong North Shore resident who lives in Princeville and writes periodically for The Garden Island.
