BEAT OF HAWAII » Culture and Events

Hawaii Foods: Locavores Rank 5th Nationwide

Jeff — Sat, 12 May 2012 22:58:15 +0000

Hawaii is moving to the top of the list in its commitment to raising and eating locally grown food. Based on 2010/2011 government data, a new study by The Strolling of the Heifers has ranked locally sourced food per capita by measuring farmers markets and community supported agriculture. Hawaii now ranks fifth nationally.

Here are some examples of Hawaii locally sourced food to enjoy on your Hawaii vacation. Please include your suggestions in the comments below.

Locavores: those interested in eating locally produced food.

Coffee and tea

Our picks: When on Big Island our Hawaii coffee picks are the many small hand-picked farms on the Kona side. As far as commercial goes, we’ve been impressed with Coffees of Hawaii on Molokai and their dark roast Muleskinner. Albert, Maria and crew do a great job on maintaining this beautiful plantation.

Hawaii tea grown on the Big Island and elsewhere will soon become well known too. The Big Island tea company has just sold its entire first batch to Harrods of London for $4,800 per pound.

You won’t be able to buy the tea anywhere in Hawaii or on the mainland. Big Island Tea signed an exclusive deal with Harrods.

Fruits, vegetables, nuts, fungi and honey

Our picks: Farmers markets on all islands including Hilo, Hanalei, KCC on Oahu, and others. Also Big Island Hamakua mushrooms found at Hawaii Costco stores and elsewhere.

Cheese

Our Hawaii cheese picks: Maui’s Surfing Goat Dairy and Kauai’s Kunana Goat Dairy. I’m about to bite into this aged gourmet goat cheese in cheese wax.

Seafood: caught and farmed, fresh, smoked and dried

Our Hawaii seafood picks: Farmers markets, bought fresh off the back of a truck; in grocery and specialty stores state-wide.

Beef, pork, poultry and gastropods (snails)

Note: If your Hawaii travel plans coincide, check out the second annual Hawaii Food and Wine festival. It takes place in Honolulu September 6 – 9, 2012

We’re giving away free alerts every week on Facebook. If you’re not already a Facebook fan, give it a try.

Lei Day Celebrations at Kauai Museum

Rob — Sun, 06 May 2012 01:00:48 +0000

Lei Day has been celebrated all week in the islands. Look for Hawaii travel deals next year and join us the first week of May.

Today we attended the 32nd annual celebration at Kauai Museum. While waiting to enter this popular Kauai festival, we made lei under the watchful eyes of experts in the craft. Inside the museum there were beautiful lei entered in competition.

Below is a gallery of my favorite lei. Click any image to start slideshow – and please let me know which ones you like best.

–Rob

PS: We’re giving away six free VIP Alerts subscriptions tomorrow. If you’re not already a Facebook fan, jump on in today.

A Volunteer Vacation with Hawaiian Monk Seals

Rob — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 18:02:28 +0000

When Ohio resident Julie Honnert witnessed visitors chasing a Hawaiian monk seal back into the water in 2003, she immediately wanted to help this endangered species. “There was no number to call or signs posted to stay away,” said Julie. Determined to do something, she began a two year course of study of marine mammals back home in Ohio and saved up for her first trip as a volunteer with Hawaiian Monk Seal Conservation Hui. Since then Julie has made 7 trips to Kauai and has donated 16 weeks of her time.

Julie is another example of Hawaii visitors who make a difference. We got to know Julie and her husband Steve on their latest trip. They stayed in our Beat of Hawaii guest suite while helping our Hawaiian Monk Seals.

“Life takes many turns and sometimes we are distracted or derailed from the thing we were meant to do. Working with monk seals is the culmination of a dream long denied, and the proof that it is never too late to go after a pursuit that fills your heart with satisfaction.”

Julie’s typical day started at 7am when she checked south shore beaches for Hawaiian monk seals.
Once a seal was spotted she put up Seal Protection Zones, identified it by tags, scars, size and sex, and called in the sighting to the coordinator. The decision was then made whether Julie should stay with the seal which depended on its location and the possibility of any disturbance from the public.

“One of the brightest aspects of this volunteer work is to educate people on the busy beaches about the seals. Most visitors have never seen a seal before, much less one on the brink of extinction. Seals typically sleep during the day and go out to feed at night, so around sunset our day will end with the seal waking up and flopping or rolling its way back into the ocean, then gradually disappearing among the waves. We retrieve the signs, roll up the ropes, and call it a day.”

Many volunteers put in very long hours during the seals’ molting season and pupping events. Julie personally averaged between 4-6 hours per day, sometimes more. The real heroes according to Julie are the on island volunteers who dedicate amazingly large portions of their lives to these animals.

Julie’s most memorable experience came her first full day of volunteering.
A young seal was found at the north shore with a hook in her mouth. Julie was immediately recruited to assist in the intervention that removed that hook. Julie’s role was to assist in subduing the seal while the hook was removed and the wound treated. Laying hands on such a critically endangered animal was a rare privilege for a new volunteer. Everything went according to plan, said Julie and the young seal was released quickly and safely.

Interested in Volunteering? Training involves learning seal morphology, ID techniques, beach training, and having good ‘people’ skills. For more information go to Kaua`i Seals or call 808-651-7668. Check the NOAA website to volunteer on other islands.

We’re giving away free alerts every week. VIP Alerts are advance deal notifications via text or email for just your city.

If you’re not already a Facebook fan, here’s a good reason to give it a try.

Hanapepe Art Night: Little Fish Coffee and Yamato’s Ice Cream Come to Town

Rob — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 18:38:41 +0000

The sleepy town of Hanapepe on the Westside of Kauai comes alive every Friday night with its festive art and dining scene. During the week it’s a convenient place to stop on the way to Salt Pond or Waimea Canyon. This little town is loaded with historical buildings – 43 in all – and was featured in the 1983 mini-series, The Thorn Birds.

Several new places have joined the scene in addition to several other quintessential favorites, Talk Story Books, The Right Slice (Friday only) and Mele’s Kusina.

Little Fish Coffee – This is the coolest place for espresso on Kauai and we’re not easy to please when it comes to coffee. You’ll see us there almost every Friday night. Camille makes an awesome espresso drink or Hario drip coffee. Her mom, Berny, serves up homemade goodies like banana bread, mac nut sticky buns and scones. You can also order smoothies, wraps, salads and bagels.

There are books to read and a cool magnetic word game on the wall to play. If there’s no place to sit inside you’ll find a great outdoor courtyard in back with additional seating and on Friday nights, live music. Before you leave step into the bathroom. It’s the most unique on island – that’s all I’ll say. Check out their Yelp reviews and Facebook page for more information.

Open Monday-Saturday from 6:30am to 2pm. Extended hours Friday until 9pm. Located at 3900 Hanapepe Road at the start of the shopping district.

Yamato’s Ice Cream – This newest truck vendor is parked Friday night in town. We’re talking smooth and creamy with clean, delicate flavors. It’s the best ice cream I’ve had in a very long time. We sampled the honey ginger and butter pecan last week. It’s worth going to Hanapepe Art Night just for this if you’re an ice cream aficionado. Only $3.00 buys you a generous bowl of this homemade delicacy. Look for the ice ceam truck parked near Little Fish Coffee on Friday nights.

Free VIP Alerts drawings every week, so sign up today.

Win a year’s worth of instant deal notifications for just your city. If you’re not already a Facebook fan, here’s a good reason to give it a try.

Owls in Hawaii

Rob — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 01:34:47 +0000

The revered Hawaiian short-eared owls are known as Pueo. Out of respect, and by tradition, we never point at them when seeing these beautiful raptors in flight.

Owls are all about legend and folklore and have been for centuries. They have a special place in Hawaiian mythology.

Hawaiian owls are on the endangered list. They are believed to have arrived in the Hawaiian Islands at least 1,000 years ago and their existence here is thought tied to the rat population. Pueo (the word both singular and plural) are active both during the day and at night, although I’ve spotted most of them at twilight, soaring over large open areas. On occasion, I’ve also seen them on a telephone poll at mid-day, looking down on traffic. Their population has been declining especially on Oahu – where they are dazed by bright lights.

Look for Pueo throughout in Hawaii – especially on Kauai where there are no mongoose to threaten them. They’re more common in less populated areas but also are seen in urban areas.

Have you seen Owls in Hawaii?

PS: Jeff expects to see more Hawaii travel deals coming up soon, now that most people have fixed their spring vacation plans.

More free VIP Alerts drawings this week. Please sign up in 30 seconds or less. Here’s what VIP alerts are all about: http://www.beatofhawaii.com/vip-alerts.

While it’s not a free trip to Hawaii, VIP Alerts will sure help you get here for less money.

Hawaii Chocolates | Edible Aloha From The Islands

Rob — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 22:58:51 +0000

Hawaii is the only state which produces cacao. It’s been grown in Hawaii, mostly on the Big Island, for over 150 years. Only recently, however, has it become commercially viable. While still small, it is rapidly expanding and could someday surpass coffee as Hawaii’s premier crop.

I can’t think of a sweeter addition to a Hawaii vacation than a chocolate tasting and tour. Unless it’s a Hawaii travel deal.

This week I was gifted a box of handmade Kauai Chocolates, which were delicious. That coming from a European chocolate snob.

Today also marks the second annual Hawaii Chocolate Festival, which I’m sorry to say I’m not attending. It’s taking place at Honolulu’s Dole Cannery. The festival serves to stimulate global interest in Hawai’i’s emerging chocolate industry.

Here are some places where you will find chocolate in Hawaii. I’m not talking the chocolates you typically find at Wal-Mart or Long’s, but rather unique hand-made varieties. This list isn’t comprehensive, so if you have others to add, please do so in the comments below:

Sweet Paradise Chocolatier (Maui)

Melanie Boudar is a classically trained candy maker with 30 years of experience. She was the Judges Choice winner of the Kona Chocolate Festival, 2007-09, and has received other awards.

Sweet Paradise has a retail location at Wailea, Maui and will be opening at the Maui Tropical Plantation, which will include the history of candy making process including cacao growing, tours and tastings,

Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory (Big Island)

Pam and Bob Cooper, originally from North Carolina, were the first to grow and process exclusively Hawaiian grown cacao beans. No other chocolate is used. They’ve been doing this for 15 years and sell dark and milk chocolate in bars and small and large plumeria-shaped pieces. Their Criollo Dark Chocolate is said to be unique in flavor and taste. They also offer roasted cacao nibs.

Purchase their chocolates at Honolulu Chocolate Company, Whole Foods and at the Bishop Museum store. They also offer tours of their farm near Kona on the Big Island.

Kauai Chocolate Company (Kauai)

These were the inspiration for today’s article, and although not a single origin Hawaii-based product, I’m still enjoying the box I received earlier this week. They are delectable small candies each luscious piece filled with an island flavor like guava and passion fruit.

Owned by Don and Marleen Greer, and employing students from the local high school, these two have been at it since 2003. Located in Eleele, don’t miss this when you’re on Kauai.

Also while on Kauai, you can also learn more about cacao growing and taste delicious chocolates. Steelgrass farm in Kapaa offers a chocolate farm tour, on their eight-acre tropical garden specializing in vanilla, bamboo, and chocolate.

Malie Kai Chocolates (Oahu) – My Top Pick

Oahu’s North Shore chocolate purveyor is Nathan Sato. Originally from California, Nathan has been busy growing cacao since 2004. His sustainably grown 20 acre orchard now produces 10 tons per year.

You’ll find Malie Kai Chocolates at Hawaii’s Foodland markets, Whole Foods and Native Books. They do not have their own retail location currently.

Madre Chocolates (Oahu)

David Elliott and Matt Bletter’s chocolates are bean-to-bar made to preserve health-giving antioxidants while still being delicious. They have original Hawaii chocolate as well as chocolate purchased from organic growers in Central America. They also teach classes.

I haven’t tried their chocolate but look forward to doing so.

Padovanni Chocolates (Oahu)

Australian brothers, Philippe and Pierre Padovanni, are globally acclaimed chefs. Their hand-made Hawaiian chocolates using only natural ingredients are sold at the Chocolate Factory at the Dole Cannery. Customers have included Bill Clinton, the Dalai Lama, the Emperor of Japan, and John Travolta. I look forward to adding myself to their distinguished list.

Congratulations to Christi Ross, today’s winner of free VIP Alerts for one year. Many more drawings upcoming so please sign up . Here’s what VIP alerts are all about: http://www.beatofhawaii.com/vip-alerts.

While it’s not a free trip to Hawaii, VIP Alerts will sure help you get here for less money.

What Do You Know About Hawaii Airports

Jeff — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:01:24 +0000

Did you know that Hawaii has 14 active civil aviation airports, 5 of which handle the bulk of the state’s inter-island and trans-Pacific traffic?

Which is the oldest of Hawaii’s airports, and why is Maui’s airport code OGG? Read on to find out more.

Hawaii’s first airport? That’s Honolulu International (HNL), which was originally called John Rodgers Airport. It opened in 1927 and was named in honor of the aviator and sailor. In 1925, Rodgers made the first trans-Pacific flight from California. When his plane ran out of fuel hundreds of miles from Hawaii, he crafted sails from the wings in order to complete the journey.

Maui’s Kahului Airport, was designated OGG in honor of aviation legend, and Kauai native, Bertram J. Hogg (which is pronounced Hoag).

Hilo Airport: Where did the code ITO come from? I’m not really sure. The obvious code for the Big Island airport would have been HIL, which was already taken in Ethiopia. It may have been named after an early manager at the airport for Hawaiian Air, whose name was of course, Ito.

Kona Airport (KOA) is built on recent lava flow and is the only major island airport that doesn’t use a jetway. When the airplane doors open you descend the stairs under a warm, Hawaii sky. KOA opened in 1970 although construction continued for another twenty years. Since then the population on the Westside of Big Island has increased 50 percent.

JHM. This airport code isn’t widely known, but represents Maui’s airport near Kapalua Resort. It replaced the prior Kaanapali Airport in 1987. The code is in honor of John H. Magoon, who was Hawaiian Airlines’ president when the company developed the airport.

LIH, Kauai’s airport in Lihue was not its first. That honor goes to Burns Field near Hanapepe’s Salt Pond Beach Park. Commercial flights by Hawaiian Airlines started there in 1929. A year later, runways at Burns Field were extended with use of prison labor which played a part in construction at other Hawaii airports as well.

Do you have any interesting facts you care to share about Hawaii’s rich history in civil aviation?

You can learn more about Hawaii’s airports on the State’s airport site.

Become A Hawaii Whale Count Volunteer Or Sponsor

Rob — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 22:09:40 +0000

The annual humpback whale count takes place January 28, February 25 and March 31 on the Big Island, Kauai and Oahu. Even if you don’t have time to come to Hawaii right now, or haven’t found your perfect Hawaii travel deal yet, you can still help. So read on.

Volunteers are needed to keep watch of whale behavior, complete a site map and spread awareness about humpback whales in Hawaii. If you’re in the islands during the whale count, this is a great opportunity to mix with locals and other visitors. You’ll likely make some new friends. Plan to see us there too and as this will be both fun and fascinating.

If you can’t be here during whale count you can still help with a donation to this worthwhile cause. Another way to show support is to purchase a 2012 whale count t-shirt or Hawaii music CD dedicated to ocean conservation.

Please sign up to be a volunteer on NOAA’s Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale site.

A New Way To Send Aloha Starts This Week

Rob — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 19:22:18 +0000

Postcards will take on a new tropical feeling this week when the Hawaii aloha shirt stamps are released by the US Postal Service. The shirts depict surfing, fish, shells, Bird of Paradise flowers and the Kilauea volcano. It’s a perfect way to honor the 75th anniversary of this iconic shirt.

If you’re a philatelist like I am, these new stamps take on even more feeling. I’ve been waiting to see the new stamps since they were first announced last year. They will be available starting Thursday and also online. I have a feeling that my friend Michael will be one of the first to buy. We wrote about him last year and our visit to Bailey’s Antiques and Aloha Shirts in Honolulu.

Ric Noyle is the Kaimuki, Oahu-based photographer who was commissioned for the stamp art. His photos can also be seen around the state including at the Halekulani Hotel, on Roberts tour buses and in books.

For other Hawaii stamp lovers, we aren’t done yet. Later this year, a Forever Stamp featuring the bonsai art of Hilo artist John D. Dawson will be introduced.

New Years Eve in Hawaii – We’re Taking Part

Rob — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 23:32:38 +0000

If you’re in Hawaii now, or plan to celebrate a future New Year’s Eve with us in the future, I have an update on events happening around the state.

There’s no chill in the air. Winter weather is lovely in the islands, with nights in the 60′s and daytime highs still touching the 80 degree mark. The Pacific Ocean water temperature is cooler, but still in the comfortable 70′s – it doesn’t reach its coldest until about March. In short, there’s no better place to be. Even our president chooses Hawaii for his winter vacation.

See traditional fireworks displays on all the islands. You can view them from land or sea. There are also cruises timed during the fireworks on Oahu and Maui plus parties galore.

Oahu

The Ko Olina Resort on Oahu’s windward side will likely be having Hawaii’s largest fireworks extravaganza. It’s where Disney’s new Aulani Resort is located and their show is said to include over $100,000 in pyrotechnics.

Waikiki will have traditional fireworks at midnight. Alternatively, you can enjoy what is reputed to be Hawaii’s largest New Year’s Eve block party at the Aloha Tower. It includes 6 stages and 20 DJ’s.

Maui

Between the Grand Wailea and Four Seasons Maui at Wailea, you can watch fireworks at midnight. The display takes place at a barge off-shore from the resort.

Big Island

Mauna Kea had a dusting of snow on Christmas. It’s warm at the beach, however, were you can gather for entertainment and fireworks at Kailua-Kona. Also check the resorts on the Kohala Coast.

Kauai

At Poipu Beach Park there’s the annual New Year’s Eve music fest and fireworks celebration. It starts at 5pm with music, food and activities. Fireworks begin at 9:15. We’re happy to be one of the sponsors of the event.

Do it yourself fireworks:

If you’d like to have your own private show, that is still doable for the most part here in Hawaii. Fireworks go on sale today and can only be set off legally from 9pm through 1am on New Year’s Eve. On Oahu a fireworks ban means that permits are required for fire crackers among other things.

If you know of any firework celebrations we missed, or have updates, please be sure to comment.