Slack-Key Legends Are Tuning Up

Rev. Dennis Kamakahi takes the stage Jan. 15 at Kaua‘i Community College

It’s time to put plans into practice to ensure those New Year’s resolutions come to fruition. That said, for those who’ve made a resolution to up their ki ho’alu culture, January provides the perfect venue: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 15 at Kaua’i Community College Performing Arts Center, when legendary slack-key greats Ledward “Led” Ka‘apana, Dennis Kamakahiand Nathan Aweau will improvise sets of creative mastery together. Kamakahi, who says starting the tour on Kaua’i is “a great way to open up the new year,” is not to be missed, as he’s arguably the greatest Hawaiian composer of his generation.

Congratulations are due to Kamakahi and Ka’apana, who have been nominated for 2011 Grammy Awards: Ka’apana for his CD recording The Legend, and Kamakahi as co-producer and recording artist on the CD Amy Hanaiali’i and the Slack Key Masters ofHawaii. For tickets, go to www.hawaiianlegends.org …

Those wanting to lose their couch-potato status and get going on their get-in-shape New Year’s resolutions will want to have a go at Stacy Ricciardi’s‘s Boot Camp, which no longer will rely on a drop-in format.

To gear up for some hard play, couch potatoes and athletes alike can now sign up month-to-month at a rate of $10 per class ($15 without reservations). But make sure to sign up with ample lead time, as it takes a minimum of eight to make a class. Plan for a well-rounded workout including strength, agility, cardio and stretch. For a current class schedule, e-mail: bootcampbystacy@hawaii.rr.com or call 635-1143 …

Yum Cha chefs Rodney Ikehara and Richard Cariaga closed out the year by dishing up some dim sum delights at the grand reopening of the Asian fusion restaurant at the Grand Hyatt in Po’ipu. “Yum cha” is Cantonese for drinking tea but also translates to catching up over a spread of delectable dishes. The high-end restaurant had somewhat of a rejuvenation and rebirthing theme to accompany the food, with celebrations that included Japanese taiko drumming, a blessing and overall festive mood. The rest of the Grand Hyatt also is open for business, and congrats to the thriving staff and general manager Doug Searsfor making the reopening go off without a hitch …

Yum Cha chefs Rodney Ikehara and Richard Cariaga dish up heavy pupu

The former Eastside wine boutique Da Kine Wine has officially closed up shop and moved to Princeville, and renamed Princeville Wine Market. Owner Daniel Braun is especially proud of his new digs and says the space is a great place to call home. The little shop sells organic and biodynamic wines, glassware, aerators, cutesy wine stoppers and wine charms, and will feature a free, grand-opening wine-and-chocolate tasting from 4 to 7 p.m. Jan. 8 …

Kaua’i Beach Resort at Nukoli’i has a new manager, Matthew Pickett, named Dec. 4 by general manager Robin Graf. Pickett will handle the 350-room property following 16 years of hospitality-industry experience, which includes five years with Halekulani in Waikiki and Waikiki Parc Hotels. Pickett will be involved in launching Naupaka Terrace’s Sunday Brunch as well as augmenting art and wine events and poolside entertainment …

Those looking to restore the Native Hawaiian culture can now look to the very center of Kaua’i’s premier resort destination in Po’ipu. Interestingly, the philanthropic project was started by one of the founders of eBay (and Honolulu’s Civil Beat) Pierre Omidyar. Work is ongoing to restore its three significant archaeological sites, the Kanei’olo’uma heiau (an ancient massive sporting complex), the Koloa Field System (an ancient network of irrigation ditches and lo’i) and Prince Kuhio Park (near the birthplace of Prince Jonah Kuhio). The one drawback is you have to register online, but that’s arguably a small price to pay to help save these three significant cultural sites. Go to www.islandinnovation.org to learn more …

Congratulations to Kaua‘i Fire Department, which once again won the county’s Holly Jolly Singing Contest. Of course there were contenders, and kudos are also due the Transportation Department and members of the County Attorney’s Office, the latter of whom, unfortunately, didn’t pull off their shirts and do push-ups as they did last year …