i finally had a chance to page through a review copy of ali'i kula lavender's the maui book of lavender (one part memoir, one part growing guide & one part cookbook with a handful of herbal tips thrown in for good measure) and found it to be a quick read for anyone who fancies herself an amateur herbalist. friends who have visited the upcountry gardens rave about the
experience so it was fun to take a peek behind-the-scenes and discover the history of lavender in the islands while filing away a few kitchen tricks for my next cooking adventure.
one surprising revelation was that lavender was grown in hawaii more than a century before akl owner (and noted horticulturist) ali'i chang discovered the perennial while experimenting with drought-tolerant plants to grow on his maui farm. that was news to me and makes the current renaissance of lavender in the islands more than just a happy accident.
alas, lavender seasoning is missing from my pantry but culinary fans will enjoy sampling recipes which put a provençal twist on island favorites while those open to otc alternatives will welcome tips on how to incorporate lavender into everyday living (a few drops of lavender essential oil equals sweet dreams for me).
now it's time for the book and the lavender delights that arrived with it to find a new home which means two readers have a chance to win!
- email your name & current hometown to: aloha [at] hapahale [dot] com by thu, feb 5th
- please put akl giveaway in the subject
- fyi - note if you prefer the book or the surprise
- one entry per person/household
click back on friday to find out if lucky lavender was on your side.
p.s. email subscribers - simply hit reply and follow the instructions above for a chance to win.
{update: winner list posted}
Feb 4 
