Ono Hawaiian Grinds

Aloha Folks,


People who live in Hawaii know without a doubt, that ono (delicious) food in Hawaii is easy to come by. One of my reasons for this post today is to help spread the word to visitors that eating your way across Hawaii is a perfectly acceptable pastime.


I am 1,000 percent behind our local farmers and coffee growers. I buy local as much as possible, and grow a fair amount of the fruit that I serve for breakfast. I hope to have fresh duck and chicken eggs available for guests in another few months as well. My little bed and breakfast farm is growing.

Last weekend was the 3rd Annual Maui Agriculture Festival at the lovely 60 acre Tropical Plantation in Waikapu at the base of the lush West Maui Mountains.

I spent a few hours sampling goodies in the booths, buying flowers, and watching the beautiful hula dancers. The Taiko drummers were getting ready to perform as I was leaving. I am posting a shot of them in preparation. It really was a pleasant way to spend the afternoon.


I am also posting a picture of Jessie from "Coffees of Hawaii", on Molokai. Jessie was recently a guest at Hale Ho'okipa Inn and she shared samples of all the delicious coffee at breakfast. I prefer tea to coffee, so I cannot speak from experience, but my guests all raved about their morning coffee.

You can order on line at Coffees of Hawaii. If you can't make it to Hawaii, some of our best products can make it to you. Treat yourself and check out a few to sample. Other choices would be Maui Grown Coffee and my webmaster's favorite organic Kona coffee.


Kumu Farms from Molokai also had a booth at the Ag Fest. I buy papayas from these folks when I don't have any ripe ones. They yeild 20,000 pounds of papaya each week. The Kumu Farms has been in operation for almost 30 years and they also grow many of the fresh herbs that are in the markets.


O'o Farm in upcountry Maui offers an Organic Lunch Tour. They grow fine organic produce and supply two top restaurants on Maui, Pacific'O and I'O. Visit their web site to book a lunch tour for part of your upcountry adventure.

See what I mean, and this is only a small portion of all the ono grinds available on Maui. Check out the great magazine called Edible Hawaiian Islands. I really love this publication. The photos are always awesome, and there are some ono recipes as well. How about Coconut Ginger Chicken Soup? I may try that out tonight...I have to pick lemon grass from the garden for this yummy soup. If you'd like to subscribe and stay in the know about good food in the islands, you'll love having this hardcopy magazine http://www.ediblecommunities.com/hawaiianislands/subscribe/subscribe.htm


We are becoming known for our great foods on Maui....the world is finding out what we have always known. I want to do my part in spreading the word.. OK, now I am getting hungry, so I will say Aloha, a hui hou.


Come, work up an appetite on Maui, you'll be soooo happy that you did.

Cherie

North Shore Maui

Aloha...

Ah, just returning home from a great North Shore beach morning.

The crazy tradewinds have finally calmed down...it was howling across the state for several days, with Maui topping off at 71 mile per hour gusts out in Kaupo.

Annie and I walked Baldwin beach, she chased shredded coconut pieces and I hunted for shells. Because of the wild winds, we have not been to the beach for awhile, and we were both missing it. I had my camera in the beach bag and caught a few nice shots on this sunny spring day.

Someone has built a "fort" on the beach with washed up coral pieces. I love the indoor/ outdoor space it creates. It has a bit of a romantic "cast away" sort of look, but is kind of breaking down at this point. The beach is always changing, the tide washes in and out, and the wind blows, covering and uncovering .

I walked quite a ways down the beach enjoying the day. The tide pools were perfect for playing in and enjoying, crystal clear in some areas, and milky blue in other spots.

Some "stoked" kite boarders were out dancing across the waves and flying through the air. It looked like conditions were perfect. Kite boarding is really a spectacular sport to watch. The folks that are accomplished spend a lot of time in the air doing tricks and flips. My stomach lurches watching them from shore.

Kite boarding has gained in popularity in the last few years. I know there is a major learning curve involved in this sport, and it is not my thing, but pretty exciting to watch. I do have a good friend who kite boards on Maui, and also has her own kite school in South America. If you are looking for some "south of the border" adventure and you sail or board, drop me an e-mail and I will get you in touch with Laura.

OK, I've had my fun for today, now back to the business of living and the Hale Ho'okipa Inn.

Aloha for now,

Cherie