To those on the east coast, we offer our aloha and this Coconut Painkiller made with Koloa Rum and served at Merriman’s. Daniel Lane photo

NEWS:

Common Ground

This Saturday Common Ground is hosting a wedding ceremony and reception for a couple from Brooklyn, NY.  Originally a party of 20, they are now only traveling with nine adults and two children because many family and friends were effected by the storm. Thankfully, no one was injured, but due to the storm, folks couldn’t make travel arrangements.

As an extension of the aloha spirit from Kauai, Common Ground is waiving all cancellation and change fees and is refunding a chunk of their money. On the night of the wedding, there will be a special, intimate dinner setting to make their party seem less empty. Cheers to everyone at Common Ground, way to share that aloha spirit!

Akamai Juice Co.

Last Friday, Hot Shots and Wellness Shots from Akamai Juice Co. became available at The Garden Cafe. Now, Noni shots have been added to the Wellness & Hot shot menu at The Garden Cafe. “It’s a really great combo,” says Cas Schwabe Lutton of Akamai Juice Co. “A wellness shot or hot shot, followed by the Noni. I think they have a special price if you buy two shots. It used to be hard to find raw, organic noni nectar on island. I think the goat cheese peeps and I are the two biggest.” If anyone has organic lilikoi for sale, email Cas at akamaikauai@gmail.com.

According to the website HealthySteps.com noni is:

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  Noni buds have about 50 flowers, each flower becomes an eye. Daniel Lane photo

  Analgesic – Noni has the nicknames of “The Tree For Headaches” or “The Painkiller Tree”. Studies have shown that noni reduced pain comparable to the drugs tramadol and hydrocortisone, making it effective for arthritic and other joint pains.

• Immune system booster – Noni strengthens the immune system. It also contains antibacterial agents that fight infectious bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.
• Antidepressant/sedative – Noni stimulates seratonin and melatonin, two very important hormones. Seratonin affects mood, emotions, and sleep; imbalance in levels of serotonin may contribute to depression. Melatonin regulates the Circadian rhythm, which helps you sleep.
• Skincare/hair – Noni’s properties are useful on skin and scalp conditions, such as eczema and ringworm; also rubbed on scalp for lustrous hair; and will keep your skin young. Just rub some juice on affected skin/scalp, leave on for 15 minutes, rinse off. Ingestion of juice may help your nails to grow stronger.
• Anti-tumor/anti-cancer – Noni stimulates the production of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is an extremely useful substance, one that is at the base of many of noni’s benefits. In this case, it reduces tumor growth and helps your body fight against the cancerous replication of cells. It also contains an immunomodulatory polysaccharide rich substance known as noni-ppt that further fights cancer. One more thing that’s important are the amount of phytochemicals in noni that fight cancer. Phytochemicals are found in vegetables and herbs, if eaten regularly will build up preventive amounts. In the case of cancer already being present, noni and other plants with high amonts will slow, stop, or totally reverse the cancer process.
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  Ripe noni is soft and translucent. Daniel Lane photo

  Hypertension – Noni is high in phytonutrients, selenium, and vitamin C, which fights free radical damage on blood vessel walls; scopoletin, a compound that may lower blood pressure; it is alkaline, which keeps bodily fluids from becoming too acidic, therefore hurting free radicals. It also has proxeronine, which is needed for the body to produce xeronine. Xeronine helps coordinate the cells to work harmonious, lowering stress and in turn, blood pressure. Also has the amino acid, tryptophan. When tryptophan enters the blood stream and goes to cells, it helps produce other substances that are important, such as even more seratonin, which is great for lowering blood pressure by way of its relaxing effect.

• Cholesterol – Noni prevents the absorption of LDL cholesterol, thus reducing plaque in arteries, keeping you healthy and alive longer.
• Memory – Noni prevents absorption of cholesterol by way of its large amount of phytosterols. This directly helps your brain stay healthier, and plaque does not build up in arteries feeding the brain, keeping it properly oxygenated.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome/constipation – Noni is high in soluble fiber, which helps ease the strain on your intestines and softens stool. Also has necessary vitamins and minerals to keep your intestines healthy.
• Antibacterial/antifungal/antiviral – Noni has properties to fight infections comparable to that of prescription drugs. It contains anthraquinones, scopoletin, and terpenes, among others all work together to fight diseases.

For more information about noni, and to learn about a Kauai-based noni farmer who makes noni fruit leather check out our blog post, Noni, An Ancient Polynesian Miracle Fruit.

One Song Produce

The good news is One Song Produce is now available at the Saturday Namahana farmers market. The bad news is, there are no open spots, so Lisa Fuller and Sun fill in when farmers go on vacation or are unable to attend. This works well for the couple, who are now farming at Kumu Aina, as their new market gardens are still young and developing.

Scotty’s Beachside BBQ

Last week, Pacific Business News (PBN) reported that, after a decade, Scotty’s Beachside BBQ will close after the property is sold. This week, PBN reports that Scott Phelps, co-owner of Scotty’s Beachside BBQ, says that if the property isn’t sold in about two years they plan to stay where they are.

“We are pretty much playing a waiting game,” Phelps said. “[If and when we move], we’d like to stay in Kapaa but in a smaller space.”

Tasting Kauai

Tasting Kauai was named “Best Foodie Advise” and called “the essential resource to local food” by in an article called Feasting on the Garden Island of Kauai published in Canada’s Calgary Herald newspaper. The article focuses on local food, and includes Kaneshiro Farms, Smith’s Luau, Koloa Rum, Cloudwater Tea, Hanalei Taro & Juice Company, Josselin’s Tapas Bar & Grill, Kauai Grill, and the Hukilau Lanai, all Tasting Kauai favorites!

EVENTS:

Friday, November 2

Princeville Wine Market

Oregon Wine Tasting, 3 to 6 p.m., free

Free wine tasting featuring from highly esteemed Oregon wineries. Tastings include Pinot Gris from Cristom and Alexana as well as various styles of Oregon Pinot Noir from Planet Oregon, Bergstrom, and Soter. For more information, call 808-826-0040.

Saturday, November 3

Kauai Arbor Day Tree Giveaway

Kauai Arbor Day Tree Giveaway, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Kukui Grove in the parking lot behind K-Mart

There will be over 2,000 free trees at this year’s giveaway. The focus is on native plants, and the giveaway will feature a variety of species, such as: aalii, alahee, kokio keoke o, munroidendron, maile, naio, nanu, ohe, ohia lehua and pohinahina.

Sunday, November 4

Lighthouse Bistro

Six-course Wine Dinner, $89

The Lighthouse Bistro will be hosting a wine dinner and Chris from Southern Wine & Spirits will be showcasing wines from his portfolio that include Chandon, Chalone, Provenance, and Beaulieu Vineyards. There will be some great deals on these wines if ordered that evening. Here is a sneak peak of the menu.

First course, Seafood Ceviche

Second course, Saffron Parmesan Polenta

Third course, Ginger crusted Fish Wasabi Beurre Blanc

Fourth course, Pork stuffed with goat cheese and a rosemary mushroom demi-glaze

Fifth course, Grilled Sirloin with Gorgonzola balsamic sauce

Dessert is yet to be announced. For reservations call 808-828-0480.

Monday, November 5

Grown

Italian Pop-Up Dinner

Caffe Coco, 6 p.m., $50

Doug Kocol from Salt Kitchen and Tasting Bar recently won the Rising Stars Artisan Award from StarChefs. He’ll also be cooking this Monday for Collin Darrell’s pop-up restaurant Grown. The five-course dinner will be inspired by five Italian regions, sourced locally of course! For reservations, visit OpenTable.

Saturday, November 12

The Hawaiian name for breadfruit is ulu. Daniel Lane photo

Breadfruit Workshop

Kauai Nursery & Landscaping, 9 a.m., free

Join the experts at Kauai Nursery & Landscaping (KNL) for a free breadfruit workshop. There will be a discussion about how to care for the fruit, as well as recipes and a sampling of immature and mature breadfruit cooked into scrumptious dishes. You’ll probably learn some tips as well. “To keep breadfruit from ripening quickly, store it in a bowl of cool water,” says Sandy Nishek, daughter of KNL owner Lelan Nishek. Who knew?

Friday, November 16

Breezy and beautiful gourmet lunch and cooking demonstration at the Kauai Marriott Resort. Daniel Lane photo

Kauai Culinary Tour

Our next Kauai Culinary Tour is scheduled for November 16, where our final stop will be at The Feral Pig. The Koloa Rum Company will teach us about their award-winning, small batch rum, and Dave Power, co-owner and bartender at The Feral Pig will show us how to make two cocktails with Koloa Rum—which we get to drink! We will tour a 2- acre sustainable fruit farm, and enjoy a four-course lunch and cooking demonstration at the Kauai Marriott Resort. For details, check out our Kauai Culinary Tour page, and check out our 2013 calendar listing.

Sunday, November 18

Garden Island Range & Food Festival

As far as food festivals on Kauai go, it doesn’t get any more local than this. In its fourth season, the 2012 Garden Island Range & Food Festival (GIRFF) is a completely “in the moment” type of event because chefs receive their ingredients three days before the event. As the 2012 Farm Chairperson and Treasurer, we have the inside scoop which we’ll share in the Tastes of Kauai column in the November 14 issue of MidWeek Kauai. I will tell you that 15 of the island’s best chefs will cook protein from five Kauai-based ranches and includes grass-fed Aakukui Ranch beef, grass-fed lamb from Akuamakanalani Farm, and for the first time, grass-fed lamb from the Kauai Kunana Dairy! Kaneshiro Farms pork will be cooked up again, as well as Kauai Shrimp. We also have 18 local farmers to provide the produce.

On the Wednesday before the event, we, at Tasting Kauai, will pick up the produce and deliver it to Ben Takahashi, the executive chef at the Club at Kukuiula, GIRFF Chef Chairperson, and one of the founders of the event. Chef Takahashi, along with rancher Duane Shimogawa will deliver the ingredients on Thursday, and the chefs will create their dish!

We made a video and blog post about Duane Shimogawa, owner of Aakukui Ranch called Fighting Superbugs with Antibiotic Free Beef. Check it out if you’d like to learn more.

Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 22

Nanea Thanksgiving Dinner

Westin Princeville, $60 ($20 for wine paring) Children are $30

Nanea will celebrate Thanksgiving with a three-course dinner that will make the mouths of men, women and vegetarians water.

First Course

Choice of:

• Phil’s Greens with candied macadamia nuts, roasted beets, craisins, heart of palm and raspberry vinaigrette
• Rainbow Chard Risotto with crab cake, truffle oil and shaved Parmesan
• Kalua Duck with chop chop salad and hoisin vinaigrette

Second Course

• Gingered butternut squash soup, creme fraiche and chives

Third Course

Choice of:

• Slow Roasted Prime Rib with Yukon mash, asparagus, thyme jus and horseradish cream
• Sage Roasted Kalua Turkey Breast with sweet potato mash, macadamia nut stuffing, braised greens, orange cranberry sauce and giblet gravy
• Sesame Garlic Seared Fresh Catch with shiiitake fried rice, baby bok choy, amasu shoga, lime ginger butter and oyster sauce
• Roasted Vegetable Tower with seared tofu, ginger soy reduction and chive oil

Dessert

Choice of:

• Pumpkin Crunch with pumpkin crunch ice cream and whipped cream
• Chocolate Banana Bread Pudding with Lappert’s vanilla ice cream
• Lappert’s Sorbet with seasonal berries

To make reservations call 808-827-8808

Sheraton Kauai

RumFire Thanksgiving Dinner Buffet, 4 to 9 p.m., $49, $25 (children 6-12), Early Bird Special, $39 per person

RumFire Thanksgiving buffet includes: Assorted gourmet sushi rolls, ahi poke, take poke, Kailani Greens, papaya seed dressing, balsamic dressing, orange honey dressing, roasted fingerling potato salad, roasted beets salad, local arugula, Kunana Dairy feta cheese, cucumber namasu, somen salad, tropical fruit, Hawaiian sweet rolls, roasted turkey, slow-roasted prime rib, roasted ham, ginger pineapple sauce, giblet gravy, cranberry orange relish, cornbread stuffing, island fresh catch, Yukon gold mashed potatoes, sauteed green beans with toasted almonds, steamed white rice, mini pumpkin pie, mini apple pie, fruit tartlets, mini double-fudge cookies, chocolate covered macaroons, coffee cake and apple crumb cake.

For reservations call 808-742-8200

Saturday, December 1

Winning plants at 2011 Kalo Festival in Waipa. Photos by Daniel Lane

Waipa Kalo Festival

Waipa, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., $3 adults, $1 children

Join the Waipa Foundation for a community hoolaulea at Waipa’s beautiful Halulu Fishpond, alongside Hanalei Bay. It’s a fun and informative day celebrating kalo (taro) with activities for the whole family including local music, educational displays, demonstrations, hands-on children activities, unique Kauai artisans, and, of course, amazing food showcasing kalo. There will also be community contests for best kalo recipe, biggest kalo and keiki art. For more information visit the Waipa Foundation website.

ONGOING:

RumFire

RumFire’s “You Dine We Donate” raised over $4,000 for Kauai United Way in the month of October. As it was such a great success, they’re going to continue the program in November to benefit the Kauai Branch of the Hawaii Foodbank.

For the month of November, RumFire will donate all food and beverage proceeds from RumFire’s sunset view Table #53.

Basic Orientation to Aquaponics and Worm Composting

$35, October 6 through December 1, Saturdays, 8 a.m. to noon, Kauai Community College

The Kauai Community College is offering a Basic Orientation to Aquaponics and Worm Composting workshops. Nine, 3-hour sessions will be held on Saturdays. The course introduces ecosystem methods in sustainable agriculture, the practice of farming using principals of ecology, and the relationships between organisms and their environment. Crops that require high levels of soil nutrients can be cultivated in a more sustainable manner with the use of environmentally friendly fertilizer and management practices.

Learn:

• How to build and operate a worm composting farm
• Seedling propagation
• Aquaponics infrastructure, system building and operational care
• Aquaponics water quality and management
• Direct and indirect benefits of aquaponics and worm composting from the economic, social and environmental perspectives

To enroll, call 808-245-8318

Check out this interview with Bobby Burns, KCC instructor and Worm Warrior.

Kauai Culinary Market

The Wednesday Kauai Culinary Market in the outdoor courtyard of The Shops at Kukuiula is one of my favorite farmers markets. The property is gorgeous, there are restaurants and shops lining the walkway, and lush landscaping with colorful flowers and towering palm trees. The market not only features Kauai farmers, but food artisans as well. There’s also live music, a beer and wine garden, and cooking demonstrations. The demonstrations feature local chefs, and farm fresh ingredients from the market. There is seating, and not only do guests get to ask questions, but they get to eat what’s made.