Coffee is serious business to us. We’re home roasters with access to hundreds of wild coffee trees, and enjoy visiting plantations while island hopping. Recently, the manager of Molokai’s Coffees of Hawaii, Maria Holmes, invited us for a tour and coffee tasting. How could we refuse? Before we go any further let me just say that their Muleskinner brand was […]
One of the most beautiful places in Hawaii is also the site of much hardship and enforced imprisonment. Those with Hansen’s Disease were called “lepers” and sent to live here, on Molokai’s Kalaupapa Peninsula, against their will. They represented all ages, ethnicity and economic status. For $50 I was taken on a tour of the settlement in an old […]
The handwriting was on the wall when we toured the Hawaii Maritime Center in April. Faced with a bad economy and low visitor traffic, the museum was closing its doors for the last time at the beginning of May. On our visit there was a somber mood with the final day looming. We asked at the Information Desk if […]
When you’re visiting Hawaii, the person cleaning your room, parking your car, and helping at the front desk may be Filipino. To make a nice impression, knowing a few words of Tagalog, the official language of the Philippines, is another way to say Aloha. Over 20 percent of Hawaii’s population is Filipino. They came to Hawaii in the early […]
The four Matson Navigation ships carrying fresh cut Christmas trees are arriving. The first arrived on November 15, and the final ship will arrive on December 6. While the total number of trees shipped is unknown, Matson says that they transport more than 100,000 Oregon and Washington grown trees each year. The trees typically go on sale in Hawaii […]
View Larger Map Obama is all the rage. Many people plan to capitalize on the new president’s long-tailed roots. There have been articles already written about tours in Africa and Chicago. Now comes a new entry to the mix, the Obama Tour Hawaii. Since the places where Obama lived and went to school in Hawaii are on private property, […]
I was very pleased to see recent news that Hawaii’s own Love’s Bakery has returned to Hawaii ownership. Managers of the 157 year old company are buying the bakery from its Japanese owners, who have owned it since they themselves purchased it from ITT Continental Baking nearly 30 years ago. The new owners plans are to invest in and […]
Whole Foods Markets will soon be joining Hawaii’s established health food stores. If you’re looking for healthy grinds during your stay in Hawaii, here are some of our favorites to consider: On Oahu and Maui, try Down to Earth, which has nice moderate sized stores and a good selection. Big Island scores with Kona Natural Foods in Kailua-Kona (two […]
Staying with friends in the islands not only saves money but gives you an opportunity to experience local life. We like hosting people in our home and have come up with some ideas on how to make this a good experience for both host and guest. Arrival Tips: 1. Shoes off at door. Here in Hawaii, it is customary […]
We’ve seen some very unusual English language signs throughout Asia. This one, however, we found just down the street, at Dani’s Restaurant in Lihue: If you find yourself on Rice Street, we like Dani’s for their perennially delicious banana pancakes, but frankly, not much else. They only serve them until 11am.
If you’re looking for that completely unique gift to bring home with you from your Hawaii vacation, look no further. Hamakua mushrooms are a gourmet treat from Hawaii and some of the best mushrooms I’ve tasted. They have both a wonderful flavor and texture. You can legally import them to the mainland, inasmuch as they are not a plant […]
Hawaii’s banana industry may be well-positioned for a serious comeback. They are certainly growing well in our backyard. This photo shows our latest crop growing amidst Blue Ginger. Prices of Hawaii bananas have never been competitive with Central America in the past due to the high cost of land and labor. The scale is starting to tip in favor […]
