Page 3 - Dining Out - Jan 9, 2022

Restaurant Insider with Anne Lee
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suites to sing for them. One of my dearest friends, Jesse Takamiyama, would come and watch me play from Japan, and I would sing in Japanese for them. I got to sing to Imelda Marcos, and she would stand up and sing the song with me. Doing two shows nightly back then, the second show would always sell out with our Japanese visitors.
The Lord blessed me with a gift that al- lowed me to be able to communicate to ev- eryone. If we had guests from France, I would sing a song in French. Growing up in Hawaii, you get to meet people from all walks of life and able to fit in and learn how to adjust and share the aloha. I was able to travel the world and go to places I never dreamed of. It was a wonderful experience and education. I even traveled to Cuba to perform for Fidel Castro’s brother, Raúl.
AL: What is your favorite thing to cook at home? What are some of your favorite foods?
DK: I like to take a can of sardines, cut them, fry them up and throw them on a bowl of rice with a bit of chile pepper water with kimchi
AT THE KAHALA
RESERVATIONS
739.8811 KahalaResort.com
on the side. I am Hawaiian, Korean, Chinese and Irish. My brothers and I would meet my dad every Friday to eat Chinese food in Chi- natown, and one that we liked was Tin Tin. Those days, Chinatown was a place everyone went to kau kau.
I like bloody marys, too; I can make a good one. Hot dogs are also a favorite. If you buy 2two packs, there was plenty for everybody in our household. Hawaiian food is also some- thing I love: pipikaula, poi and tripe stew from Helena’s. I really like the noodles from Little Village Noodle House, and for Korean food, I like to go to Cho Dang near Ala Moana.
AL: What are your favorite items at Plumeria Beach House?
DK: I was so lucky performing at The Ka- hala, I could walk into the kitchen and grab a spoon and check to see if what the chefs were cooking tasted good. Here’s what else I like: Broiled Misoyaki Butterfish ($39) made with Hamakua mushroom and Matsuri rice, steamed MountainView Farms baby bok choy and pickled ginger beurre blanc; Fried Ahi Poke Musubi ($25) with sweet soy, ogo and Asian remoulade; and Kahala Classic Coconut Cake ($14) featuring layers of haupia cream, vanilla chiffon and shredded coconut.
From the breakfast menu: Delicate Thin Pancakes ($18) with choice of maple or co- conut butter; and Corned Beef Hash ($18) with sunny side-up eggs, grilled onions and toast.
AL: Who has had the biggest impact on your life?
Plumeria Beach House
The Kahala Hotel & Resort 808-739-8760 kahalaresort.com
1. Broiled Misoyaki Butterfish ($39, dinner only) 2. Fried Ahi Poke Musubi ($25, dinner only)
3. Kahala Classic Coconut Cake ($14)
4. Delicate Thin Pancakes ($18, breakfast only)
DK: My father and mother. My dad was a rub- bish collector and they both worked very hard to raise and support our family of 10 people. The Rev. Abraham Akaka from Kawaiahao Church was also someone that impacted my life and got me on my way. He always set me straight and taught me ukulele. The four strings are representative of the people of the world: black, white, yellow and brown. When you are young, you think you know everything, you need people to guide you and stay on the right path.
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ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT FEASTS RETURN TO THE KAHALA
Experience Hawaii’s most beloved buffets, sitting oceanfront and alfresco. The ultimate curry buffet lunch is back on Wednesdays featuring mouth-watering Japanese, Thai, and Indian-style curries. Seafood lovers can also rejoice with the return of the Seafood Buffet Dinner – an all-you-can-eat feast of fresh, delicious ocean treasures.
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STARTING JANUARY 12
RESERVE NOW
CURRY BUFFET LUNCH, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. every Wed., $45* per person
SEAFOOD BUFFET DINNER, 5-8:30 p.m. every Fri. & Sat., $88* adult, $44* child (6-12)
*does not include tax & gratuity
Dining Out
/ Jan. 9-15, 2022
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