It Gets Darker..
The amount of dangerous sunscreens on the market is startling, and we haven’t even discussed the potential damage to the environment, which most chemical based sunscreens pose. According to various reports, large portions of previously magnificent reefs in the Caribbean and Hawaii are now desolate wastelands due to a chemical in most sunscreens. What once were vibrant locations for snorkeling and ocean activities are now empty. Bottom line: chemical based sunscreens are damaging, not only to your overall well being, but also to the ocean and the oxygen generating ocean plants on which we depend. Many people are concerned, and rightfully so, about mass deforestation eliminating our oxygen supply. However, marine plants provide 50-85 percent of the earth’s oxygen! Even if we saved every tree in the world but kill off the ocean’s plants, we still die. We can’t survive without our ocean’s plant life, full-stop.
What’s The Solution?
So where does that leave us? Are we forced to run and hide from the sun, limiting our exposure to minutes as opposed to hours since many sunscreens are poisonous? No, thankfully there are mineral based sunscreens, which unlike chemical sunscreens are designed not to soak into your skin. Ultimately, these still protect you from the sun, while also being ocean friendly. Unfortunately, not all mineral based sunscreens are created equal. Many still contain various ingredients that can be harmful to the oceans, such as Nanoparticles or Titanium Dioxide.
Hawaii’s Super Tan
Therefore, picking the proper sunscreen is vital to both your health and that of the planet. What better place to develop a sunscreen that not only protects you from the sun’s harmful rays but also conserves the environment than in Hawaii! Little Hands Hawaii, over years of experimentation, has invented a sunscreen devised with Hawaii’s people and nature in mind.
The Pacific Island chain is home to some of the most picturesque beaches in the world, along with an innate understanding of the importance of nature. Not only does the entire economy rely on the preservation of our environment but Hawaii locals share a fierce obligation to maintain our natural wildlife. It is more than a place where we were born and raised; it is a part of us from birth.
Little Hands Hawaii sunscreen is safe for everyone, including your keiki (kids) for today and their future. Because if we don’t conserve the planet, we have now, there may not be a future for our children. Check out our website for more information on our life and world saving sunscreen.
100% Pure Maui Catuai, Maui Oma Coffee Roasters
I sought out the roaster of those epic beans, which happened to be a tiny roasting company at the time. I was able to track them down, and I asked to sweep their floors and maybe just maybe learn a little about roasting. I was, of course, denied. I talked the manager at Jane to teach me how to use the beautiful and probably $18,000 La Marzocco espresso machine. By lesson two I was way too freaked out about breaking that machine to continue. But I also traveled; I toured the entire West Coast and New York, in search of that first sip’s ecstasy. Just like the sip that I had experienced at Jane. But it was to no avail. When I moved back to Hawaii, at the time, there were no good coffee spots; it was dismal. I thought the only way to find that perfect cup was to learn to make it myself.
Maui Oma's 10% Maui Grown Coffee Blend
So there I was at my old high school job learning to remake coffee. The location was the same, but the setting and owners were different. Honolulu Coffee Co. has a fantastic barista training program, and that is where I learned my stuff. I probably didn’t sleep much in those few months of training, but I did learn a ton. I was a quick study and soon got hired by a sweet little farm to table restaurant where I honed my skills. It was there that I learned Maui actually grows pretty good coffee often ranking above some Kona’s. It is the roaster on Maui that brings the Maui bean into the ranks of the Kona and Kau beans. It is this very roaster that comes close to making liquid sunshine in a cup and a cappuccino to match my life altering coffee experience. The Roaster is Oma Maui Coffee Roasters, and they are amazing!
Maui Oma Coffee Roasters - Pure Big Island Kau Coffee and 100% Kona Prime
-For more coffee talk check out this post highlighting some of Maui's best coffee spots. Many of them serve Oma Maui Coffee Beans
-Stay tuned for an inside look at Maui Coffee and the geniuses behind the bean.
Maui Oma Coffee Roaster's - 100% Maui Mokka
*photos to come
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I have always been fascinated by the weather. I spent many mornings and afternoons watching the clouds and trying to predict the following day's weather. My fascination with weather served me well when studying traditional navigation with the Polynesian Voyaging Society first under the tutelage of Ka’iulani Murphy and then Nainoa Thompson. I got relatively good at it, spending most mornings and evenings making my observations and recording my hypothesis. Ka’iulani provided us with an excellent list of sources to refer to when planning our coastal or multi-day sails. I also used them to cross reference my observations. Below is a combination of her sources and a few I picked up along the way. These are now my primary sources for the weather and news since I haven’t practiced reading the sky for some time now. Maybe I’ll start doing that…next week.
I also included two news sources. These two sources do a great job depicting Hawaii’s political and social climate. Both are beautifully done and portray Hawaii as it is or was.
Top 10 Sources for Hawaii Weather and News:
Haiku Heaven Coco Mac Nut Bars
Crust
3 cups graham cracker crumbs (20 crakers)
¾ cups melted butter
¼ teaspoon coarse salt
Topping
1 cup chocolate chips
2 cups sweetened coconut flakes
1 cup unsalted macadamia nuts, whole or coarsely chopped
1 cup walnuts, whole or broken
1 can sweetened condensed milk
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix crust ingredients and press into 9x13 pan and set aside.
Toss together all topping ingredients except for the sweetened condensed milk.
Sprinkle dry toppings over unbaked crust.
Slowly pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over toppings.
Bake until edges are dark brown. About 30 to 40 minutes.
After bars have cooled, you can trim the edges if needed and cut into desired shape and size.
]]>Here is a very brief history of Hawaii’s pineapple heydays:
Pineapples were first introduced to Hawaii in 1813 by Don Francisco de Paula y Marin. He was the Spanish advisor to King Kamehameha I, and is also credited with bringing coffee to the islands around the same time. By 1913 Pineapple was a booming business, Hawaii had eight canneries, which altogether packed nine millions cases of pineapple. Pineapple production saw its peak in 1955 with roughly 76,700 acres planted. In five years from its peak, Hawaii will be credited with supplying 80% of the world's canned pineapple.
Steps to Deliciousness:
First, you will need to buy a fresh, healthy looking pineapple. The pineapple crown should be green and have a healthy looking center. The crown is the most important part so pay attention when purchasing.
1. Twist the crown off the top of the pineapple. You can cover it with a kitchen towel and give it a firm twist.
2. Fill a mason jar with water.
3. Place pineapple crown's bottom into the water of mason jar. Make sure not to submerge past the first row of leaves.
4. Change water once a week.
5. Roots will start growing down into the water. Remove and clean dead leave at the base of the crown.
6. You can keep the pineapple in the mason jar for a very very long time. But at this point, I recommend giving your pineapple a jumpstart in life and planting it in soil.
7. Water your pineapple often and transfer to a larger pot when needed.
8. In about a year or two you should see the plant start to flower. A mini pineapple will form. Continue to watch pineapple.
9. Harvest when pineapple is golden in color.
10. Enjoy!
If you can't wait a year for your pineapple. Here are some of Hawaii Made’s pineapple inspired gifts:
Click photos for more info.
Bride and Groom Gifts
Bride and Bridesmaids Gifts
Gifts for the girls! Papaya makeup bags are the perfect container for your bridesmaid's gifts. You can squeeze in 'Opihi friendship rings, alongside calming lavender mists and candles.
Groom and Groomsmen Gifts
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For the Fellows. Specialty coffee from Maui is unique and useful. Don't forget your boys need to be well groomed for the big day, spoil them with charcoal soap and woodsy smelling sandalwood face mist.
Wedding Guest Gifts
For the loved ones. Our Monstera Heart Greeting Cards are the perfect way to say thank you.
Find more gifts made in Hawaii at www.hawaiimade.com
**Thank you, Anna Kim Photography for the wedding photo.
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Thanks for reading this far. Here is a 10% off discount code for the, um, Aloha.
Hawaii Made Discount Code: SALES&ALOHA
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Debra has an eye for detail, which if for a brief second, transports you to Hawaii's beautiful underwater habitats.
Here are her steps for fish printing. She encourages all to record their catches before eating just like tradition has taught us.
]]>I first came across Debra’s fish prints at the Made in Maui Festival a couple of years ago. What drew me to her work was her mastery of color and detail. Her fish prints took me right back to my childhood, where I spent much of my time snorkeling the reefs around Maui. The colors and details that she captures are realistic and bring life to her prints. I hadn’t seen gyotaku done with such mastery until I saw Debra's work. The prints look just like the fish that dot Hawaii’s reefs. It was apparent that she had spent a lot of time studying her subjects in their natural environment. Debra has an eye for detail, which if for a brief second, can transport you to Hawaii's beautiful underwater habitats.
Debra’s love for fish printing or fish rubbing was founded years ago when she visited an exhibition at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. It was there that she learned the tradition is from Japan and is known there as Gyotaku. In the mid-1800's Japanese fisherman would use Gyotaku or fish rubbing to record their catches. This art appealed to Debra who has always been attracted to simplistic beauty and refined detail.
Debra is lucky enough to never be out of fish to print as her friends and Husband are often spearfishing along Maui’s coastlines. Having a fisherman for a spouse has enabled her to experiment with colors and allowed her to find her style. She follows the roots of the tradition by making sure to use nontoxic paint for her artful recordings so that the family can enjoy the catch for dinner.
Here are her steps for fish printing. She encourages all to record their catches before eating just like tradition has taught us.
Step 1 – Go fishing!
Step 2 - Prep the fish.
My kitchen is my "studio," and the first task is to clean the slime off the fish, pat it dry, and pin the fins into position. This is the most important step to getting a good print, but it is a wet, slimy, and smelly process. I recommend that you work somewhere that you can get messy.
Step 3 - Inking the fish
The fish is painted using non-toxic soy-based inks. I work quickly keeping the fish cool so that it will be suitable for eating once I'm finished. I strive to capture the essence of the fish as I paint it, staying true to its markings and colors.
Step 4 - Making the rubbing
I gently lay rice paper or fabric over the fish and using my hands I gently rub an impression.
Step 5 - Pulling the print
As I carefully pull the paper away from my subject, the impression becomes visible. There's an element of surprise when I first see my print. You never really know how it will come out.
Step 6 - Painting the Eye
Painting in the eye is done by hand with a brush. This is my favorite part.
And finally, I wash the ink off the fish and we put it on the grill and enjoy a fresh fish dinner. So ono!
You can find some of Debra's best work here, including Hawaii's State fish the Humuhumunukunukuapua'a and my favorites for eating the Mahi Mahi and the Ahi.
*Looking to go fishing on Maui, we are friends with awesome brothers who take avid fishermen out daily. Check them out!
*Best places to view fish in their natural habitat on Maui: Black Rock, Ka'anapali, Honolua Bay, and Molokini Crater.
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2. Belle Surf Café – Kihei
Quiet, quirky, quaint, and cute is the best way to describe this hidden gem. Boasting some of Maui’s best espresso drinks along with sweet and savory crepes, you can’t go wrong here. This café is a rare escape from the touristy hustle and bustle of Kihei.
bellesurfcafe.com - 1794 S Kihei Rd, Kihei, HI 96753
3. Akamai Coffee – Drive Thru - Kihei & Kahului
Akamai started serving coffee to the commuters of Maui with a cute drive through that is still serving up top notch coffee. This location can be found in the parking lot of Kahului's Home Depot. With the success of their drive through they were able to expand to Kihei and continue to serve through a drive-through window as well as indoor and outdoor seating. Excellent coffee and espresso roasted on Maui makes this one of our top picks. www.akamaicoffee.com/
4. Maui Coffee Roasters – Kahului
Centrally located in Kahului, this is a great spot for locals heading to work. Also, a great stop before or after a flight. You can sample a plethora of Hawaii's beans since they roast their beans in the back ensuring many choices of the freshest cup on the island. Classic coffee shop ambiance makes this place as welcoming as delicious.
mauicoffeeroasters.com - 444 Hana Hwy b, Kahului, HI 96732 - (808) 877-2877
5. Paia Bay Coffee – Paia
Paia Bay has one of the best settings. Sip on your coffee amongst tropical flowers and potted palms. This garden setting removes you from the hustle and bustle of eccentric Paia. Here you can let down from shopping at the many cute boutiques that Paia has to offer. They have great food options as well.
paiabaycoffee.com - 115 Hana Hwy, Paia, HI 96779 - (808) 579-3111
6. Island Vintage Coffee – Kaanapali
This is a great spot not only for coffee but food as well, serving both breakfast and lunch. Nicely located in Whalers Village it is easy to access with nice shopping and an easy walk to the beach where you can sip and watch the whales and waves.
islandvintagecoffee.com - 2435 Kaanapali Pkwy, Unit L5 Lahaina, HI 96761 - (808) 868-4081
Side Notes: I'm passionate about coffee. I once had a cappuccino that changed my life, and I've ben searching for that same sip ever since.
Coffee shops have historically been a crossroads for people to come together and exchange ideas and experiences. They are special places and are often the best place to get the latest news. If you are looking for a place to meet new people and learn a towns essence, I always recommend seeking out the local's favorite coffee shop.
The routine of coffee is one of my favorites. It is how many highlight the start of their day. If you prefer the ritual of grinding your beans, boiling your water, and brewing at home, I would highly recommend Maui Oma Coffee. They expertly roast Kona Prime and 100% Maui Grown Beans including Red Catuai, Maui Mokka, and a 10% blend. I love the Maui Grown Red Catuai and a rare Big Island bean from Ka'u.
Happy Sipping,
Shannon
Digression: The Hawaiian islands have a dominate Makani or wind. It comes from the northeast and is commonly called the tradewinds. These are the winds that brought trading vessels of old to Hawaii, hence their name. This wind provides the east side of the Hawaiian islands with majority of its rainfall. Making the windward sides especially lush and green.
Many who live on the rainy sides of Hawaii are blessed with its bounty. Flowers and fruit are plentiful. Because of this, many families have recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation. Here is my families recipe for Banana bread. Bananas in Hawai'i are a fruit that is always in season, and we always have too many of them.
Set oven to 350 degrees.
Prepare Loaf Pan
With clean hands or a whisk mash bananas and sugar together in large bowl, set aside. In a separate bowl whisk together salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and flour. In another bowl measure out and whisk the liquids together.
Pour liquids consisting of oil, buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla into banana and sugar bowl, mix until fully incorporated. Fold in your remaining ingredients, the dry ingredients, into the wet mixture. Remember Tutu always says, don't over mix!
Pour into prepared loaf pan. *At this point I like to sprinkle coarse raw sugar or turbinado sugar over the top for the extra crunch. Bake on middle rack until deep brown or passes toothpick test should be about 40 mins. depending on your oven.
*Feel free to add a cup or so of your favorite nuts. Also, for a unique take on banana bread try adding a teaspoon or two of orange zest.
Aloha and Enjoy,
Shannon
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