Calabash & Cooks is a fundraiser for Mālama Learning Center to support our work to teach and inspire communities to live and work in a healthy, sustainable way. Mahalo nui loa to all who participated as sponsors, guests, entertainers, chefs, and volunteers.  It truly took a village to pull this event off on October 15, 2022 after 4.5 long years!

The Al Nagasako Kaulike Fund was launched at the event in honor of the late Al Nagasako, Kapolei High's first Principal and a founding Board member of Mālama Learning Center.  The fund will help to defray costs (e.g. bus, substitute teacher, supplies, and program fees) for West O`ahu schools to participate in our Ola Nā Kini program.  If you would like to contribute to this on-going special fund, please contact Pauline Sato at pauline(at)malamalearningcenter.org or call 808-305-8287.

Calabash & Cooks 2018 - Mahalo Nui Loa

In addition to our generous sponsors, there are many, many individuals and groups that gave so much toward making this event a success. We have tried to list everyone and apologize if we have made any omissions. Please know that we at the Mālama Learning Center send our heartfelt mahalo to all!

Donations toward the Silent Auction & Country Store:
Arlie-Avery Asiu, Art Explorium, Bali Aga & Paula Nagao, Big City Diner, Bishop Museum, Bodhi Massage Therapy, Christina Enoka, Cindy Benz, Clair de Lune & Kasa Living, Consolidated Theatres, Cynthia Murakami Pratt, Darlene Loo-McDowell, Down to Earth Organic & Natural, Everpaddle, Evelyn Nakamura, Ewa Railway Society, FoundWood, Germaine's Luau, Highway Inn, Hoa`āina O Makaha, Ho`oulu `Āina Leeward CC Shade House, Hui Kū Maoli Ola, Ka'ala Farm, Kaha Nalu, Kahuku Farms, Kako'o 'Oiwi, Kamoauli, KC Hawaii, Kealopiko, Keoki Stender - Marine Life Photography, Kevin Chang, Kōkua Hawai`i Foundation, Kua'āina Ulu Auamo, Kualoa Ranch, Kupihea Hawaiian Art, La'ela'e,  Lance Genson Mahi La Pierre, Lorraine Gershun, Mālama Loko Ea, Meghan Au, Michelle Gorham, My Lei Aloha, Nakoa Goo, Natasha Clarin & Rotary Club of Kapolei, Naturally Hawaiian, Noriko Lauderdale, O`ahu Fresh, Oeno Winemaking, Outside Hawai`i, Pacific Aviation Museum, Paradise Cove Luau, Pauline Sato, Pu'ula'au Remedies, Ryan Lazear, Sakurakai Club of Kapolei High, Samuel Gon, III, Sandra Yeh, Sew Special, Sharing the Butterfly Experience, Shirley Swinney, Small Kine Farm, Stuart Coleman, Sugarland Growers, TJ Maxx, Tamura's Fine Wine & Liquors, Tanioka's, The Original Keala Kai, The Patisserie, Ulu A'e Learning Center, Wai`anae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, WalMart - Kapolei Store, Wai'anae Community Redevelopment Corporation (MA'O Organic Farms), Wendy Handa, Zippy's

DOE High School Culinary Programs:
Campbell High (Julie Morihara-Itagaki), Kapolei High (Jeffrey Sampson), Mililani High (Brandon Hanagami), Moanalua High (Lars Mitsuda), Radford High (Jamie Kahalewai), Wai’anae High (Nicole Ferriman), Waipahu High (Elaine Matsuo)

Professional Chefs:
Aloha Poke Shop (Eddie Mafnas), Ka’aha’āina Cafe (Mark Ka’aha’āina), Merriman’s Monkeypod Kitchen (Kevin Chow)

Emcee:
Ms. Paula Akana

Entertainers:
Chinagu Eisa Hawai`i, Da Braddahs, Performing Arts Center of Kapolei, Shyne

Kapolei High School:
Wesley Shinkawa (Principal), Alan Salvador, Jeffrey Sampson, Jeremy Soriano, Lolita Takeda, Custodians, Denise Huth, and the following academies and clubs: Baseball team, Culinary Arts, Go Green Club, Graphics, Ho’ola Academy, Human Services, Industrial Technology Arts, JROTC, National Honor Society, Sakurakai Club, Samoan Club

Other Key Supporters:
David Adler, Colette Borges, Elden Esmeralda, Nakoa Goo,Ka’ala Farm, Richard McDowell, Sandy Mitani, Paula Nagao, Rotary Club of Kapolei, Donna Shanefelter

Floral Decorations:
Kapolei Greenz, Shirley Swinney, Herma Shinkawa, Pauline Sato

Publicity, Photography, & Videography:
Crystal Clear Communications, Andrea Charuk, Cal Hirai

Calabash & Cooks Planning Committee:
Darlene Loo-McDowell (coordinator), Shirley Swinney (decor chair), Aloha Dayton, Audrey Enseki-Tom, and Christina Enoka (silent auction/country store co-chairs), Cynthia Pratt and Jeffrey Sampson (culinary chairs), Eric Enos and Ka`ala Farm (educational activities chair), Georgette Stevens (entertainment chair), Lori Hoo (logistics chair), Chelsey Jay (volunteer coordinator), ​Sayo Costantino (registration chair),  Pauline Sato (overall coordination)

MLC Board of Directors:
Shirley Swinney (President), Leialoha Dayton (Vice President), Georgette Stevens (Secretary), Lori Hoo (Treasurer), Christina Enoka, Eric Enos, Douglas McD Philpotts, Jeffrey Sampson

Mālama Learning Center put keiki in the kitchen for this year’s Calabash & Cooks fundraiser! In addition to featuring professional chefs from award-winning Roy’s Ko Olina and Firehouse, this year’s event at Kapolei High School also made students the chef de cuisine. Approximately 36 student chefs from six public high schools – Campbell, Kapolei, Moanalua, Radford, Waiʻanae, and Waipahu – prepared at least one dish for guests to enjoy using locally grown ingredients. This event gave guests a taste of our work to educate the public about sustainable, healthy living in our island home.

Featured dishes:
Some of this year’s featured dishes included Campbell High’s signature appetizer: kalua pork and spinach won tons with sweet onion salsa, Wai'anae High's mouth-watering beef sliders with island greens on sweet roll and taro chips, Moanalua High's hearty paniolo beef stew with herb bread, Radford High's favorite poke fried rice, Waipahu High's lip-smacking coconut panna cotta with pineapple compote, and Kapolei High’s award-winning pineapple-banana-lilikoi crumble with fresh liliko'i whipped cream. Every dish had least four locally grown or sourced ingredients. And this is not even counting the dishes from the professional chefs from Roy's at Ko Olina, Pono Plates, Firehouse, and La'ela'e! (See our Program for the full menu.)

Student chefs also competed in an 'ahi bowl best recipe contest sponsored by the Pacific Islands Fisheries Group. Their creations were exhibited and reviewed by a panel of judges. Congratulations to all entrants, and to the winners: Campbell High School (1st place), Waipahu High School (2nd place), and Kapolei High School (3rd place).

Entertainment:
Calabash & Cooks always has the best entertainment in town! Live entertainers included the smooth and original acoustics by David Adler, rousing drums and singing by Chinagu Eisa, melodious vocals of popular Hawaiian songs by Jon Kaina, enchanting hula perfomances by Hālau O Kaululaua'e, and spontaneous comedy by the awesome Augie T!

Silent Auction and Country Store:
Our tables were full of items donated by generous individuals and businesses supporting the Mālama Learning Center. Guests went home with unique hand-crafted items, fun "experience" packages for the family, beautiful native Hawaiian plants, and delicious home-made goodies. 

Proceeds from Calabash & Cooks will benefit the Mālama Learning Center and our mission to teach and inspire communities to create healthy living environments.

Download our event Program.

Donations toward Silent Auction and Country Store:
Alan Tsuchiyama (KCC), Amy Tsuneyoshi, Art Explorium, Audrey Enseki-Tom, Big City Diner, Bishop Museum, Cal Hirai, Camp Pālehua, Consolidated Theatres, Cyndy Pratt, Darlene Loo-McDowell, Everpaddle, Germaine's Lūʻau, Gill ‘Ewa Lands, Hawaiʻi Pesto, Hawaiʻi Potters' Guild, Hawaiian Forest, I-Trampoline, James Kwon, Kahuku Farms, Keala Kai Art, KHS Culinary Program, Kim Coffee-Isaak, Kōkua Hawaiʻi Foundation, Ko Olina Golf Club, Kristina Valentine, Kuaʻāina Ulu ʻAuamo, Kualoa Ranch, Kupa 'Āina, Laʻelaʻe, Hoʻoulu ʻĀina - Native Plant Shadehouse at Leeward Community College, M. P. Farm, Mākeke Kapolei, Mākeke Waiʻanae, MA'O Organic Farm, Mahi La Pierre, Maile Sakamoto, Manny's, Mokulele Airlines, Monkeypod Kitchen Ko Olina, Nate Yuen, North Shore Soap Factory, Oeno Winemaking, Pacific Islands Fisheries Group, Pacific Links, Paradise Cove, Paradise Kettle Corn, Patrick Ching, Pauline Sato, Pōmai Kūlolo, Quezada's, Sandra Yeh, Shirley Swinney, Small Kine Farm, Sugarland Growers, Tamura's Fine Wine & Liquors, The Nature Conservancy, The Patisserie, The Sugar Hut, Touan Farm, Waikīkī Aquarium, Wet 'n' Wild, Whole Foods, Zippy's

Emcee and Entertainers:
Paula Akana, Chinagu Eisa Hawaiʻi, David Adler, Jon Kaina, Hālau ʻo Kaululauaʻe, Augie T

MLC Board of Directors:
Georgette Stevens, President; Eric Enos, Vice President; Shirley Swinney, Secretary; Lori Hoo, Treasurer, Aloha Dayton, Jeff Sampson

Kapolei High School (KHS):
Elden Esmeralda (Principal), Alan Salvador, Jeff Sampson, Jeremy Soriano, Lisiate Heimuli, Lolita Takeda, Custodians, and the following academies and clubs at Kapolei High School: Graphics, Human Services, Industrial Technology Arts (Ransen Rodrigues-Akau), Culinary Arts, Baseball team, JROTC, Leo Club, National Honor Society, Project Grad, Samoa Club, SPED program

Other Key Supporters:
Carol & Mark Mitsuyasu, Jason Miyanaga, Betty Shimabukuro, Kurt Tsue, Yvonne Cansibog, Jewelynn Kirkland, Laura McDowell, Leonard Govan, Lane Hiramoto and HECO volunteers, Sandy Mitani, Evy Braum

Floral Decorations:
Kapolei Greenz, Michelle Jones, Rudy Dizor, Shirley Swinney

Professional Chefs:
Firehouse (Eddie Mafnas), La’ela’e (Earl Dayton), Pono Plates (Scott Sagon), Roy’s Ko Olina (Darryl Shinogi)

DOE High School Culinary Programs:
Campbell (Julie Morihara-Itagaki), Kapolei (Jeffrey Sampson), Moanalua (Lars Mitsuda), Radford (Jamie Kahalewai), Wai`anae (Nicole Ferriman), and Waipahu (Elaine Matsuo)

Calabash & Cooks Committee:
Aloha Dayton and Audrey Enseki-Tom (silent auction co-chairs), Chelsey Jay (volunteer coordinator), Cynthia Pratt and Jeffrey Sampson (culinary chairs), Darlene Loo-McDowell (coordinator), Eric Enos and Ka'ala Farm (activities chair), Georgette Stevens (entertainment chair), Lori Hoo (sponsor chair), Paula Nagao (country store &  logistics), Pauline Sato (overall coordination), Sayo Costantino (registration chair), Shirley Swinney (décor chair)

Calabash & Cooks, Mālama Learning Center’s signature culinary fundraising event, took place on April 18, 2015 at the Kapolei High School Plaza. This exciting event featured some of Hawaii’s favorite chefs, including special guest Chef Chair Zach Sato, Executive Chef of Merriman’s Maui and local favorite Chef Co-Chair Mark “Gooch” Noguchi of Pili Group. Other restaurants and caterers included: Miso & Ale, NuiKealoha, Kaʻahaʻāina Café, Ori Ann’s Vegan Kitchen, Firehouse, Nani Kore, Pono Plates, and Hurricane Heat(Kapolei’s award-winning culinary arts program)!   

As participants ate their way “around the world,” they were treated to live entertainment from a variety of cultures, including Chinagu Eisa (Okinawan style taiko), Shakti Dance Movement and Devi Dance Company (tribal fusion belly dance), Hālau ʻO Kaululauaʻe and Hālau Nā Maka O Ka Lauaʻe (hula accompanied by Kanai ʻa and Friends), and vocals by David Adler (rhythmic folk originals) and Hawaiian Style Band singer-songwriter, Wade Cambern.

Our Country Store and Silent Auction held locally made goodies and one-of-a-kind special items.  Kapolei High School students were involved in just about every aspect of the program, gaining real-life experience that will prepare them for life after high school.

Calabash & Cooks 2015 was a wonderful way for the community to come together to celebrate the cultures that make up the “melting pot” of Hawaiʻi!  The proceeds of this event will benefit the Mālama Learning Center and our mission to teach and inspire communities to create healthy living environments.

Mahalo to our sponsors for supporting the Mālama Learning Center and making ticket prices affordable.

Emcee and Entertainers:
Paula Akana, Chinagu Eisa, David Adler, Hālau Nā Maka o ka ʻĀina, Hālau ʻo Kaululauaʻe, Shakti Dance Movement and Devi Dance Company, Stone San Nicolas, Wade Cambern

Donations toward Silent Auction and Country Store:
Art by Laarni Gedo, Art Explorium, AT&T, Bernice Akamine, Bea Coffee, Big City Diner, Brian Beaty, Bruce Koebele, BW Handmade, Cal Hirai, Cameron Books, Consolidated Theatres, Darlene and Ronald Chang, Everpaddle, Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaiʻi Environmental Education Association, Hawaiʻi Potters' Guild, Hawaiʻi Yacht Club, I-Trampoline, Kaʻala Learning Center, Kahuku Farms, Kawika Au, Keala Kai Art, Kim Coffee-Isaak, Larry's Bakery, Lavacore International & Indigenous Soaps, LCC native plant shadehouse - Hoʻoulu ʻĀina, MW Restaurant, Marriott's Koʻolina Beach Club, Micro Plastic Coasters, Mokulele Airlines, Mahi La Pierre, Maile Sakamoto, Mākeke Mahiʻai, Marine Life Photography, Nani Kore, Nate Yuen, Oahu Fresh, Pacific Links, Paula Nagao, Pauline Sato, Roy's Koʻolina, SMART ʻOhana, Sugar Hut, Sugarland Growers, Tanioka's, The Nature Conservancy, Voyaging Foods, Waikiki Aquarium, Walmart, Wet 'n' Wild, Wyland Foundation, Zippy's

Kapolei High School (KHS):
Elden Esmeralda, Daryl Madela, Jeff Sampson and KHS Culinary students, Jeremy Soriano, Jill Tanaka and KHS Human Services students, Kevin Rice and KHS Industrial Technology students, Mikiala Kanekoa, Darlene Chang and KHS Japanese language students, Sgt. Major Cece and KHS JROTC, Pauline Sawai and KHS Graphics Academy, Victor Salazar, custodians

Calabash & Cooks Committee:
Amanda Corby Noguchi (event planner), Chelsey Jay (volunteer coordinator), Cynthia Pratt (culinary chair), Eric Enos and Ka’ala Learning Center (activities chair), Georgette Stevens (entertainment chair), Elden Esmeralda (Kapolei High), Aloha Dayton (silent auction chair), Lori Hoo (sponsor chair), Marissa Jacobs (event planner), Paula Nagao (overall logistics), Pauline Sato (overall logistics), Shirley Swinney (décor chair)

MLC Board of Directors:
Georgette Stevens, President; Eric Enos, Vice President; Shirley Swinney, Secretary; Lori Hoo, Treasurer; Al Nagasako; Laura McDowell; Aloha Dayton; Lloyd Haraguchi

Other Key Supporters:
Frolic Hawai'i, Hawaiian Electric Company volunteers, Jewelynn Kirkland, Leornardi family, Loo and McDowell family, Michelle Jones, Rudy Dizor, Shar Leong

The Mālama Learning Center is extremely grateful to all who contributed toward our very first culinary fundraising event, Calabash & Cooks, which took place on Saturday, November 2, 2013 from 5:30-8:30 pm at the Kapolei High School Plaza.  This event featured some of Hawai’i’s favorite chefs, including Celebrity Chef Chair Lee Anne Wong from Top Chef, and local favorite Chef Co-Chair Mark “Gooch” Noguchi of TASTE and Pili Group. Other chefs included: Chef Robert "Kealoha" Domingo - Highway Inn @ Kaka'ako, Chef Chris Okuhara - Miso & Ale, Chef Darryl Shinogi - Roy's, Ko'olina, Chef Ori Ann Li - Ori Ann's Vegan Kitchen, Chef Eddie Mafnas - Firehouse, and Chef Mark Kaʻahaʻāina -Kaʻahaʻāina Cafe.  Kapolei High's Hurricane Heat also provided delicious desserts.

The evening, emceed by the wonderful Paula Akana of KITV4, highlighted the calabash of cultures here in Hawai’i through the food, items in our silent auction and country store, cultural demonstrations, and live entertainment from local entertainers.  Students from Kapolei High School played a key role in nearly every aspect of the event, allowing us to create a fun evening for the community to come together to celebrate all the cultures that make up the “melting pot” of Hawai’i!  The proceeds of this event will go a long way toward helping us continue our education programs.  If you missed the event this time, be sure to come next year!

Please see photos from the event by Adriane Nicole.

Video highlights are courtesy of Cal Hirai.

Mahalo nui loa to:


Our generous corporate sponsors

Corporate Honoree

Hawaiian Electric Company

Ali'i Mālama

D.R. Horton Schuler Homes

Hunt Companies

'Ohana Mālama

Wai'anae Coast Comprehensive Health Center

Hoaaloha Mālama

Chevron Energy Solutions

DuPont Pioneer

The Gentry Companies 

Other financial donors: PVT Land Company, Haseko, Voyaging Foods, Townscape, Inc., Al Nagasako
 
Our many generous in-kind donors:

Adriane Nicole, Alani Apio, Alluvion, Anthony Deluze, Art Explorium, AT&T, Bernice Akamine, Big City Diner, Bruce Koebele, Chillaxin', Cupcake & Things, Ed Morita, Esther Ringor, Hawaiʻi Department of Land & Natural Resources, Hawaiian Forest.com, Hoala Greevy, Hoʻoulu 'Aina Native Plant Nursery, Ihilani JW Marriott Hawaii, Jack & Kim Johnson, Joyce &  Robert Aton, Ka'ala Learning Center, Kainalu Kilaulani, Kapolei High School, Keala Kai, Kroc Center, Mahi LaPierre, Maile Sakamoto, Malia Lagaso, Maui Bottle Monkey, Maybelle Namba, Michael Buck, Missing Polynesia, Momi Design, Morning Brew, Paula Akana, Podium Raceway, Sam Gon, Shar Leong, Shirley Swinney, Smart ʻOhana, Styrophobia, Sugarland Farms, Tanioka’s, The Nature Conservancy, Walmart Kapolei, Within Wire, Zac Johnson, Zippy's

Our entertainers:
Lucky Daiko, Jon Kaina, PACKids, Holunape, Halau O Kaululaua’e

Our many volunteers:

Phyllis Nakasone, Gena Rego and Alma, Leonardi family, Loo-McDowell family, and Kapolei High School’s Japanese Classes, JROTC Program, Culinary Program, Natural Resources Production course, Interact Club, Polynesian Club, Graphic Arts Department, Industrial Technology Academy

Our planning committee:

Paula Nagao, Lori Hoo, Shirley Swinney, Georgette Stevens, Eric Enos, Elden Esmeralda, Kelsie Valentine, Cynthia Pratt, Pauline Sato, and Under My Umbrella

And, of course, our exhuberant chefs:

Lee Anne Wong, Mark “Gooch” Noguchi, Robert “Kealoha” Domingo, Chris Okuhara, Darryl Shinogi, Ori Ann Li, Eddie Mafnas, Mark Kaʻahaʻāina, Cynthia Pratt and Kapolei High’s culinary students