You love her. She gave you life. Of course you want to do something above and beyond for your mom on Mother’s Day. Something unforgettable. Something that will make her think you’re a rock star. . .

So you take her to Koloa Landing®’s new Mother’s Day brunch on Kauai’s South Shore where you hear the menu not only features poke made by the godfather of poke, celebrity chef Sam Choy, but that Sam will actually be there to chat with your mom. He may even take a picture with her, if she likes — and you’re pretty darn sure she likes.

The moment you walk down the garden path leading to the resort’s grand view of the pool and waterfalls, you know you have chosen well. A curtain of strung orchids stirs in the breeze as Hawaiian guitar music wafts from the new state-of-the-art ballroom designed for modern corporate retreats and the kind Kauai weddings you can only dream of. You recognize local business owners and city councilmembers with their moms. And aren’t those the folks from Fish Express?

The staff welcomes you with the warm spirit of ohana — because everyone here is family. At the table your mother is presented with a rose and one of her favorite traditional sweets: a chocolate opihi. The opihi is a tropical treat handmade at the Kauai Chocolate Company in Port Allen: A guava shortbread morsel from Kauai Kookie is drizzled with caramel and topped with a macadamia nut that has been roasted in house in a copper kettle. All is then smothered in chocolate. It’s basically love in one bite — Hawaiian style.

And then there’s the buffet spread.

King crab fit for a queen: Succulent, sweet and so fresh it was doing the side step just hours before. A velvety bisque is full of tender chunks of local lobster and a roasted mushroom salad pairs perfectly with the thick-carved slabs of Hawaiian-style prime rib au jus. The kids devour macadamia nut pancakes with lilikoi jam and piles of smoked bacon. A busy omelet bar features goodies from the neighborhood Farmer’s Markets. You raise an eyebrow in the direction of the crepe station and vow to save room.

And didn’t you promise your mom the best poke of her life?

Sam Choy, the James Beard Award-winning local legend, smiles and indeed stops by for a hello. “Happy Mother’s Day!” he says and your mom chats with him about the beautiful day and the equally beautiful poke. Choy’s Ke Kai poke tosses tender pieces of tako (octopus) with cherry tomato, and the Kama’aina is melt-in-you-mouth ahi bathed in his secret spicy marinade. Mom is officially star struck — by both the man and his fish.

After the last brownie crumb has been snatched up, your dad takes your mom for a twirl on the dance floor — the guitarist crooning an old standard she loves. Then you all head out to the sunlit lanai to gather for a photo in front of the orchid curtain. You wave Sam Choy in to join you — just in time for the photographer to snap the shot. Your mom laughs and gives you a hug. She can’t stop smiling.

Rock star status? Achieved.

Mahalo to moms everywhere for all you do!

As for dads . . . we love you, too! If you would like to meet Sam Choy and enjoy this level of deliciousness, too, please join us at Koloa Landing® Resort on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 18th for a brunch fit for a king. Sam will be regaling guests with his world-famous-but-totally-local gourmet cuisine guaranteed to make dad’s day. Stay tuned to our website and social media for all the juicy details. . .