sustainable sugar cane

most people don't give much thought to the humble paper plate holding their picnic/potluck feast but remember this biodegradable dinnerware the next time you drive past yet another subdivision. the cool thing is that these plates and cups are made from sugar cane fiber so not only are a few more trees saved from the chopping block, but it also prevents the bagasse, which is a byproduct of the sugar refining process, from being burned and generating more air pollution.

the irony for the islands, of course, being that all the sugar cane land that used to dot the landscape  and which has been systematically cleared away for development seems to have found a renewed life in the 21st century.

yummy honey

 

one of the first things that caught my eye when i first spotted a jar of volcano island honey was the label. the artwork was donated by dietrich varez, the noted big island linoblock artist (and one of my favorites), who must be a fan of the lovely organic white honey. in addition to the original honey, you can also savor honey with a ginger, lilikoi or lehua twist.

the artisanal honey company has been sharing their nectar for 25 years and it has been said to be "some of the best honey in the entire world". the secret may be that the honey is harvested from a kiawe forest on the big island where some sort of alchemy occurs when the unique topography and nature meet up with the honeybees.

volcano island honey can be found at specialty shops around the islands. if you're ordering online remember that there is minimum order of $40 to avoid a shipping surcharge or just stop by your nearest whole foods which also stocks the honey.

island treats for halloween

yes, this is probably a bit more than you want to pass out to the trick-or-treaters in your neighborhood unless you live in kahala (although think of how popular your house would be), but big island candies has a few yummy halloween surprises to give to those extra special ghosts and goblins in your life.

halloween treats are filled with everything from those onolicious chocolate dipped shortbread cookies that big island candies is known for to macadamia nut brownies. and don't forget to order a grab bag to keep you from raiding the candy bowl.

food lover's guide to honolulu

surprise, surprise . . . people from hawaii love to eat. you only need to click on the hawaii blog links over on the left sidebar to confirm that islanders *love* food (even in the ether that is cyberspace). if you ever get stumped by all the choices in town at kaukau time, pick up a copy of food lover's guide to honolulu by island food writer (and one time head foodie at the advertiser) joan namkoong.

this is the ultimate local resource for honolulu-bound foodies detailing everything from fancy eats to hole-in-the-walls. there's even a shopping guide so you always know where to go when it's time to procure those hard to find ingredients before the big family potluck.

hawaiian vanilla company

it's the secret ingredient at some of the most notable restaurants in the islands so, if you love to bake, you may want to stock up on premium vanilla beans & extract from the big island's hawaiian vanilla company which has the distinction of being the one and only vanilla farm in the states.

even if you're not into cooking, hawaiian vanilla has partnered up with other local companies so your tastebuds will be the happy recipient of estate grown 100% hawaiian vanilla coffee, roselani ice cream, and other goodies.

you can even take a culinary tour and discover all things vanilla at an upcountry tea, luncheon or tasting (reservations required) at hawaiian vanilla's vineyard on the hamakua coast.