WAILUA — Hundreds of people flowed through the gates of Smith’s Tropical Paradise to re-ignite the Rotary Club of Kapa‘a’s 31st Taste of Hawai‘i event on Sunday, June 4, 2023.
Billed as an event for sampling cuisine from chefs, including some of the premier chefs in Hawai‘i, the event did not disappoint, as more than 20 vendors offered seafood, meat and poultry offerings. Two vendors had vegetarian fare, and eight were teasing taste buds with desserts and sweets offering.
‘Where’s the food?” one hungry guest said, strolling the walkway along the lagoon. “I’m hungry. It’s lunchtime!”
Armed with ballots, guests could vote on a lot of different categories, like “Best Presentation,” “New Discovery at the Taste,” “Aloha Spirit,” “People’s Choice” and more, like the favorite beer from among eight vendors, including the Lani Kai Brewing, Maui Brewing and Kaua‘i’s own Kaua‘i Beer Company.
“Don’t take a picture of me getting drunk,” another guest said.
The goal of the Taste of Hawai‘i is three-fold — first, to raise funds that enable the Rotary Club of Kapa‘a to make a difference through the many projects the club supports, such as the ongoing efforts to keep the Boys &Girls Club, Kapa‘a Clubhouse equipped to take care of its clients.
Secondly, with the help of numerous community volunteers and other Rotary clubs on the island, the Rotary Club of Kapa‘a wants guests to have the best experience and have fun while the club spreads the fellowship and message of Rotary.
Parking, in consideration of the roadwork being done in the Wailua area, utilized the Vidinha Stadium parking lot, with a bus shuttle service to and from the Smith’s Tropical Paradise.
“Are you ready?” Kamika Smith of the Smith’s family operation asked the caretakers of the main entry into the garden. “There’s a couple more cars in there. Once they’re gone, I’m opening this up, and there’s going to be a lot of people.”
•••
Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
How’d they do? Money or no money. Plus I think this kind of events is not for locals. Instead tourist. Any profits?