The Ko Olina Taste at Kapolei Sept. 12 will features a new awards program instituted by the sponsoring Kapolei Rotary Club, honoring participating restaurants and one high school senior who intends to study the culinary arts.

People attending the event, which raises funds for Leeward area youth and community groups, will vote for the restaurant with the best dish and community spirit, which then will receive the Na Ka Lehulehu Awards (People's Choice).

Members of the Rotary Club of Kapolei will present the Pa 'Aina Ali'i Award for excellence and presentation to a participating restaurant that offers a sense of tradition, place and history of the Kapolei area.

A culinary arts scholarship will be presented to one high school senior in spring 2010 in the name of one of the eight celebrity chefs who occupy the VIP tent. The chef will be determined by Rotary guests at the VIP table.

The event organizers are seeking restaurants to participate in the Ko Olina Taste at Kapolei, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.

Information: Sonya Mendez, sonyarotary@hawaii.rr.com; tasteatkapolei.com