Kona Commons is the first phase of a multiphase project being developed by MK Kona Commons LLC, a joint development of the MacNaughton Group and Kobayashi Group, of Oahu. An integral piece of the Queen Liliuokalani Trust’s master plan for its Kailua-Kona property, Kona Commons has been described as a new town center for Kona. A highlight of this phase of the complex is an 803-kilowatt photovoltaic system on the mall’s rooftop.
Cookbook sales raise $9,000 for United Way
KTA Super Stores recently presented a check for $9,000 from the proceeds of book sales of “What the Big Island Likes to Eat Cookbook” to the Hawaii Island United Way. In addition, Bennett Hymer, publisher of the cookbook, and Gay Wong, of Mutual Publishing, also presented a check for more than $4,000 as part of their proceeds from book sales.
The cookbook, written by local food writer Audrey Wilson and published by Mutual Publishing, contains a collection of more than 120 Hawaii Island recipes from plantation days and paniolo gatherings, specialties from long gone restaurants now part of Hawaii Island lore, creations from a new generation of Hawaii Island chefs and comfort food recipes for today. With much emphasis on homegrown produce and products from Big Island farms and open markets, the book is full of nostalgic photos, including pictures of various restaurants and food photography by Kaz Tanabe.
KTA Super Stores will have a limited supply of the cookbooks available for purchase through Mother’s Day.
Kona Commons grand opening is Saturday
Kona Commons, the newest commercial center in Kona, will hold its grand opening celebration from 3 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday.
Located on the corner of Makala Boulevard and Queen Kaahumanu Highway, the center offers 130,000 square feet of shopping and dining. Everyone is invited to attend the grand opening activities, which will feature the center’s stores and restaurants, as well as four nonprofit groups and end with a evening display of fireworks. Event attendees may enter a drawing to win $250, $500 and $1,000 Kona Commons shopping sprees.
The event starts at 3 p.m. with a two-hour food sampling at all of the restaurants located in the open-air mall — Genki Sushi, Panda Express, Subway, Taco Del Mar and Tasty Thai. At 6 p.m., there will be a blessing, an oli by the keiki of Ke Kula Ehunuikaimalino and entertainment on an outdoor stage, including a torch- lighting ceremony, Polynesian drummers, a lion dance and music by Ekolu Mea Nui — Sonny Lim, Kunia Galdeira and Kevin Kealoha. A grand finale fireworks display will wrap up the celebration.
Throughout the afternoon and evening four nonprofits will host information booths and will sell a Kona Commons coupon book featuring offers from the center’s stores — Office Max, PetCo, Sports Authority, Alligator Funkhouse, Aloha Kona Kids, Emma’s Flowers, Jeans Warehouse, Super Cuts, Trixx Salon & Spa and Vitamin Shoppe — and restaurants. All profits from the sale of the coupon books will benefit the Hawaii Island Humane Society, Big Island Pop Warner football, Friends for Fitness and the Hawaii Community College Palamanui Campus.
Kona Commons is the first phase of a multiphase project being developed by MK Kona Commons LLC, a joint development of the MacNaughton Group and Kobayashi Group, of Oahu. An integral piece of the Queen Liliuokalani Trust’s master plan for its Kailua-Kona property, Kona Commons has been described as a new town center for Kona. A highlight of this phase of the complex is an 803-kilowatt photovoltaic system on the mall’s rooftop.