Through a licensing agreement with Parker Ranch, the Kuroharas plan to continue to use the Parker Ranch and Parker Ranch Store names on their products.
Astronomy event coming to Kona
The public is invited to join Island Naturals, Imiloa Astronomy Center and Astronomy Technology Today magazine from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday for “Astronomy Outreach Night in Kona.” There will be a presentation by Shawn Laatsch, from Imiloa, as well as a constellation tour. Pupus from the Island Naturals bakery and hot chocolate for the keiki will be served. There will be prizes and giveaways.
At 8 p.m., the lights will go off and the event will feature public stargazing through various large telescope inside the parking lot of Island Naturals at 74-5487 Kaiwi St. in Kona’s Old Industrial Area.
For more information, call 326-1122.
Hawaii Gourmet Society acquires Fujimamas Restaurant
Fujimamas, located at 65-1299 Kawaihae Road in Waimea, has been acquired by the Hawaii Gourmet Society LLC.
The restaurant will continue to offer many of Mark Vann’s dishes while introducing a more diverse dining experience and expanded sushi bar offerings as Fujimamas at Red Water Cafe.
Owner and executive chef David Abrahams, whose background includes the Beverly Hills Hotel Polo Lounge, Merriman’s and chef d’ cuisine at the Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii’s Browns Beach House, has introduced a new lunch menu as the first step in expanding the restaurant’s appeal.
Planned upgrading of the restaurant will enhance catering capabilities as well as soon offering outside dining on the lanai.
Fujimamas at Red Water Cafe is at the location formally occupied by the Edelweiss Restaurant. Call 885-9299 for reservations or catering.
Kona coffee chosen by Iron Chef Morimoto
A Kona coffee farm has gotten a major endorsement from one of the culinary industry’s most well-known names: Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto. Morimoto has chosen Kona RainForest Farms Coffee as the exclusive coffee to be served at his new Hawaii restaurant, Morimoto Waikiki.
Morimoto Waikiki will serve Kona RainForest Private Reserve Estate Coffee, a certified organic 100 percent Kona coffee, brewed in French presses for lunch and dinner at its signature restaurant located in the Waikiki EDITION, a new Ian Schrager luxury lifestyle hotel. Kona RainForest Farms coffee will also be for sale at the restaurant.
Kona RainForest Farms coffee is grown on a 41-acre estate located at about the 2,000-foot elevation in the coffee-growing region in Honaunau. The boutique estate grows its coffee organically and sustainably, and then hand harvests, processes and roasts small batches of beans on site to ensure the best flavor.
The honor of being chosen as the signature coffee for Morimoto Waikiki is the latest for Kona RainForest Coffee, which has already received acclaim at one of the most noted venues in America — the White House. In 2006, then-President George W. Bush’s chefs ordered Kona coffee to serve at the National Governors’ White House Dinner. Since then, the Obama White House has ordered more Kona RainForest Farms Private Reserve Estate Coffee for special occasions and state functions.
Conde Nast Traveler honors Fairmont Orchid
The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii along with 23 other Fairmont hotels and resorts around the world, has been recognized as a top place to stay by readers of Conde Nast Traveler, the magazine for world travelers. This year, 25,916 readers voted on more than 10,000 properties and destinations in the poll, awarding Fairmont high-ranking spots in 10 separate categories.
The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii, a AAA Four Diamond Resort, earned a No. 10 on the Top 20 Hawaii list, with an overall score of 89.2. The resort’s local decor, sustainable cuisine along with its award winning Spa Without Walls earned its spot in one of the industry’s most coveted lists.
Printmaking studio opens in Kailua-Kona
Archipelago Custom Printmaking Studio has announced the opening of a Kailua-Kona office in the Lighthouse Building at 74-5614 Palani Road, Suite 3. This is its second location. The company also has a gallery and studio in Kawaihae. The company specializes in custom digital printing and giclee printing for artist reproductions
Owners Geraldine and Arsenio Lopez have over 25 years’ experience in providing professional photographers and artist of varying disciplines imaging services. Using state-of-the-art, wide-format printers, the company can provide large format prints up to 60 inches wide from digital files.
For more information, call 882-7878.
Parker Ranch Store under new ownership
The Kurohara family, owners of Creative Arts Hawaii, has assumed ownership of the Parker Ranch Store in Waimea, effective Nov. 1.
The sale completes Parker Ranch Inc.’s transition out of noncore businesses and its primary focus now will be livestock production and land resource management.
“Our company has been in business on the Big Island for over 38 years, during that time we established a very positive working relationship with the staff at the Parker Ranch Store. We are honored to be in a position to assume ownership of the Parker Ranch Store, a local business with such a long history, cultural richness and excellent customer service. It is our goal to perpetuate the legacy of the Parker Ranch name and its brand as a world renowned ranch, and historical treasure. We are also interested in promoting local farming and ranching lifestyles and local products,” said Randy Kurohara, owner of Creative Arts Hawaii.
Through a licensing agreement with Parker Ranch, the Kuroharas plan to continue to use the Parker Ranch and Parker Ranch Store names on their products.