Savor the spirit of Okinawa this Friday

Bottles of Awamori

On Aug. 30, experience a taste of Okinawa’s cuisine and culture at Karii! An Awamori Experience. This is your chance to try a variety of dishes utilizing the traditional Okinawan alcoholic beverage awamori, all crafted by top local chefs. And of course, there will be plenty of awamori cocktails to sip and savor. The event will be held at the Hawaii Convention Center’s fourth floor in conjunction with the Okinawan Festival presented by the Hawaii United Okinawa Association.

Local chefs will craft culinary creations using the spirit

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Distilled from rice, the name awamori stems from the bubbles (awa) that form during the distillation process (mori).

Awamori Braised Tako Salad Tostada

Randy Kuba, past president of Hawaiian Okinawan Association and creator of the Karii! An Awamori Experience, says “Awamori is not just a beverage, or a drink, it’s a living history of the people and culture of Okinawa.”

Karii! An Awamori Experience serves as the opener for the annual Okinawan Festival.

Among the chefs preparing dishes for the event are such local culinary legends as Lawrence Nakamoto, executive chef of Mariposa at Neiman Marcus; Shaden Sato, banquet and special events chef at the Halekulani Hotel; Chai Chaiwasoree, chef and owner of Chef Chai’s restaurant and Roy Yamaguchi, chef and founder of Roy’s.

Spam Musubi with Awamori

Dishes offered include Spam Musubi with Awamori, Awamori Braised Tako Salad Tostada with Shikuwasa Aioli and Avocado Mousse and Shoyu Awamori Braised Short Ribs.

Tickets for Karii! An Awamori Experience are $125 general admission, 21 and older, and can be purchased from the Hawaiian Okinawan Center by calling 676-5400 or visiting huoa.org.