Crab Fest raises funds for worldwide charities

Nadine Kam photos
Before: Dungeness crab with potato, sausage and corn, the highlight of the Rotary Club of Ala Moana's annual Crab Fest.

The Rotary Club of Ala Moana hosted its popular Crab Fest April 5 at Kapiolani Community College's Ohia Cafeteria.

The event raises funds to support culinary scholarships at KCC, as well as Rotary's community and international projects in a most delicious way, with all-you-can eat Dungeness crab and all the fixings.

There's a lot of strategizing that goes into devouring a meal like this. Everyone has their own way of eating crab. I like it just fine with the drawn butter that was served, but I also like it with Old Bay seasoning, a taste I picked up in the South, and someone there knew that, so delivered two batches of the seasoning to my table.

Others came prepared by bringing their own ponzu or spicy sauces.

Then there was the matter of "to eat or not to eat" side dishes that included lumpia, deep-fried pork wontons, potato chips, edamame, clam chowder, dinner rolls, corn, sausage and potatoes. The ones who wanted to maximize the crab experience didn't touch those and managed to polish off two to three whole Dungeness crabs.

I had some of the sides, but one crab proved to be plenty for me.

Some people pulled out all the meat so they could devour one whole pile at once, though most shelled and ate as they went along. The work is tiring, so by the time you finish shelling and eating bit by bit, your stomach has messaged your brain that you're full.

Funds raised go to good causes locally and internationally, from the KCC scholarships to helping those in need in Vietnam, Cambodia, East Timor, Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia and Kenya with everything from wheelchairs and medical supplies, to kitchen facilities to feed the hungry, establishing micro banks and providing villages with potable water and sanitary facilities.

The club meets noon to 1 p.m. Thursdays at the Ala Moana Hotel.