Culinary Arts Waikōloa brings chefs, cocktails, live music to Kings’ Shops

An open-air tasting night experience returns at the end of this month to Kings’ Shops in Waikōloa.

Culinary Arts Waikōloa will serve up bites from local chefs and restaurants — plus cocktails, mocktails and live music — from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 27, all to benefit Waikōloa Dry Forest Initiative.

Guests will stroll through tasting stations, stop into the open-air libation lounge for premium cocktails and complimentary mocktails, then settle in for live entertainment at Center Stage.

“Kings’ Shops is where people come to share a night out, whether they live here or are visiting Hawaiʻi Island,” said Kings’ Shops General Manager Lynn Rostau in announcing the upcoming tasting event. “Culinary Arts Waikōloa turns that energy into real support for the places that make Waikōloa special, including the native forest the community is working to protect.”

Participating restaurants

• A-Bay’s
• Foster’s Kitchen
• Kuleana Rum Works
• Roy’s Waikōloa
• Brown’s Beach House at Fairmont Orchid
• Meridia at The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort
• Hawaiʻi Calls at Waikōloa Beach Marriott
• Hau Tree at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel
• Tommy Bahama
• Marlin Bar

Tickets are on sale now.

General Admission is $80, which includes food tasting at each station. ʻAʻaliʻi tickets are $120 and include early access and an exclusive cocktail reception with Kuleana Rum Works.

ʻIlima tickets are $200 and include the ʻAʻaliʻi benefits plus a handmade lei to wear during the evening.

Entertainment for the night features Abe Lagrimas Jr. Trio. Lagrimas is a multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winner, including claiming ʻUkulele Album of the Year in 2022.

“People hear ‘dry forest’ and do not always realize how rare these native ecosystems are or how much work it takes to bring them back,” said Waikōloa Dry Forest Initiative Executive Director Jen Lawson in the announcement. “This event is a chance to enjoy a great night at Kings’ Shops and directly support restoration, education for keiki and stewardship in Waikōloa.”

Waikōloa Dry Forest Initiative was formed in 2011 to protect, promote and restore a native Hawaiian dry forest in Waikōloa, with community-based restoration and education programs focused on its long-term care.

Tickets for the open-air tasting evening fundraiser and updates are available online.

Kings’ Shops are located at 250 Waikōloa Beach Drive in Waikōloa.