NEWS:

Tasting Kauai Culinary Tour

Coconut Basil and an Elderflower SakeTini at Kukui’s in the Kauai Marriott Resort. Daniel Lane photo.

Unfortunately, we had to cancel our inaugural culinary tour. Our deadline to register was June 12, which enabled everyone to gather the necessary ingredients for our guests. When the deadline came, we had one person. Over the next two days we got enough calls to do the tour, but it had already been cancelled.

We are not giving up easily! As my husband reminded me, Thomas Edison tried over 9,000 times before he invented the lightbulb. Our next tour is July 13, and will feature the same line up. For a refresher, check out our culinary tour page.

We are also working on a new north shore tour, and sumptuous details will be forthcoming.

Hanalei Farmers Market

The Hanalei farmers market is scheduled to reopen this Saturday. The market manager and executive director of Hale Halawai Ohana o Hanalei met with the Mayor of Kauai as well as the chair of the Kauai County Council, Director of Parks and Recreation, the County Engineer and the County Attorney.

Under Use Permit, Class IV Zoning Permit, and Special Management permit (SMA), the subject parcels were approved. The use of the community center for the farmers market is standard within the County of Kauai, and the State of Hawaii, and is in conformance with the subject permits.These permits only extend to specific parcels of land, and the Saturday farmers market must be confined to those areas. Any expansion requires new permits.

Parking requirements have also been met, and are sufficient for standard daily operations. During the farmers market, large volumes of vehicles are parking outside of approved parcels. On street parking, as well as parking on other property with the consent of the property owner(s) are permissible. Persistent impacts associated with operations on Hale Halawai parcels, specifically chronic overflow parking issues, could result in an Order to Show Cause in order to modify the existing permits.

The ruling on parking forced Hale Halawai to redesign the market. So parking is going to be tricky. There is no permit for parking in the Waioli Town Park, next to the green Waioli Huiia Church. Managers have promised to clearly define parking areas.

Disappointingly, north shore farmers have been silent on the Save The Hanalei Farmers Market – Kauai Facebook page. There are loads of non food vendor pleas though.

New vendor requirements from the Hale Halawai include, “Product is made on Kauai, product is made by Kauai people, and where possible, using Kauai materials.”

I assume “Product is made on Kauai” includes produce grown on Kauai. Across the United States, and including Hanalei, people sell imported produce at the market. I have a few ideas so you can protect yourself.

Every week, I visit a local farm and introduce residents to real Kauai farmers in my weekly Farmers Markets column in MidWeek Kauai. On this blog, I have written about “farmers” selling imported produce, and have introduced the Farm Bureau’s Kauai Grown campaign, of which I do work for.

The best way to insure you are getting a Kauai grown pineapple, (or Colorado peach, Washington cherries, California tomatoes, etc.), is to know your farmer, and the seasons in which specific produce becomes available.

GMOs in Kauai

A recent newsletter from the Organic Consumers Association lambasted Hawaii’s relationship with GMO companies.

“For over 20 years, Hawaii has been the global center for the open-field testing of GMO’s, including pharmaceutical crops. Over 5,000 experimental tests have been conducted that spray over 70 different chemicals.
 
“Hawaii has less than 3,000 acres of certified organic farmland, which is 0.27% of Hawaiian farmland. Kamehameha Schools is Hawaii’s largest private landowner with 363,000 acres of land. Despite Kamehameha’s public statements about sustainability and conservation, they lease substantial amounts of land for GMO open field tests and seed corn production.”

The Idiot Cycle is a film that investigates connections between chemical, cancer and GMO industries. Producers of the film want to make it public domain, and need money to pay for production costs. One of the participants in the film is Hawaiian musician and activist Makana, a longtime OCA member.

Here on Kauai, westside residents are suing Pioneer Hi-Bred for alleged inaction to control erosion and pesticide-contaminated dust from its GMO test fields. On June 14, Tom LaVenture, staff writer for the Garden Island newspaper, wrote, “The suit, filed May 16 by Honolulu attorneys P. Kyle Smith and Gerard A. Jervis, represents 17 individuals from neighboring farms and communities. They are seeking an injunction against the use of suspected toxic chemicals and damages.”

He concluded with, “The suit is seeking an injunction against Pioneer to cease using suspected chemicals until the potential harm is determined and the use is in compliance with state and local laws. It demands that Pioneer investigate actual risks to the community and offer proper warning.”

Here is the full “Waimea residents suing Pioneer Hi-Bread” article.

Sheraton Kauai Resort

On June 5, 2009, Dan and I celebrated our 10-year anniversary at a seaside luau presented by the Sheraton. We had front row seats, and were enchanted by the lovely hula dancers silhouetted against the turquoise ocean and golden twilight as the sun set. It was hands down, our favorite luau ever (we’ve been to four different ones on Kauai), and we were disappointed when they stopped doing it.

This past Wednesday, they brought the seaside luau back! Complete with an imu. Sheraton Kauai Resort has partnered with Urahutia Productions’ talented dancers and musicians to take guests on a journey through Polynesia. From Hawaii to New Zealand, dances range from heart-racing fire dances, a stirring performance depicting the story of the fire goddess Pele and her lover Lohiau, to a lighthearted number paying tribute to paniolo, or Hawaiian cowboys. The locally renowned performers, led by Kauai native Mi Nei Oliver Martins, includes several former Miss Garden Isle pageant winners and award-winning dancers.

Complimenting the cultural journey is the luau’s culinary offerings of traditional Hawaiian-rooted cuisine. An array of pupus, salads (such as the pohole fern salad with Kula tomatoes) and an assortment of poke whet guests’ appetites. Traditional lau lau, Kauai Ia (fish), grilled Io (marinated beef) with island guava rub, and “Moa” chicken are just a few of delectable entrees.

A whole roasted puaa (pig), cooked in the imu, is one of the highlights of the weekly event. Desserts such as rice pudding, coconut cake, fresh-cut island fruit and much more add a sweet ending to the evening. Bottomless cups of wine, beer, cocktails, soft drinks, coffee and tea are also included.

Poipu Oceanfront Luau is every Wednesday, and costs $95 for adults, $45 for children (5-12 years old) and $65 for teens (13-17 years old) without tax. Front row seating may be reserved for an additional $20 per person. For reservations or more information, call 808-634-1499 or visit the Sheraton Kauai website.

EVENTS:

Saturday, June 16

King Kamehameha Celebration Hoolaulea Island of Kauai 2012

Historical County Building lawn on Rice Street
Free, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Holomua Kamehameha honors the 125 Years of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop’s educational legacy. There will be a parade with pau princesses from Vidinha Stadium, up Rice Street and to the County’s Historical Building lawn where there will be a Hoolaulea with food, crafts and entertainment. Call 808-651-6419.

Sunday, June 17 – Father’s Day

Grown

Eastside Restaurant, 5 to 9 p.m.

If you’re on the Eastside join Grown, and the Eastside Restaurant for a Father’s Day celebration. An a la cart menu with items ranging in price from $9 to $29, as well as a locally sourced children’s menu, make this a family friendly experience.

The menu includes classic cuts of Kaneshiro pork, Kaneshiro lamb, and Aakukui Ranch wet-aged beef, as well as farmers market sides. There will also be a full bar. Visit the Grow Culture website to make reservations.

Plantation Gardens

If you’re on the south side, check out Plantation Gardens in Poipu. They are celebrating dad with “A Hungry Man’s Favorites”. The menu includes Ahi Tuna Poke ($13.95), Pan Seared New York Steak ($33.95) with a fully loaded twice baked potato, steamed asparagus, caramelized Maui onions, wild mushrooms and a Bourbon butter. The Chef’s Trio ($29.95) includes seafood lau lau, grilled fresh fish and pot roast. A full dinner menu is also available, and reservations are recommended. Call 808-724-2121.

Princeville Concert in the Park

Free, 3 to 6 p.m.

The Princeville Community Association is hosting a free concert in the park. Music performers include Mike Keale, Gungala Gungala, Nina Starsong and Lefty.

Garrison Price, executive chef of the St Regis, is preparing “some local, summertime small plates.” The Westin and I Scream Truck will also be providing food for purchase.

4th Annual Summer Fine Art Festival

South shore Visitors Center
Free, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Come relax in a beautiful, tropical garden and treat yourself to a fun art festival where you can meet and talk story with some of Kauai’s most prolific artists. Patrice Pendarvis, Caylin Spear, Donia Lilly, Lilian de Mello, Dawn Lundquist and Marionette Taboniar will be discussing their creative process and some may even demonstrate.

Gallery art will be for sale in a variety of styles and mediums with a portion of the proceeds supporting the National Tropical Botanical Garden.

Hawaiian music will be performed by Mahea and Friends from 10 a.m. to noon, and Dr. Matthew Miller will play soothing guitar music from noon to 2 p.m. Chalupa’s Mexican Food will be on site so you can taste authentic tamales, burritos, tacos, enchiladas and more.

The South shore Visitors Center is located across from Spouting Horn at 4425 Lawai Rd, Poipu. For more info call the Center at 742-2433.

UPCOMING:

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.

Tuesday, July 3

Stars & Stripes Freedom Celebration

Pacific Missile Range Facility Barking Sands
Free, 5 to 11 p.m.

All friends and supporters of PMRF are invited. The event will be held on the grounds of Shenanigans restaurant. Popular Kauai band Greenstone Project will open the show, followed by Revival and Na Hoku Hanohano award winner Anuhea.

There will be a heart-pounding fireworks display, and The Quake Kauai will fuel the “after party”. Food, games and craft booths will be available throughout the event.

PMRF’s Commanding Officer, Captain Nicholas Mongillo will be on hand to welcome everyone and speak to the importance of Independence Day.

Enter the base through the Kokole Point gate (adjacent to the county landfill) on Kaumualii Highway beginning at 4 p.m. Watch for signs on the highway for directions. Free parking will be available on base, although visitors are reminded that all vehicles will be subject to search. Seat belts must be worn by all drivers and passengers of vehicles while on base, no riding in pickup beds will be allowed.

No outside food or beverages, coolers, tents, pets, weapons (including knives of all types) or personal fireworks allowed. All backpacks are subject to search and beach umbrellas can be used. This is a Drug-Free event. For more information on this event, please call (808) 335-4346.

Wednesday, July 4

Kekaha Fourth of July Celebration

H.P. Faye Park
Free, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

E Ola mau Na Leo O Kekaha (Forever-Live on the Voices of Kekaha) community members celebrate the 4th of July with a day of ohana games and activities, cultural demonstrations, talent show, food booths, game booths crafts and rides plus a spectacular fireworks show. A Pule and Anthems will start the day. From 7 to 9 a.m. is the Fun Run and Zumba fest. Event begins at 10 a.m. at H.P. Faye Park, across the Kekaha Neighborhood Center.

23rd Annual Concert in the Sky

Vidinha Stadium Soccer Field, 4 to 9:30 p.m.
$10, Adults; $5 children 6-12, free for kids 5 and under

This is the annual fundraiser for Kauai Hospice. Entertainment includes Na Leo, Greenstone Project, The Wheels, Ivo Monroe Miller, Rakudo Taiko and Ori Uvita Tahitian Dance Troupe. Expect ono grinds, fun zone with inflatables, face painting, massages, silent auction, fireworks, and a chance to win a trip for two to Las Vegas. At door tickets cost $15 adults, and $7 children 6-12.