Hale Aina Happenings, Fish Ponds and Farms

Events with New Zealand's most awarded winery, MAO's annual fundraiser, and more.

Heeia fishpond's ongoing wall restoration.

Photo: Olivier Koning

Paepae o Heeia, the nonprofit group that cares for Heeia's ancient Hawaiian fishpond, will hold its annual fundraiser at Hula Grill in Waikiki on Kamehameha Day. Visit the seven stations dishing out food and enter a raffle to win edible goodies such as inamona, dried fish, dried he‘e (octopus) and Samoan crab.
$40, 12:30 p.m. on June 11 at Hula Grill. Buy tickets online at paapohaku.eventbrite.com

Join master sommelier Patrick Okubo and chef Marc Anthony Freiberg at Mariposa for Wine Culture, an event featuring Champagne, Burgundy, foie gras, fresh oysters and cheeses. Among the wines poured: Ayala Blanc de Blanc 2005, Laroche Vaudevey 1er cru Chablis 2009 and Louis Jadot, Vosne Romanee, 2011.
$45, 5:30 p.m. on June 4 at Mariposa. 951-3420 for reservations.

Long before Lord of the Rings, New Zealand was known for its sauvignon blanc wines. Taste one of them from New Zealand's most awarded winery, Villa Maria, at a winemaker dinner at Tiki's Grill and Bar. The five-course menu pairs Villa Maria's 2011 Sauvignon Blanc with a Hokkaido scallops gratin and a 2010 Pinot Noir with olive oil poached venison and foie gras. And, of course, what's a New Zealand dinner without New Zealand lamb? It's served with mint chutney and a cambozola apple turnover. Villa Maria viticulturist Oliver Powrie will be in attendance.
$79, 5:30 p.m. on June 16 at Tiki's Bar and Grill. Buy tickets online at WineDinnerTikis.eventbrite.com

Town Ma MAO (translation: Town to MAO), MAO Organic Farms' annual fundraiser to help fund youth education on the farm, will be on June 28. Tour the farm and enjoy dinner by Town restaurant, which works closely with MA'O year-round. There will be an imu, but don't expect your usual luau fare.
$125 for CSA members/$150 for non-members. 5 p.m. on June 28 at MAO Organic Farms in Waianae. Buy tickets online here.