Ma‘Ona Musubi, at 921 Alakea St. next to Baker Dudes (another destination for yummy goodness), sells rectangular musubi with the nori covering three sides so when you bite into the exposed rice side, the musubi doesn’t fall apart. The nori also helps keep hands from getting sticky, so it’s great for a quick meal while driving.
Fillings range from kid-friendly Spam to vegetarian- friendly miso-kale (above right). Also: beef curry (above left), mentaiko (center), soboro pork and many more. Price per musubi averages about $2, with premium musubi (konbu, nori ume or bonito) going for $2.68 each.
Ma‘Ona is open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. Go to maonamusubi.com or call 536-8009.
Celebrate National Waffle Day
Aug. 24 is National Waffle Day. Should you be in the Waipahu area that day, celebrate with a free miniwaffle from Hawaii Business Group, a small shop that sells cooking merchandise in Waipio Gentry Business Park, 94-538 Puahi St. (across from Zippy’s).
The shop will have enough for the first 200 customers between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Call 676-0880.
Cooking demos feature local fare
Nine chefs will show what they can do with locally sourced ingredients during Made in Hawaii Festival cooking demonstrations, Friday through Sunday at the Blaisdell Arena.
Derek Kurisu, executive vice president of KTA Super Stores, will emcee; recipe booklets and samples will be provided.
>> Friday: 2 p.m., Colin Hazama, The Royal Hawaiian; 4 p.m., Ray German, Fish House; 6 p.m., Guillaume Thivet, BLT Steak
>> Saturday: noon, Russell Siu, 3660 on the Rise; 2 p.m., Mark Freiberg, Mariposa; 4 p.m., Ronnie Nasuti, Tiki’s Grill & Bar; 6 p.m. David Lukela, Beachhouse at the Moana
>> Sunday: noon, JJ Reinhart, Bali Steak & Seafood; 2 p.m., Lee Anne Wong, Koko Head Cafe
Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $6.
Call 533-1292 or visit madeinhawaiifestival.com.
Try Indian cuisine at Castle class
Foods of India will be featured in a Castle Wellness Center cooking demonstration, 6 to 7:15 p.m. Aug. 25. The session is part of Castle’s 2016 series on international vegan dining.
Cost is $10, which includes recipes and samples. Payment is required two days in advance. Call 263-5400 or go to castlemed.org.
Happy hour author chat
Well, here’s something new: Books & Spirits launches Thursday, combining book club and happy hour, literary matters with literary-themed food and drink. “Eat, Drink and Be Literary!” is the rallying cry.
Jaimal Yogis, author of “Saltwater Buddha” and “The Fear Project,” will be featured alongside cocktails and appetizers prepared by Mud Hen Water.
The party starts at 7 p.m. at RevoluSun Smart Home, on the corner of Ward Avenue and Auahi Street.
Tickets are $10; $20 for admission to a cocktail party with the author at 6 p.m. Go to booksandspirits.com.