Isle growers to gather at Capitol

Meet those who supply our community with locally grown food at 2012 Agriculture Awareness Day, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at the state Capitol.

The goal of the event is to develop a grass-roots effort to support agriculture. Exhibitors include Aikane Plantation; College of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resource Management, University of Hawaii-Hilo; College of Tropical Agriculture and Natural Resources, UH-Manoa; Future Farmers of America, Kalani High School; Hawaiian Chip Co.; Ho Farms; Hawaii Coffee Association; Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation; Hawaii Food Industry Association; Kamiya Gold, Manoa Honey Co.; and Roselani Ice Cream.

Exhibitors will set up on the fourth-floor walkway. Call 848-2074.

Vino is among best wine bars in U.S.

Vino Italian Tapas & Wine Bar was named one of America’s best wine bars in the March issue of Travel + Leisure’s online magazine.

Writer Wayne Curtis calls Vino "an intimate, seductive bar with … a terrific selection of wine by the glass." He also mentions the tapas created by chef Keith Endo, such as truffled mac and cheese, agnolotti with baby langoustines and other tasty ravioli. See the write-up at goo.gl/SrmOA.

Vino, at 500 Ala Moana Blvd. in Restaurant Row, is open 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays and until 10:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Call 524-8466 or visit vinohawaii.com.

View ‘Ingredients’ at Punahou

"Ingredients Hawai’i," Robert Bates’ documentary on the Hawaii food production scene, will screen at 6:15 p.m. April 4 at Punahou School. The 30-minute film will be followed by a discussion led by Bates.

Dishes made with locally grown food may be sampled at 5:30 p.m. before the viewing at the school’s Thurston Memorial Chapel.

"Ingredients Hawai’i" features profiles of farmers, chefs, students and Native Hawaiian residents working to create a sustainable local food system. Call 945-1352 or visit www.punahou.edu/foodforthought.

Class will emphasize healthy eating

Learn simple ways to create colorful, ono foods for a high-fiber, cancer-preventive diet at Castle Medical Center’s "Eat Well for Life" class on April 5.

Recipes focus on "eating a rainbow" of fruit, vegetables and grains. Students will sample dishes and go home with recipes.

The class will run from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Wellness Center auditorium. Cost is $15, $20 per couple and $10 seniors and students. Registration is required two days in advance; call 263-5400 or visit castlemed.org.

Macrobiotic feast set for April 11

A macrobiotic meal featuring carrot-ginger bisque, chickpea taro croquettes and a cinnamon and nutmeg fruit crisp will be served at the next Community Dinner, April 11 at Church of the Crossroads.

The gourmet vegan, gluten-free dinner runs 6 to 8 p.m., with the last seating at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $20 advance, $22 at the door (subject to availability of seats). Takeout meals are available. Make reservations by April 8 at macrocommhi@hawaii.rr.com.

The church is at 1212 University Ave.

Taro task force has seats available

The Taro Security and Purity Task Force is seeking applicants to fill seats for Kauai and Hawaii island. The group supports kalo farming, which has been affected by pests, diseases, flooding, drought and a lack of stream water, land and a new generation of growers.

Applicants must actively grow taro on the island they seek to represent, have at least three years’ experience in taro production and be available to attend meetings on various islands and inform the taro communities in their areas.

The task force includes farmers and representatives from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, state Department of Land and Natural Resources, University of Hawaii, Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation and Onipa’a Na Hui Kalo (an organization of taro farmers).

Call Hi’ilani Shibata at 371-0452 or email tarotaskforceHI@gmail.com.