After a lovely morning at the Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm I headed to the farm at Ocean Vodka to learn how this popular organic vodka is made. The farm offers a tour and tasting of their vodka for $10...
Maui – Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm
One of the most unique experiences I’ve had in Maui was visiting Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm. I’d never been to a lavender field or farm in my life, being a Francophile, I thought they only existed n the South...
Maui – Napili Kai Beach Resort
After five truly enlightening days on the Big Island, I departed for my next adventures in Maui. My home-base for the next few days was the Napili Kai Beach Resort, a place that was completely unknown to me prior...
Big Island Round-up
I got the greatest compliment this past Monday. A longtime reader who I recently met in person in March in Seattle (she was on the AFAR Experiences trip and she recognized me, talk about an exciting experience!) sent me...
Hilo Hawaiian Hotel
My base-camp while staying on the Hilo side of the Big Island was the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel. Hilo is the working side of the island, driven by small businesses, a lot of them started by vets after World War...
Hawaii – Hilo Grown Tour
Last week I shared a little of background about Hawaii’s agritourism and the forces behind it. I had the pleasure of learning a lot about the topic from Lani Weigert when I visited Hamakua Mushrooms. For my last day...
Hawaii – AgriTourism
“90% imported. 90% imported.” As I drove around visiting Greenwell Farms, Hamakua Mushrooms, Volcano Winery; as I had conversations with folks at hotels and looked a restaurant menus, I still found it crazy that 90% of produce to Hawaii...
Hawaii – Volcano Winery
Living in the San Francisco Bay Area with famous wine neighbors like Napa and Sonoma it is easy to take wineries for granted. And although there are wineries in every state now (really, I looked it up) that doesn’t...
Hawaii: Hamakua Mushrooms
Ever had a super-fresh mushroom? Good, right? A luxury item? Maybe not. But if you live in the Hawaiian islands, a fresh mushroom used to be unthinkable. Enter Bob Stanga. Gentlemen farmer (with an interior designer wife) who just...
Hawaii for Foodies: Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort
After a fun day checking out Greenwell Coffee Farm and devouring some excellent poke from Da Poke Shack, I spent the evening enjoying another perfect Hawaiian sunset from my terrace at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa. As...
Da Poke Shack
On the advice of the folks at Greenwell Farm, I headed closer to the beach and toward the very long line at Da Poke Shack in order to get a taste of the island’s best poke. Since you can...
Hawaii: Greenwell Farms
After a reflective evening and excellent first night’s sleep at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, I woke up ready to hit the road. I spent the morning at the South Kona Green Market, a small farmer’s market...