NEWS:

Hanalei Farmers Market

Scott Lutton of Akamai Juice Company serves fresh orange juice at the Hanalei Farmers Market. Photo by Daniel Lane

Aloha Kauai Tasters. I got a very sad call from a distressed vendor last Saturday. Through sobs, she said the Hanalei Farmers Market, run by the nonprofit Hale Halawai ‘O Hanalei, had been shutdown. All 56 vendors were told after the market closed for the day. It seems the market didn’t have proper parking permits.

Many livelihoods have been devastated by this closure, and few have options to replace the income made from that market. I am told that the market manager is working on obtaining the proper permits, and the market will eventually reopen.

Sampling Sal's Salsa at the Hanalei Farmers Market. Daniel Lane Photo.

No one knows what will happen, but it is a tragic loss for the community and visitors of Kauai. The vendors have banded together and created a Save the Hanalei Farmers Market – Kauai Facebook page, you can find stories from vendors here, and community support. You can also sign the Save the Hanalei Farmers Market petition.

Ryan and Sarah Wooton of Kauai Kunana Dairy at the Hanalei Farmers Market. Daniel Lane photo.

In the last 72 hours over 1,500 people have signed the petition. After I signed, I received this email:

“Aloha,
Thank you for your e-mail. It is my understanding that the community raised concerns with Hale Halawai ‘O Hanalei regarding the operation of the Hanalei Farmers Market. It is also my understanding that Hale Halawai ‘O Hanalei made the decision to close the market while it resolves these concerns. While some of the issues may involve permits issued by the Planning Commission, the County of Kaua‘i was not involved in the decision to close the market.”

Mahalo,
Council Chair Jay Furfaro

The new Namahana Farmers Market in Kilauea, next to the mini golf course, has accepted many of the displaced vendors. Beginning tomorrow, and running throughout June, the two markets will become one.

POST SCRIPT: For this Saturday only, the Hanalei Farmers Market will take place at the Namahana Market, located at Kauai Mini Golf, 5-2723 Kuhio Hwy, from 9 to 1 p.m. Beginning next Saturday, June 16, operations will resume from 9:30 a.m. to noon, at the site of the Hanalei Community Center, located near the Wai’oli Hu’ia Chuch (the beautiful green church).

The Right Slice

Sandy at the Taste of Hawaii with Macadamia Menehune Bites. Marta Lane photo

At last Saturday’s Taste of Hawaii, Kauai’s favorite pie lady Sandy Poehnelt revealed her new summer menu addition. Starting in late June, early July, fresh-baked biscuits by the half-dozen will be available on the weekends. Homemade gravy with fresh herbs will also be available. She’s also working on providing locally made jam and honey at her shop. Sandy’s pie crusts are made with real butter, and hand-rolled. I’m sure these biscuits will be buttery, flakey and irresistible, just like her pies!

Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa

Hyatt Corporate has launched a new food and beverage philosophy. The commitment seeks to promote healthy people, communities and planet, as well as healthy changes at the resort. The new menu will roll out in July and include nitrate-free bacon, cage-free eggs and more local ingredients.

Plantation Gardens

Hibiscus Cooler. Photo by Plantation Gardens

Summer is here and Plantation Gardens in Poipu has some new cocktails. The Hibiscus Cooler is made with Hibiscus Fris vodka, St-Germain Liqueur, hand-squeezed lime juice, and is shaken, not stirred.

Pacific Dragon. Photo by Plantation Gardens

Dragon Fruit Skyy vodka is the main player in the Pacific Dragon which also has tamarind and strawberry. A sweet Hawaiian chili-sugar coats the rim. This drink is also shaken and served up.

El Cafe. Photo by Plantation Gardens

It’s so sweet and creamy, they had to put El Cafe on the dessert menu. It’s a blend of Patron Cafe Liqueur, coffee and whipped vanilla cream dusted with cinnamon.

EVENTS:

Friday, June 15

Kauai Culinary Tours

8 a.m. to 4 p.m., $100

Tasting Kauai: A Culinary Romp Through Paradise

Delve deep into local flavors with a day long culinary tour designed to showcase the best of Kauai grown ingredients. Visit a 26-acre exotic fruit farm, and pluck fruit right off the tree. Enjoy a cooking demonstration and four-course tasting menu prepared for you by the executive chef of the Kauai Marriott Resort. Learn how to make handcrafted cocktails, and sip paradise in a glass with beverages made from Koloa Rum. Click on our Culinary Tours page and read all the delicious details.

UPCOMING:

Sunday, June 17 – Father’s Day

Grown

Steak House Dinner, 5 to 9 p.m., Eastside Restaurant

Collin Darrell pours wine at Grow Culture's inaugural dinner at One Song Farm. Daniel Lane photo

Grow Culture’s Collin Darrell has put together a family friendly pop-up dinner with fathers in mind. “I wanted to do the stereotypical manly meal while exploring how to make that a sustainable venture,” says the father of twin boys. “Utilization of whole animals, locally sourcing the vast majority of what is served, paired with artisan beverages – all while providing a quality sized portion at an affordable price.”

Of course we won’t know the menu until we get there, because that’s how Collin rolls. He buys what’s fresh, from local farmers right before he needs it. That means he buys what’s available, and perfectly ripe in the moment.

Sous Vide A‘akukui Strip Loin with chard stem marmalade, ali’i mushrooms and decadent beef lardo. Daniel Lane Photo

Quinten Frye from Salt Tasting Room on Oahu, the same chef who prepared Collin’s inaugural dinner at One Song Farm, will be cooking. Quinten makes his own cured meats, including prosciutto, and he will bring some for the dinner. The meal will include farmers market sides, and Kauai raised steakhouse-style cuts featuring Kaneshiro pork and lamb as well as Aakukui Ranch wet-aged prime rib. Grammy Award winner Aldrine Guerrero will play his ukulele.

“We will offer a full a la carte menu with items ranging in price from $9 to $29 as well as a locally sourced children’s menu to make this a family friendly experience,” he says. “A full bar with eclectic wines, artisan beers and crafted cocktails will be available.”

To make your reservation, visit Grow Culture’s website, or call Collin at 808-722-6316.

June 27 – 30

Red Clay Jazz Festival

National and local jazz and blues artists play at the 5th Annual Red Clay Jazz Festival, in an ocean-view outdoor setting at Kauai Lagoons, featuring Miss E.C. Scott and the Venissa Santi Sextet. The four-day event offers local evening jam sessions on Wednesday and Thursday, an invitational “Meet the Artists” party at Common Ground in Kilauea on Friday and the main concert late afternoon and evening on Saturday. Taste locally grown foods and wine. Enjoy a full line up of top blues and jazz artists. Santi or Scott’s latest CD is offered when two tickets are purchased by June 23.