By Vanessa Wolf

Vineyard Food Company’s Mahi Mahi with a side of tortellini salad. Photo by Vanessa Wolf.

Next Saturday, July 19, join Kupu Maui at their first annual summer fest “farmraiser.”

Beginning at 3:30 p.m., organizers encourage you to “grab a frisbee, a flashlight, and a beach chair or picnic blanket for summer fun Kupu Maui style.”

Activities include a historical look at agriculture on Maui led by former UH Maui history professor, Dorothy Pyle.

Then, stroll Ka Hale Olinda – the 14-acre Anuhea Flower and Asparagus Farm upon which the event is held –  and learn all about growing asparagu and protea flowers.

There will be two separate farm group tours taking place, so plan to enjoy

• Crudités
• Steak bites with Kula Fields Maui onion Confit
• Anuhea asparagus salsa with chips

Then, work up a new appetite while listening to the music of Marty Dread while playing games on the lawn.

When all that’s said and done, enjoy a “classic farm to table, family-style dinner” from chefs Ralph Giles and Daniel Southmayd of Vineyard Food Company and Soup to Nuts Catering.

Once again, asparagus is the name of the game and they will be serving:

• Balsamic broiled asparagus with tomatoes, shaved parmesan, black pepper and lemon
• Chilled asparagus soup
• Asparagus, mushroom and smoked fish with pasta
• Asparagus panna cotta with strawberry

Unrelated asparagus, but asparagus nonetheless. Photo by Vanessa Wolf.

Afterwards, spread out on the grounds of Ka Hale Olinda, enjoy the sunset and watch the R-rated “It’s Complicated” starring Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin, and Steve Martin.

As always, non-alcoholic beverages will be provided.

Otherwise, the event is BYOB, and that includes BYO-glassware and BYO-wine/beer openers.

In addition, attendees are encouraged to wear casual attire and flat, comfortable shoes and bring a sweater or jacket, beach chair or blanket and flashlight.

Seating is limited and tickets – available for $95 plus fees – tend to sell out quickly, but are (currently) available online.

Event organizers note that proceeds go toward supporting local farmers in their “pursuit of food safety and security.”