Kauai Sugarloaf White Pineapple. Daniel Lane photo

Kauai Sugarloaf White Pineapple

Hole in the Mountain Farm has launched their website, www.kauaisugarloaf.com so you can ship a sweet taste of Kauai home. Owner Paul Huber, and his little dog assistant Panda, have planted 500 Kauai Sugarloaf White Pineapple in the last couple of weeks. They are well on their way to having Sugarloaf year round, and debunking the myth that Sugarloaf is only a summer crop.
“We have a large crop of beautiful field ripened and hand selected Kauai Sugarloaf White Pineapple ready for harvest that will be available for sale at Kukuiua Market in Poipu,” says Paul’s wife Jude. “I will be attending both the Wednesday Kukuiula Market and the Saturday Kauai Community College Market regularly and will continue to have Kauai Sugarloaf available for many months to come.
If you are visiting Kauai, Jude has been working closely with the Department of Agriculture. She always brings a few specially selected Kauai Sugarloaf Pineapple, to the market, which have been prepared for shipment/hand carry. The airport agricultural inspection will allow you to carry these Kauai Sugarloaf out of the state to anywhere in the United States, Canada, and Japan.

Lopaka Baptista supports Bill 2491. Marta Lane photo

GMO Pesticide Bill 2491

On June 26, about 1,000 residents attended the introduction of Bill 2491 to the Kauai County Council. The Garden Island has done an excellent job of covering the issue in their Council to hear GMO bill today,  GMO bill draws split crowd, and GMO bill clears first reading articles. I would love to hear what Tasting Kauai readers have to say about this topic. Please comment below!
On the same day, Gov. Neil Abercrombie signed seven bills related to agriculture.
“Part of Hawaii’s history and way of life, our agriculture industry keeps money in the local economy and supports thriving rural communities,” Gov. Abercrombie said. “These bills are important to combat harmful pests and invasive species, promote urban gardening, and expand the agriculture industry through programs that support farmers while educating and encouraging youth in pursuing agricultural careers.”
HB353 (Relating to Agriculture) appropriates $550,000 over the fiscal biennium to combat the coffee berry borer, a small beetle harmful to coffee crops worldwide that has infested coffee crops in the Kona and South Kona regions.
HB1263 (Relating to Irrigation) appropriates $75,000 for the East Kauai Irrigation System and $45,000 for the Peekauai Ditch Irrigation System (also known as the Menehune Ditch).
SB593 (Relating to Agriculture) expands livestock feed subsidies to include milking goats, goats raised for meat, sheep, lambs, fish, and crustaceans; and appropriates $1.5 million to the state Department of Agriculture for livestock feed subsidies and the Livestock Revitalization Program.
SB993 (Relating to Agricultural Loans) expands the state’s Agricultural Loan Program by adding farm innovation loan programs and expanding the definition of a new farmer.
HB560 (Relating to Affordable Housing Urban Gardening) authorizes the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) and the Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA) to develop programs that provide incentives for the development of housing projects that incorporate urban gardening programs.
SB586 (Relating to Agricultural Building Permits) provides certain building code and permit exemptions for nonresidential buildings and structures, including indigenous Hawaiian hale, on commercial farms and ranches located outside the urban district.
SB757 (Relating to Agriculture) appropriates $75,000 to the state Department of Education for the Future Farmers of America to educate and support youth in agricultural careers.
Again, I’m wondering what you guys think. Given the GMO atmosphere, I am curious what “expanding the definition of a new farmer” means.
EVENTS:

Executive chef Guy Higa of the Kauai Marriott Resort at the 2012 Red Clay Jazz Festival. Daniel Lane photo

Red Clay Jazz Festival

Tonight, a fundraiser for future music education and concerts, the Red Clay Jazz Festival organizers are hosting a “Meet the Artists” party featuring jazz and blues artists such as Lavay Smith and her Red Hot Skillet Lickers, members of the Maui Jazz Quartet, including percussionist, Emil Richards and members of Kauai’s Pro Am-Band. An assortment of foods, prepared by local chefs, is included along with a no-host bar. Tickets cost $50.
Lavay Smith and the Red Hot Skillet Slickers will be the headline performers on June 29 at Kauai Lagoons. Smith and her seven-piece band (playing four horns, piano, bass and drums) are recognized for classic blues and jazz in the style of the 1940s and 1950s. Based in San Francisco, the group tours internationally and has won a number of awards and acclamations by the press. Also featured will be the Maui Jazz Quartet with world-renowned percussionist, Emil Richards, and the Pro-Am Band from Kauai, a 12-piece jazz ensemble. The festival is held in an outdoor setting overlooking the ocean at Kauai Lagoons, with tent seating, lawn seating and several specialty restaurants providing food and beverage booths. Koloa Rum will be a sponsor at the Red Clay Jazz Festival again this year and KR Specialty Cocktails will be available to purchase at the concert, with the majority of the cost of our drink proceeds going directly to the Kauai Concert Association.
For more information and tickets, visit the Red Clay Jazz Festival website or read the article I wrote, “A Smokin’ Red Clay Jazz Festival” in MidWeek Kauai.
Saturday, June 29

Kauai Nursery & Landscaping

9:05 to 10:05 a.m., free, Nursery Conference Room
Learn all how to select palm trees for residential landscaping as well as how to care for them. Call 808-245-7747 for more information.

Kilauea Art Night

5 to 8 p.m., Stone building in Kilauea Town
Look for original art, hand-made apparel, jewelry, photography, custom slippers and painted glass bottles from more than 20 artists. Enjoy ice cream and live music. Get your face painted, or a henna tattoo and stop by the Kilauea Fish Market for dinner. For more information, read Constant creation: Kilauea Art Night debuts Saturday
Sunday, June 30

Summer Jam Kick Off Party

Mahiko Lounge, $10
Mahiko Lounge kicks off their “Summer Jam Kick Off Party”, where musicians will perform in the Gaylord’s courtyard and will cocktail and pupu service is available from the lounge. Summer Jam Series highlights local musicians and bands every Sunday afternoon.
Thursday, July 4

Kauai Hospice 24th Annual Concert in the Sky

Vidinha Stadium, 4 to 9:30 p.m., $10 adults, $5 kids 6 to 12
Organizers expect this will again be the largest one day event on Kauai and expect over 6,000 people to attend. Of the ticketed attendees, 40-percent will be visitors. The event promises a local style Independence Day celebration with Hawaiian entertainment by local musicians and halau dancers. It will provide opportunities for interaction between residents and visitors with a unique experience as this is the largest aerial fireworks event on Kauai on the 4th of July. Visitors will get to celebrate our national holiday with the local cultural experiences of music and dance. For more information, visit the Kauai Hospice website.

Kekaha Fourth of July Celebration

4 to 11 p.m., free
Celebrate the Fourth of July on Kauai’s sunny Westside in the beautiful town of Kekaha. Bring your family and friends and enjoy cultural demonstrations, live music, exhibits, locally made crafts, a plantation museum, fun game booths and rides.
Organizers say many visitors get a feeling of Hawaii nostalgia and the closeness of ohana can be felt in the people on the westside. There will also be a Fun-Run, contests, a talent show, food booths and plenty of cold water and soda.
End the day with fireworks and live music that will honor Hawaii’s military. The event is alcohol and drug free. Bring a mat or chair. For more information, call 808-634-5248.
Friday, July 5 through Sunday, July 7

Kauai Kau Wela Summer Festival

This event begins on July 5 Friday at 5 p.m. at Kukui Grove Shopping Mall. Join the winning Tahitian dance group Tamatea Nui o Kauai center stage. There will be a keiki royal court by Punana Leo, Ilima Hula Studio, Polynesian crafts and displays. This year’s festival features Solo Hula and Tahitian dance competition and Tahitian drummers.
Hula and Tahitian competitions will be held at Kukui Grove Shopping Mall Center stage on July 6 from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The event concludes on July 7, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Kamokila Hawaiian Village. There will be an ukulele competition, entertainment, Polynesian crafts, Hawaiian food, ancient chants, hula, tahitian dancing, activities, games and canoe rides. For more information, call 808 822 5929.
Saturday, July 6

Old Town Kapaa Art Walk

Of course, the first Saturday of every month is the Old Town Kapaa Art Walk. Hundreds of people come and enjoy local food and art. On July 6, Art Cafe Hemingway will present ARTPOETRY by resident poet Dorianne Allister Winkler.
 

Dave Power of the Feral Pig passes out the Corn ‘n Oil made with Koloa Rum. Daniel Lane photo

A Culinary Romp Through Paradise

Various locations in Kapaa, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., $130
Tasting Kauai’s Culinary Tour offers an intimate glimpse into the Garden Island’s culinary scene. We start with a farm tour and learn about exotic fruit grown on Kauai. At the Kauai Marriott Resort, we join executive chef Guy Higa for an outdoor cooking demonstration and gourmet, four-course lunch made with Kauai grown ingredients. Our last stop is at The Feral Pig where the Koloa Rum Co. will give a presentation about the award-winning rum. Afterwards, we’ll have two cocktails at The Feral Pig featuring Koloa Rum and seasonal produce. You can read what LandingStanding said about this tour, or visit our Kauai Culinary Tours page. We have a Facebook photo album that shows how much fun the tour is, and our 5-Star TripAdvisor reviews. Chef Higa donates proceeds from his portion of the tour to the Salvation Army Soup Kitchen. For a complete list of 2013 dates, check out our Kauai Culinary Tours Calendar. Call 808-635-0257 to make a reservation.
Sunday, July 14

8th Annual CKTV Golf Tournament Fundraiser

Wailua Golf Course, 7 am.m to 1 p.m., $100
A day of fun, food and good times on the beautiful Wailua Golf Course. Proceeds from the tournament enable the Chiefess Kamakahelei Media Production students to showcase their talent and knowledge in national competitions. For more information, call 808-241-3200.
Monday, July 15

Healing Horses, Kauai Summer Gala at the Hukilau Lanai

6 to 9:30 p.m., $50 adults, $25 kids 4 to 14
This event benefits Healing Horses and the fundraiser includes pupu, dinner, dessert, no host bar and live music.

At the Halulu Fishpond on A Taste of Old Kauai. Marta Lane photo

A Taste of Old Kauai

Waipa, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., $115
Tasting Kauai’s north shore tour is part agritourism and part ecotourism. We visit Waipa, one of 67 watersheds homesteaded by the first Polynesians, which remains undeveloped. This one-of-a-kind experience was designed by Tasting Kauai and the Waipa Foundation especially for those who wish to learn about traditional agriculture systems, endangered wildlife, and enjoy real Hawaiian food while saturated in Kauai’s rugged beauty.
Waipa is nestled in the Hanalei Valley which is a National Wildlife Refuge and endangered birds flourish here. We explore a vast loi (taro garden) fed by auwai, or irrigation system, that supplies water from mountain streams.
At the “Poi Garage” we learn about Hawaii’s staff of life: taro, or kalo as it’s called here, and guests sample cooked taro corms, poi and kulolo, a traditional dessert made with coconut.
We tour the farm and learn how Waipa teaches kids about the circle of life through farm animals and gardens. Continuing through the property, we’ll learn the difference between native, canoe and introduced plants, while we walk to the Halulu Fishpond.
Lunch, prepared by Waipa’s chef, changes seasonally and is made with vegetables grown in on site gardens, locally sourced meat or fish, and mamaki tea with lemongrass and mint. Guests eat ohana (family) style while enjoying the beauty and breezes of Hanalei Bay. Proceeds from this tour go to restore native plants and to preserve and perpetuate Hawaiian culture through education. For more information, visit A Taste of Old Kauai, or visit check out our Facebook photo album. To make reservations, call 808-635-0257.

Polynesian Revue & Fire Dancing. Photo courtesy of Koloa Plantation Days

Koloa Plantation Days

This signature event invites visitors, cowboys and locals down to an amazing lineup of family fun, great food, beer garden and an exciting bull riding competition.
Known as the toughest sport on dirt, the bull-riding showdown will be the first of this magnitude on the island of Kauai. Bull riders and hand-picked bulls are coming from around the state of Hawaii to compete for the $2,000 prize purse provided by Kalapaki Joe’s. Get ready for an awesome display of man verses animal as each rider tries to stay on the bull for the eternal 8 seconds.
For more information, visit the Koloa Plantation Days website.
Friday, July 10 to Saturday, July 20

Lihue Hongwanji Bon Dance Festival

Lihue Hongwanji, 5 to 10 p.m., free
Join in a celebration of Japanese dance, fun, games, crafts and food. Food for purchase include Japanese food, local specialties such as andagi (fried doughnuts, flying saucers and shave ice. There will be games for children and locally made crafts for sale.
Dinner plates start 5 p.m., and food booth open at 6 p.m. Country Store opens at 6 p.m. and the Bon Dance is from 7:30 to 10 p.m.
For more information call 808-245-6262 or visit www.lihuehongwanjimission.com.
Saturday, July 20

Princeville BBQ and Movie in the Park

5 to 9:30 p.m., Prince Albert Park, free
Bring your blankets and beach chairs and join the north shore community for a BBQ and free family Movie. BBQ plates cost $5, and are sold at 5 p.m. The movie begins at dusk. Sponsored by the Princeville Events Committee.
Saturday, July 21

Haku Workshop

10 a.m. to 2 p.m., $35, National Tropical Botanical Gardens
Join Elvrine Chow for a haku making class in the meadow near the at the National Tropical Botanical Gardens’ gift shop. Call 808-742-2623 to enroll.
ONGOING:

Sunshine Farmers Market in Kapaa. Daniel Lane photo

Farmers Market Class

Wednesdays, 3 to 4 p.m., $30
Meet local farmers, learn how to select perfect produce as well as when it’s in season and how to cook with it during Tasting Kauai’s one-hour farmers market class. I saw friends at the farmers market who were visiting from Colorado. As we hugged and said hello, I saw a table full of near-rotten mangos. It was still snowing in Denver and my friends were excited about the big, beautiful tomatoes they just bought. Their faces fell when I told them they were not grown on Kauai. I felt bad for them, and was inspired to offer this class.
Farmers markets are an affordable way to immerse yourself in local culture and the best place to buy produce that’s so fresh, it was harvested that morning. But buying at the farmers market doesn’t always insure that it was grown on Kauai. It happens all over the world. In Hawaii, customers want mangos year-round. In Colorado, they want tomatoes in May. To make that sale, vendors buy imported mangoes or tomatoes and sell them as their own. Customers unfamiliar with the seasons can insure their dollars are spent on local products by learning how to identify locally grown produce.
There’s a whole world of delicious produce that many people never try. Let’s face it, some of it looks like it came from another planet. Once unfamiliar produce is demystified and cooking tips are shared, it may become a regular at dinner table. Many factors can make exotic produce expensive and the last thing you want to do is buy a pineapple that isn’t at peak perfection. This class will also teach you how to tell when produce is ripe as well as how to store it for best results. For reservations, call 808-635-0257.