The delicious music of award-winning Hawaiian singer-songwriter Nathan Aweau caps off a day-long celebration of local food and coffee at the Roast & Roots event on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Sheraton Kona Resort &Spa at
The delicious music of award-winning Hawaiian singer-songwriter Nathan Aweau caps off a day-long celebration of local food and coffee at the Roast & Roots event on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay.
Highlights of the event, now in its second year, include a “Buy Local” foods and artisans’ marketplace, People’s Choice coffee-tasting contest, chefs’ cooking challenge, live remote broadcast by KAPA radio, and entertainment by Alii Keanaina and MC Paris DeCambra, leading up to Nathan Aweau in concert at noon.
Winner of multiple Na Hoku Hanohano Awards, including being named three times Male Vocalist of the Year, Aweau began his musical career accompanying greats like Henry Kapono, Loyal Garner, Noelani Cypriano and a 16-year run with Don Ho.
He has taught music, performed background music for The Travel Channel and other shows, as well as released two CDs on his own before teaming up with Barry Flanagan as “Hapa” from 2003 to 2010. Of his most recent release, the all-original CD “Kaneohe,” the New York Times said “Nathan has an in-depth understanding of orchestration, and his singing style is effortless.”
Presented by Hawaii Coffee Association, Hawaii Department of Agriculture and The Feeding Leaf events and catering company, Roast &Roots is a collaborative project that also welcomes conference attendees of the National Association of State Directors of Agriculture.
NASDA attendees, along with island residents and visitors, will have opportunity to taste and learn about local, sustainable Hawaii Island foods that have earned the HDOA Seal of Quality, from vendors such as Buddhas Cup Coffee, Ohana Orchards Farms &Tai Shan Farms. Living Aquaponics and Kona Coffee &Tea will also be represented, along with many others.
The chefs cooking challenge allows the audience to sample creations by Chef Dane Tanabe of Hilton Waikoloa Village, Chef Casey Halpern of Cafe Pesto and Chef Clem Kaimiola of Sheraton Kona Resort &Spa at Keauhou Bay, as well as other top island chefs who make “Buy Local” a priority.
Admission at the door is $6 per person. No advance ticket sales.
For more information, contact Event Coordinator Tracey Apoliona at The Feeding Leaf via email to mkc01@hawaii.rr.com, or by calling 960-3094. Information is also available online at www.Facebook.com/RoastandRoots.
