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Hale Puna Farm fresh Market

By on November 28, 2018 in Culture, Farmers Markets, From Seed, Kauai Life, Kauai Lifestyles, Travel Tips, Uncategorized

The Market

Our foodie staff at Tasting Kauai loves to check out new restaurants and stay up to date on new chef innovations & creations  here on island, and while there are few things that excite us more than the search for a heavenly meal, they do exist! I recently had the pleasure of visiting Hale Puna in the town of Waimea. Hale Puna, or the historic Gulick Rowell Mission House, is a burgeoning small scale food forest. This community focused farm is a project we can really get behind. Every Thursday afternoon from 3:30-5:30 p.m. at Hale Puna, 9567 Huakai Road you can stop by and visit their farm market and purchase your produce for a good cause. (If this time doesn’t work for you, you can also reach out to set up pickup time for a CSA basket)

Community Involvement

Working closely with farm school interns from Ke Kula Niʻihau o Kekaha, they not only have a beautiful flourishing garden, but also strive to provide hands on training to get kids on the west side involved in organic permaculture style farming. They want to show them this is a viable outlet for future employment that can benefit them, their health and their community.

Hale Puna is a 501(c)3. All proceeds from the Farmers Market go towards restoring the historic Gulick Rowell Mission House and to paying these farm school interns (middle and high school students from the west side!).

Getting the next generation to care & get involved is going to shape what the future of food security will look like on our lovely island. Creating more food growth, protecting and honoring the culture, and helping to create economically resilient jobs are all imperative goals for Kauai. They are striving for all of the above with this foundation.  Jim Ballantine, a 4th generation West side resident, owns and operates the Kōkeʻe lodge along with Hale Puna. His daughter Fanny runs the market and farm project and is the driving force behind getting this project flourishing. 

The Food

Here at the farm the students have already planted over 75 fruit trees and many other crops including papaya, ulu(breadfuit), avocado, banana, liliko’i, ‘olena(turmeric), sweet potato, sugar cane and kabocha. The traditional forest garden will focus on presenting classes and workshops around food, sustainability, permaculture and the history of West Kauai agriculture. Any food that isn’t sold at the market on Tuesdays or in CSA baskets, is taken up to be utilized at Kōkeʻe Lodge, so no food goes to waste! 

History

Whether you are a foodie, a history buff, a cultural guru or just a curious visitor – there is something for everyone at Hale Puna. Inquire about a donation based guided tour of the oldest house in Hawaii and their surrounding food forest. This home was built in 1829 and has been majorly renovated only once in 1927. The original wood floors are still inside! They hope to use the house once it is restored as a community center for events and performances that contribute to the cultural richness of West Kauai life. It is so cool to see the home being brought into the modern world with this food focused non profit!

 

You can find out more about this incredible project and all of the dedicated local people behind it on their website at http://www.halepuna.org/ and be sure not to miss their farmer’s market on your way down from the canyon!

Tropical fruits not to miss at Kauai’s markets

By on August 1, 2018 in Culture, Farmers Markets, Travel Tips

Fruit Knowledge: Kauai Style

The history of fruit in Hawaii takes us all over the globe, beginning with the canoe crops of the Polynesian voyagers  brought here around 450 A.D. Today, you will find fruits that hail from the Americas, SE Asia, Africa, India and China. This year has proven to not be a bumper crop for mangoes.With the high rainfall and floods of the winter, many flowers never made it to fruits. But don’t despair, mango is not the only luscious fruit found here!

Apple Bananas & Pineapple

Here are a few of our funky favorites not to miss:

  1. Soursop -First on the list, and a personal favorite. Also known by the name Graviola, this green spiky fruit is packed with nutrients. Some say it tastes like a combination of banana and pineapple, with citrus back notes. You can slice in half, remove the seeds and use the white soft flesh in smoothies or just eat by the spoonful! It boosts immunity, has cancer fighting properties and is rich in Vitamin C. Our friends at Rising Sun Organic Farm almost always have a beautiful soursop fruit for you to try.
  2. Dragonfruit – Pitaya or dragonfruit is indigenous to the Americas, and resides in the cactus family. Don’t be intimidated by the green flame shaped spikes atop the bright pink skin. This fruit is very mild and easy to consume! Think of a refreshing kiwi mixed with the texture of a pear. Its health perks include calcium, carotene and high fiber content.
  3. Mountain Apple – also known as Rose or Malay apple, this fruit hails from Malaysia. Not to be confused with mainland apples, this refreshing fruit is perfect for summertime. It has a light pear texture and very nice floral or rosewater flavor. Polynesian voyagers first introduced this fruit centuries ago, the Hawaiian name is Ohi’a ‘ai. Eat this one for the history and the taste! Our friends at Monkeypod Jam make a great Mountain Apple Pepper Jelly if you feel the need to take some home.
  4. Mangosteen – Purple Mangosteen is a very elusive fruit. Traced back to SE Asia, the tree can take 10 years to start bearing fruit. However, once it gets going it will continue to produce until it is  over 100 years old.  Mangosteen is said to have the perfect balance of acid and sugar. Inside the leathery maroon skin are almond size and shaped segments of soft white fruit. Queen Victoria is said to have offered knighthood to anyone who could bring her this exotic fruit in edible condition (no one was successful). This fruit is not allowed to be shipped to the mainland United States – so I suggest if you find one of these hidden gems do not hesitate to try it out!
  5.  Starfruit – aka Carambola. Aptly named by its five pointed shape, as it creates perfect stars when  sliced into pieces. This fruit is one that friends and neighbors will try to drop off on your porch by the bushel. It has a mild, sweet flavor. Try to look for one that is more orange, these will be sweeter than if you get them more green and yellow! Sliced on top of a bowl of yogurt and drizzled with local honey is a great way to start your day on the island.

There are many more than these to discover, don’t miss out on the aloha of the farmers here. Ask them questions at the market, and be adventurous! Buy from many different tables to try fun varieties. Whatever you do, get out of your comfort zone and take advantage of these exotic fruits you will not be finding at your local supermarket. Now, go forth and be fruitful!

Kealia Farm Market, A New Farmers Market in Kapaa

By on March 2, 2015 in Farmers Markets
Chung Li sells just harvested produce. Photo by Marta Lane

Chung Li sells just harvested produce. Photo by Marta Lane

This February, Kealia Farm Market opened by showcasing farmers who grow on a 40-acre property known as Kealia Farm. Besides just harvested produce, this market offers fish caught off Kauai’s shores as well as taro products such as poi, cooked corms, pie and laulau. Since all of the farmers are from one farm, founder Adam Asquith is not calling it a farmers market, rather it’s a farm market. Located across from Kealia Beach, behind the Kealia Post Office, you’ll see a red wagon and shortly thereafter, a parking lot on the left. The market is open every Monday and Friday from 3 to 7 p.m. When designing the market, Adam wanted to create something by the community for the community. The hours accommodate people who work during the day and m Kapaa residents volunteer their time to promote and manage the market. Continue Reading →

New Farmers Market in Kapaa

By on July 10, 2012 in Farmers Markets
Kapaa Farmers Market. Daniel Lane photo

Kapaa Farmers Market. Daniel Lane photo

The Kapaa farmers market is one of the biggest markets on Kauai, and it just got bigger. As one of seven Sunshine Markets sponsored by the County of Kauai, the market can only sell unprocessed fruits, vegetables, nuts, flowers and plants that are grown on Kauai.

On June 12, a new farmers market opened right next to the Sunshine Market. It’s an independent addition to the County market, and a goal for 60 vendors is set.

Sarah Wooton of Kauai Kunana Dairy. Marta Lane photo

Sarah Wooton of Kauai Kunana Dairy. Marta Lane photo

The new market is a division of Restore Kauai, a nonprofit with a mission to restore the traditional strength of Kauai communities by supporting sustainability, encouraging traditional Hawaiian values, and providing vocational skills training.

“We are here to support people on Kauai who are doing their thing,” says market manager Alpha Harada. “As long as it’s Kauai grown and Kauai made.

Yellow, low-acid pineapples from Koamalu Farm are $1 a pound. Marta Lane photo

Yellow, low-acid pineapples from Koamalu Farm are $1 a pound. Marta Lane photo

“We want the market to be geared toward Hawaiian culture, so I want to include locally made crafts like hula implements, fishing nets and wood carvings. Eventually, I’d like to have an educational resource center available to the community so we can pass these cultural traditions to our kids.”

Normally, the Sunshine Market is so popular, that parking is congested. Restore Kauai’s market has a large parking lot with a quick exit to Kuhio Highway. A short walk across the street using a designated walkway provides safe and easy access to the Sunshine Market.

Vendors provide hot food, value added items, and art and crafts made by Kauai residents. Some of the vendors include:

Gandule rice and empanadillas at JCs Puerto Rican Kitchen. Marta Lane photo

Gandule rice and empanadillas at JCs Puerto Rican Kitchen. Marta Lane photo

  • Fruit and vegetable farmers
  • Kauai Kunana Dairy – certified organic: goat cheese, feta cheese, sauces, pesto, fresh squeezed juice, vegetables, fruit, and body products made with beeswax from their farm
  • Midnight Bear Breads – European-style baguettes, ciabatta bread and sandwiches
  • JC’s Puerto Rican Kitchen – beef or chicken burritos, tacos, empanadillas, gandule rice, salsa and chips
  • Granny Feel Goods Kettle Corn – freshly made, lightly sweet, lightly salty
  • Hand squeezed juice, roasted and seasoned mac nuts

  • Granny Feel Goods Kettle Corn. Marta Lane photo

    Granny Feel Goods Kettle Corn. Marta Lane photo

 

  • Live Food – organic, vegan and raw products including kale chips, raw chocolate, and kombucha
  • Shave ice
  • Paradise Puzzles
  • Kolopua – hand dyed silks, sachets, and T-shirts
  • Aloha wear includes children’s clothes, dresses and aprons
  • Photography by Charlie Grotsky
  • Jewelry made from sea glass found on Kauai’s beaches

Market hours are every Wednesday from 3 to 6 p.m. Click here for a map.

There is enough room for 60 vendors. For more information contact Alpha Harada at 808-635-0877, or visit the Kauai Markets website.

 

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