Aloha Friday Recipe: Breadfruit Chowder

Filed Under Local Recipes | Leave a Comment

2 thin strips of bacon
1/2 cup onions, sliced
1/2 cup raw carrots, sliced
2 cups raw green breadfruit, sliced
2 tsps salt
3 cups boiling water
1 1/3 cups milk

Cut bacon into small pieces and fry until light brown. Add onions and saute until brown. Add vegetables, salt and water. Boil until vegetables are tender. Add milk and serve hot. This is also a good basic recipe to use with fish.

Yield: 4 to 6 Servings

Recipe courtesy www.HawaiiDiner.com

Restaurant Review: Pele’s Other Garden

Filed Under Restaurant Review | Leave a Comment

When you go to the small island of Lanai, you’ve got a few choices for grabbing grinds.  You’ve got the big resorts where you can pay big prices or you can go into Dole Square and eat where the locals eat and stretch your dollar.  (Tip:  If the locals eat there, stop in, you’ve found the best eats!)

One of the stops on one of our excursions to Lanai was to a little deli called Pele’s Other Garden.  We tried the Italian hoagie, the meatball sub and our friend got the pizza hoagie.  I love Italian subs and if a place offers them up, I’m all over them.  This was a great hoagie and decent portion size for the money.  (If I remember correctly they’re from the Pittsburgh area and they know how to do deli sandwiches right.)  My husband liked his meatball sub as well but after a bite of my hoagie he said he knew what he was getting next time.  My friend couldn’t finish all of her french bread pizza so she gave it to us.  (Research people, research!)  I still dream about that pizza.  It was GOOD!  The sauce, which we all know is key, is perfect.  Robust and zesty, I wish they sold it by the jar.  Lunch entrees start at $5.99 and hoagies average $7-8 depending on what you get.  (Salads start at $4.99) 

Now in the evening, this place transforms into a little Italian bistro.  I’m not able to vouch for that portion of the dining experience but you can get a good feel for it from these reviews from other patrons.  Reservations are strongly recommended for both lunch and dinner because of limited seating (you can make them online) but you can also take it to go which is perfect if you’re getting ready for a big day of exploration on the island.  (There are picnic tables in the middle of the square.)  Prices for dinner are more expensive with main entrees starting at $16.99.  (Salads and pizza a little less)   Now this wahine hopes that is some magical spaghetti and meatballs for $16.99 and I don’t think a side salad comes with that so when we go for dinner sometime, I’ll let you know if it was worth the price.  If anyone has been there for dinner (or at all), feel free to add your 2 cents to this.  All in all, I’d recommend a stop at Pele’s Other Garden if you’re on Lanai and not in the mood for a local dish.  

Pele’s Other Garden
811 Houston St
Lanai City, HI 96763
888-764-3354
http://www.pelesothergarden.com/
Cut off time for online dinner reservations 3pm.

Karma and the police out for Chapman’s son

Filed Under Current Events | 1 Comment

Tucker Chapman, son of Duane “Dog” Chapman, who is now known for selling a secret recording of his father using racial slurs to the highest bidder is in the pokey for allegedly violating parole.  The alleged violations include drug use, association with a felon, failing to inform the parole officer that he had contact with a police officer and failure to follow the police officer’s instructions.  He was moved Halawa Correctional Facility and a hearing will be scheduled within 2 months.  Dog has been quoted as saying he is “heartbroken” over his son’s arrest.  Many people are commenting this is karma for turning on his own family.  I hope the $15,000 was worth it.

Sunsets of Hawaii offers a freebie!

Filed Under Spread the Aloha | 1 Comment

Who doesn’t love a freebie?  Our friends at Sunsets of Hawaii are offering a free 10 minute relaxation video download for personal use!  If you have a high speed internet connection it only takes about 10 minutes to download.  Just right click the picture and click “save target as” and you’re good to go.  Nothing like seeing the waves seemingly lapping at your feet!

While you’re there, if you haven’t already purchased Sunsets of Kauai or Sunsets of Hawaii: Volume One, jump on it!  These are the perfect gifts for ohana and friends on the mainland who wish they could pull over and watch a full sunset. 

Email them  and mention you saw their free bonus download blogged on True Aloha and get a coupon code to save on your purchase!   

Hawaiian word of the week

Filed Under Word of the week | Leave a Comment

Kapu-(ka-poo)- Forbidden, keep out

The alphabet contains 12 letters: 5 vowels (a, e, i, o, u) and 7 consonants (h, k, l, m, n, p, w). To simplify pronunciation, sound consonants as in English and break up words so they are easy to say (ie- Humuhumunukunukuapua’a would be pronounced humu-humu-nuku-nuku-apu-a-a)

Pronounce vowels as follows:

a - a in above; e - e in set; i - ee in see; o - o in some; u - oo in moon.

Pronounce vowels marked by a glottal stop (`) quickly ie- o`o sounds like oh-oh! in English.

Stress rising dipthongs (ae, ai, ao, au, oi, ou, eu, ei) on the first letter and end with a short e, i, o or u. ie- oi sounds like oy in soy, ending with a short “i”.

Attention Visitors: September closing date for Princeville Resort

Filed Under FYI | Leave a Comment

If you’re traveling to Kauai from September 19, 2008 to April 18th, 2009 and have plans to stay at the Princeville Resort, you need to check with your travel agent about alternate accomodations.  The hotel will be closed during that time to undergo a multimillion dollar renovation to become the St. Regis Resort, Princeville.  They are making efforts to move people with reservations during that time to an unnamed sister hotel but it might be a good idea to beat them to the punch to ensure a choice of views.

Maui Weekend geocaches

Filed Under Geocaching in Hawaii | Leave a Comment

Looking for some fun this weekend?  Check out some of these geocaches!

Entrance to Punalau Falls (Maui)

As the Waves Pound the Lava Rock (Maui)

Ka’anapali Beach Walk Cache (Maui)

Honomanu Bay Out Of The Way Cache (Maui)

Aloha Friday Recipe: Sage Grilled Pork Chop with Roasted Papaya Butter

Filed Under Local Recipes | Leave a Comment

4 (1- 1 1/2 inch) pork chops
2 tbsp. Sage, fresh, and chopped
2 cloves Garlic, fine chopped
4 tbsp Oil
1 pinch salt & Pepper

For Papaya Butter:
1 Papaya fruit, ripe
1/4 cup Toasted Coconut
1/2 lb. Butter, un-chilled
1 pinch Salt and Pepper

Preheat oven to 375F & Grill to med-high.  In a medium size dish combine the first five ingredients, cover and rest inside the refrigerator for a minimum of 15 minutes.  Cut the papaya in half and remove all the seeds. Using two tbsp. of butter, butter a small baking vessel and place the fruit flesh side down. Roast for 25 minutes.  Remove roasted fruit from the oven and place inside the refrigerator and chill.  Using a food processor or electric mixer, process the butter until it resembles smooth cream. Remove the soft flesh from papaya halves and add it along with the coconut to the butter. Discard the skin. Season and blend well until the mixture becomes bright yellowish orange. Scrap the butter into a small reseal-able container and refrigerate.  Grill pork chops for approximately 12 to 16 minutes turning twice or until an internal temperature of 155F.  Remove from the grill and serve with dollop of the fresh papaya butter. 

Recipe courtesy of MauiHoney’s Hawaiian Recipes

Volunteering on Vacation on Maui

Filed Under Event, Going Green | Leave a Comment

Interested in doing some volunteer work while on vacation or if you live on Maui?  See this event coming up this Saturday with the Pacific Whale Foundation.

Want to see archaeological sites of old Hawaii? Come to Honokowai Valley every third Saturday from 9 am to about 3 pm. Ed Lindsey will host a group of volunteers to restore Honokowai Valley. Volunteers will uproot invasive plant species in Honokowai Valley, and may also plant indigenous plants. They will get a chance to work in sometimes wet and sunny conditions. Sun protection, long pants and closed boots are required. Bring water and snacks. Participants get to experience a private valley full of archaeological sites. Join the growing worldwide trend of “voluntourism” by participating in the Volunteering on Vacation program offered by Pacific Whale Foundation with support from the County of Maui Office of Economic Development and the Hawaii Tourism Authority. In exchange for your efforts, you’ll receive a distinctive “Volunteering on Vacation - Maui” t-shirt and the satisfaction of joining in efforts to protect Maui’s unique environment. Transportation is provided. Participants can meet in front of the North Sugar Cane Train Station, located in Kaanapali on the mountain side of Puukoli Road. For more information about Volunteering on Vacation, contact Pacific Whale Foundation’s Reservations Department at (808) 249-8811. From the U.S. Mainland, please call 1-800-WHALE-11. Please call to make a reservation.

Even if you don’t want to do something formal like this, you can always keep small trash bags in your car and pick up trash at a local beach or park.  Or if you see trash and a trash can in close proximity, pick it up and throw it away.  Help keep Hawaii beautiful!

Local chef Sam Choy on Food Network tonight

Filed Under Hawaii TV | Leave a Comment

Make sure you tune in tonight to see adored local chef, Sam Choy on Dinner: Impossible on Food Network at 10pmEST.  (Check local listings)  The description as listed on Food Network’s website is as follows:

Late for the Luau
Robert is given his challenge oceanside and told that he will have to create a luau for 150 people including resort guests and Hawaii natives. Renowned Hawaiian chef Sam Choy will give him a lesson in luau food and Robert will have to create multiple dishes with the food and equipment provided and work with some special local help. Can Robert speed up Hawaiian Time or is this Dinner Impossible?

For those of you unfamiliar with Sam Choy, you’ll want to definitely make sure you tune in.  If you ever wanted to see the aloha spirit in its physical form, Sam embodies it.  We’ll be tuning in and hope you will too!

keep looking »