Hawaii Vacation Gifts by Double Brush-Hawaiian Gifts & Blog

Hawaiian Fresh Pineapple Pie Dessert Recipe

This is a great fresh pineapple pie recipe. Not including the pineapple, you probably have all of the basic ingredients in your kitchen. You could substitute with canned pineapple but it doesn't quite taste the same. If you do not have fresh pineapple in your area, we can easily send you some, click here to order Hawaiian fresh pineapples.

Hawaiian Fresh Pineapple Pie Dessert Recipe

2 Pastry Crust for 9" Pie (frozen and thawed, or freshly made)
1/2 Cup Sugar
1/3 Cup flour
3 Eggs
2 Cups fresh shredded Hawaiian pineapples, drained
1 teaspoon Cinnamon (optional)
2 Tablespoons Butter

Prepare pastry for one double crust 9 inch pie. Blend sugar and flour together. Beat eggs slightly, and combine with sugar and flour mixture. Add shredded pineapples and cinnamon, stir well and pour into unbaked pie shell. Dot with butter, cover with top crust and crimp all around. Prick top crust to let the steam out when baking.

Bake at 450 degrees for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake for additional 35 minutes or until crust is brown.

Extreme Home Makeover Builds Home For Hawaii Couple Earning Over $225,000 Annually

If you plan on watching the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition's fifth-season premiere in Hawaii along with 17 million other television viewers, you may see the show in a different light after reading about the controversy surrounding this event. (The premiere of the Extreme Home Makeover show in Hawaii airs on Sunday, September 30 on ABC.)

I had blogged earlier about Momi Akana and her non-profit organization Keiki O Ka Aina which she founded a decade ago to help single mothers raise their children, while being a single mother herself. Momi Akana has since assisted thousands of people in Hawaii with building stronger families through family education and activities. There is no doubt that she is a deserving person who has worked selfless long hours for years, but now that she is doing extremely well financially and could afford to build her own house, is it right for her to accept a free house when there are many other families who do lots of good for the community but cannot afford to build a home for themselves?

“Extreme Makeover” home built on land purchased with state grant to a nonprofit agency

Akana founded Keiki O Ka 'Aina Family Preschool Inc. in 1996 and serves as its executive director, having received $97,018 in salary and an additional $5,931 in benefit and expenses during the fiscal year ending in September 2005, according to the organization's most recent tax filing, The Honolulu Advertiser reported Monday. In addition, Akana -- whose husband Ben Akana is also believed to earn an additional low six-figure salary due to his senior vice president position a local bank -- also reportedly received $22,000 in annual rent from Keiki O Ka 'Aina for the use of the top floor of her old home.
Ian Lind

I would encourage you to read Mr. Lind's very insightful and informative post and the comments it received.

However despite the fact that the family appears to have an annual household income of over $200,000, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition presented the local public with a very different picture when it arrived in Hawaii to build a new 3,500 square-foot home for the Akanas and their four children as well as a 4,500 square-foot community center for Keiki O Ka 'Aina.

"Momi and her three children attempted to make their own improvements to their home, they never had the money or the expertise to complete anything properly, so the house is a series of unfinished construction projects," the show stated in a June 6 news release intended to publicize the show's activities, according to The Advertiser. "As a nonprofit, there is no money to fix the damage done to Momi's home or to fix the structures that now house Keiki O Ka 'Aina."

But although a justification of the family's "neediness" certainly seemed to one of the news release's primary goals, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition's production company, the non-profit organization, and the local home builder that oversaw the project disagree the idea that need determined the the Akanas' selection.

"This show is based on the decade of service that Momi has done for our community," Keiki O Ka 'Aina spokeswoman Kanoe Naone told The Advertiser about the project. "I'm positive that this show is not based on need."
RealityTVWorld.com

Last Sunday (September 23, 2007) the Honolulu Advertiser published an article titled: Hawaii 'Makeover' home under legal cloud.

Earlier this summer, the attorney general's tax division began asking questions about the lease arrangement between Akana and the nonprofit Keiki O Ka 'Aina Preschool Inc., which owns the land beneath Akana's new home. Keiki O Ka 'Aina spokeswoman Kanoe Naone said the organization provided the information sought by the state and that Akana, who is Keiki O Ka 'Aina's executive director, met with the attorney general's office to answer any questions. "We provided them with the (materials) ... they were seeking to their satisfaction," Naone said. Sources familiar with the situation, however, say the attorney general's inquiries are still pending.

You can read the complete article from the Honolulu Advertiser now for free, after 1-2 months? the link will go to an error page. If you want to read it later, you will have to request it and pay for it. (That is why I was not able to link the previous Honolulu Advertiser articles mentioned in the above quotes.) Hawaii 'Makeover' home under legal cloud.

On the popular site Topix under the entertainment category there are over 100 comments re: the Honolulu Advertiser's Hawaii 'Makeover' home under legal cloud article. There are many strong opinions from people who agree and disagree on the choice of Momi Akana being selected to receive a new house from the Extreme Home Makeover Show.

Please share your thoughts on the situation via a comment.

Move This 2 1/2-ton Stone, and Rule Hawaii

For generations the large rectangular 2 1/2-ton monolithic lava rock known as the Naha Stone lay forgotten and covered with weeds in a backyard in Hilo, Hawaii. Over half a century ago there was a revival in ancient Hawaiian relics; the Naha stone was found and given a new resting place in front of the Hilo Library on the Big Island of Hawaii, where it remains till today. The Pinao stone, the smaller stone standing upright next to it, once guarded an ancient Hawaiian Heiau or temple.

The Hawaiian prophecy or legend of the Naha Stone stated that the person who moved the Naha stone with his bare hands would unite and be ruler of all the Hawaiian Islands. One man did accomplish this feat, and his name was King Kamehameha the Great.

PROPHETESS PROPHECIES

And even as he spake these words, they who stood by were stricken with fear, for his face flushed red as with blood, and fire appeared to flash from his eyes, so that the fear spread even among the high chiefs who gazed upon him.

Then Kamehameha prepared himself for the ordeal, examining his hands and the stone that he might see how best to accomplish his purpose. And Kalaniwahine, taking hold of his hands, spake encouraging words unto him and said unto him:

"If indeed the Naha Stone shall be this day moved by thee, then shall the whole group of islands, from Hawaii to Kauai be moved, but if indeed it shall be moved and turned from its resting place, then shall all dissensions be removed, and thou and thy people and thy prophetess shall live and shall dwell henceforth in peace forever. For this is the prophecy of the Naha Stone, O Prince, so get thee to thy great task."

And now, as the people and all assembled, watched Kamehameha closely, he placed his hands under the stone and began to move them so that he might better take hold. Which being done, he cried these words:
"Naha Stone art thou:
And by Naha Prince only may thy, sacredness be broken.
Now behold, I am Kamehameha, a Niu-pio
A spreading mist of the forest."

Then gripped he the stone and leaned over it, and as he leaned, great strength came into him and he struggled yet more fiercely, so that the blood burst from his eyes and from the tips of his fingers, and the earth trembled with the might of his struggling, so that they who stood by believed that an earthquake came to his assistance.

THE STONE IS TURNED

And he put forth all his strength. and, behold, the stone did move under his arms, and he raised it on its side and with supernatural strength did over turn it, so that all who stood by were amazed and dumb with awe.

HAWAII NATURE NOTES, THE PUBLICATION OF THE NATURALIST DIVISION, HAWAII NATIONAL PARK AND THE HAWAII NATURAL HISTORY ASSOCIATION VOL. IV FEBRUARY 1952 No. 3

Learn more about Kamehameha I, also known as Kamehameha the Great (c. 1758 – 1819)

You can stand in awe in front of the actual Naha Stone for yourself. Be respectful of this revered pohaku (Hawaiian word for rock or stone) and what it means to the Hawaiian people by not sitting or standing on it. If you have small children, do not let them climb on it or play on it. Many times you can still find fresh offerings of lei and smaller rocks wrapped in ti leaf which are called ho'okupu (gift or offering) decorating the Naha Stone.

The Hilo Public Library is located at 300 Waianuenue Avenue between Ululani and Kapiolani Street. There is no parking allowed in front of the library, but you can park in their free parking lot located on the side of the library building. Click here for map directions.

If you enjoyed reading this post, please spread the word about our Hawaii Blog. Mahalo (thank you)!

Photograph courtesy of And Hawaii.

New Hawaii Prize Package from Go Visit Hawaii

Sheila from Go Visit Hawaii has done it again! She has put together a fabulous new Hawaii prize package that anyone can have a chance of winning, just by subscribing to her informative Hawaii travel blog. This unique Hawaiian prize package includes the popular "Facing Future" CD by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, affectionately known as Bruddah Iz, a book about Hawaii for visitors to the Hawaiian islands with a mini surfboard bookmark, a scenic 2008 calendar, leis, Aloha shirt note pad and...

She even has included one of our pineapple scented soy candle's that she picked up while vacationing on the island of Lanai recently. Mahalo Sheila!

Visit Go Visit Hawaii for complete details about this Hawaii contest to win her custom Hawaii prize package give away.

Win an All Expense Paid Vacation For Two to Maui

Note: See our new Hawaii Sweepstakes Blog Category for all posts on winning a free trip to Hawaii!

If you like entering Hawaii drawings, Hawaii sweepstakes, or Hawaii contests offering a free trip to Hawaii in the hopes of winning a Hawaii dream vacation--we found another Hawaii contest for you to enter.

Win an all expense paid vacation to the island of Maui, Hawaii by entering the Sportsman's Guide Sweepstakes by October 31, 2007. We say all expense paid because in addition to the Maui vacation, they give you a $25,000.00 cash prize!

FINAL GRAND PRIZE PACKAGE:

(1) Grand Prize of $25,000 Cash and one (1) Trip for Two, to Maui, Hawaii. Grand Prize Trip consists of round trip coach class air transportation for winner and one (1) guest from the major commercial airport near the winner's residence to Maui, Hawaii. This trip includes 7days/6 nights on Maui's Kaanapali region (approximate retail value $30,193).

Enter the Hawaii Sweepstakes for Two to Maui.

Read the Official Hawaii Sweepstakes Rules,

See our other post "Win a free trip to Hawaii sweepstakes drawing contest" sponsored by Hilo Hattie. Entry deadline is December 31, 2007.

It Was the Best Gift I Have Ever Received

We really enjoy being able to share the thank you letters and notes we receive from our customers. It makes us feel really good knowing that in our little way, we can help bring joy to someone else's life. You can find our handmade in Hawaii gifts at Big Island Hawaiian Gifts, Gift Baskets, Candles, and Soap.

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Just wanted to let you know that I received the postcards last Thursday. The second set of cards was quite a surprise; please know that my daughters adore the cards. They did not put them down all weekend and finally decided that each would use one as a hand puppet (they take turns with it) and save all the others as keepsakes just as they are. Both girls love all they read about Hawaii and I hope in several years to save enough to fly them for a few days vacation there; we live on the east coast of the country. These are the first Hawaii items they have ever gotten and are precious to them. I also told them it was direct from the artist in Hawaii which has increased how precious the cards are to them (I didn't think that could happen!)

Thanks again for your help. I have bookmarked your website and later in the year will order a few other things for their birthday and Christmas...

Take care and thanks again (you brought a smile to 2 young girl's faces)

Kevin

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Hello. I'm Jeff's wife and the gift basket was a present for me. I loved it! He chose your site because I've been almost obsessed with Hawaii since I accompanied him on a business trip 2 years ago. It became my most favorite place in the world. Everything was just beautiful and everybody I met was friendly and warm. I'm fortunate enough to be able to come again in a couple of months so this gift basket was a way to "hold me over" until I get back there.

Again, I loved the chocolate nuts, coffee, and I have the green candle displayed in my kitchen and bumper sticker on my refrigerator. They make me smile whenever I look at them.

Thank you, and I wouldn't be surprised if Jeff orders again from you--it was my best present ever.

P.S.
I especially loved the gift because of the handwritten note you included inside. It's rare to encounter personalized service like that these days.

Sincerely,

Tara Giesecke

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I received my birthday gift today from my husband. I have to say that it was the best gift I have ever received. I love the islands of Hawaii and yearn to get there as often as I can.

Mahalo,
Shelly

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I had ordered from you before and ran out of product. Received many compliments re: the solid perfumes. Thank you so much!

Tina B.

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Read more testimonies from our customer-friends.

Wild Pigs Get Stoned in Pig Feud in Hawaii

Did you know wild pigs get stoned in Hawaii?--and I don't mean that people throw rocks at them--wild pigs or feral pigs have been known to eat marijuana growing on the land. Maggie Kline from the east side of the Big Island in the rural subdivision of Fern Forest said the wild boars have devoured her medical marijuana, or as the Hawaiians call it "pakalolo" meaning crazy weed. She blames the increased influx of wild swine to the elderly neighbor couple that have been regularly feeding 100 or so of these wild feral pigs.

Retired and in his eighties, Sueo and Sharene Matsumoto live on their 12 acre lot densely forested with native Ohia trees. They first started to feed pigs when a few baby pigs they had seen with their sow mother showed up without her--their mother had been shot and killed, Sueo heard the shots.

Mr. Matsumoto said that humans are the most advanced creatures on earth, so they have a duty to care for animals. He puts his money where his mouth is and spends $600.00 a month for bags of pig food for these feral pigs, a cross between the domesticated Polynesian pig and the mean looking black, tusked, lean wild Eurasian boar.

A pig feud has erupted between the Matsumoto family and the majority of their surrounding neighbors.
The growing number of pigs are wandering into other neighbor yards and property and causing all kinds of havoc. From tearing up gardens, chewing on water pipes, making pig wallows, and leaving their poop all over--the neighbors have had enough.

The state and county have looked into the problem: the State Health Department said no health hazards were found in the Matsumoto's home they inspected, the Department of Land and Natural Resources said the state does not recommend feeding wild animals but has no authority on private land, and the Hawaii County Planning Department said no zoning laws are being broken as the wild pigs are not confined or being eaten so the property does not qualify as a pig farm.

What the county has done is approve $250,000.00 for the U.S. Department of Agriculture agents to trap and shoot wild boars on private property at the request of the owner. This is not an eradication program but a program to control wild pigs in residential areas.

Read Pig Feud on the Big Island for more details.

What is missing from the above argument is that the wild pigs are destroying the native Hawaiian forest and leading Hawaii's native bird population into extinction.

Pristine Hawaiian rain forests had little in the way of sites for Culex mosquitoes to breed. Culex is a tropical mosquito and evolved with mankind as a “cup” breeder, that is, it needs still, warm, nutrient-rich, small “cups” or puddles to breed in. The pristine forests in Hawai‘i had very few of these. Culex can't breed in running streams or ponds or any clean clear water. Pigs create lots of breeding sites in creating their wallows and especially when they hollow or “trough” hapu‘u, which fill with rain water, thus creating hundreds of breeding sites per acre. Pig fecal matter fouls the wallows, creating perfect Culex breeding sites. These many breeding sites have allowed these mosquitoes to adapt to higher and higher elevations, carrying the malaria and pox with them. Also, when the pigs dig for worms and roots, they cause erosion where rainfall is heavy, causing the siltation of streams and eventually siltation of the reefs. So, not only are they destroying the forest but also stream ecosystems and Hawai‘i’s reef ecosystems. Hawai‘i’s natural environment would be healthier without feral pigs.

From Rare Hawaii

Read our related post Wild Pigs on the Big Island for information on what attracts or repel wild pigs to your property.

Kona Coffee Jello Dessert Recipe

This recipe calls for instant coffee. To make it taste truly spectacular, start by using pure 100 percent premium kona instant coffee (available online).

Kona Coffee Jello Dessert Recipe

5 pkg. unflavored gelatin
1 cup water
3 1/2 cups hot water
4 teaspoons Kona instant coffee
1 can (14 ounces) Borden's Condensed Milk

Dissolve gelatin with 1 cup of water. In a separate bowl, combine the hot water and instant coffee, and then add the gelatin mixture stirring well. Add the condensed milk, and mix all ingredients thoroughly.

Pour into a well oiled (PAM spray recommended) 8" X 8" pan and chill in the refrigerator till firm. Cut into 2" X 2" square pieces. Makes 16 pieces.

100 Percent Pure Kona Instant Coffee Now Available!

Our 100 percent pure Kona instant coffee (freeze dried) is finally available again!! We have been waiting patiently since last Christmas when we sold out of the instant Kona coffee and the manufacturer had stopped selling it. There was none to be found online or off. We had a few customers waiting for us to locate another supplier because they said the 100 percent pure instant Kona coffee was the best instant coffee they had ever tasted! We shipped their orders out a couple of weeks ago and you can see what they said about the new Kona instant coffee in our "Testimonial Tuesday" feature.

When people hear the word "instant coffee" most immediately think "Yuck." However you don't have to sacrifice flavor for convenience if you start with using only premium Kona coffee beans. Our Pure Kona instant coffee is highly aromatic with a smooth flavor. Do not buy a Kona coffee blend with 10 percent Kona beans and 90 percent mystery beans, it is not the same, they are just using the reputation of Kona coffee to sell an inferior blended product.

The beverage known as instant coffee is made from brewed coffee beans that are dehydrated into granules or powder. If kept dry is has a superior shelf life to natural coffee, ground coffee is especially susceptible to flavor loss due to the coffee essential oils evaporating over time.

The best site for everything you ever wanted to know about Instant Coffee can be found at Wikipedia.

The Largest Outdoor Mall in the World is in Hawaii

If you are local or have visited the island of Oahu in Hawaii, you can probably guess the name of the largest outdoor mall in the world. If you said Ala Moana Shopping Center in Honolulu, you guessed correctly. The largest outdoor mall in the world is soon to be even larger with a new wing expansion opening next spring.

Ala Moana Shopping Center's tenants new to Hawaii for the first time will be the Nordstrom Department Store, J. Crew, Chico's, Home Furnishing Store, Design Within Reach, and Bare Escentuals. Two dozen other stores--as yet to be named--will also fill the new wing.

When Ala Moana's expansion is finished, the mall will boast of 290 stores, 70 restaurants, and 10,000 parking stalls!

For more details read Ala Moana Stores Announced for New Wing.

Farmers Markets on the Big Island of Hawaii Directory Guide

Whether you live on the Big Island of Hawaii or are just visiting, drop by one of the many outdoor farmers' markets or open markets as they are also known. It is a great way to buy delicious fresh fruits and vegetables grown on the island, and a chance to mingle with the local folks.

You can find fresh island grown produce such as bananas, papayas, avocados, green beans, and tomatoes that you may already be familiar with, but also cherimoya, rambutan and jaboticaba fruits. Exotic vegetables may include warabi (edible fern shoots with fiddleheads) and bitter melon.

Tropical flowers are always in abundant supply: anthuriums, orchids, heliconias, gingers, protea, and sometimes even roses in season.

Besides fresh food and flowers, some open markets have people selling take out bento lunches, tamales, sushi, and other homemade snacks. You can also find many handmade gifts of jellies, jams, baked goods, and all sorts of crafts and clothing. Some booths or tables sell imported things, but many others sell things actually made by the person manning the booth, so it gives you the chance to meet and talk to the artist or craftsperson.

This Big Island Farmers' Market Directory Guide
begins in Hilo and travel north till it makes a circle island tour.

Hilo
Hilo Farmers Market
Corner of Kamehameha Avenue & Mamo Street, Downtown Hilo
Wednesday & Saturday, 7:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Phone: (808) 933-1000

Kino'ole Farmers Market
1990 Kino'ole St., Hilo
Saturday to Monday--through December 31, 2007

Panaewa Hawaiian Home Lands Farmers Market
Puainako & Ohuohu Streets, by Walmart in Hilo
Daily, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Rainbow Falls Market Place
Across from Rainbow Falls, north of Hilo, HI
Monday and Thursday, 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Lapahoehoe
Laupahoehoe Market
Verifone Building, 9652 Kaumalii Hwy, Laupahoehoe
Saturday, 8:00 a.m.-12:00 noon

Honoka'a
Honoka'a Farmers Market
Near Honoka'a Trading Company
Old Botelho Bldg., Honoka'a
Saturday, 7:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Waimea
I Ka Pono Farmers Market
Parker School, at I Ka Pono Community Garden, Waimea
Saturday, 7:30 a.m.-12:00 noon

Hawaiian Homestead Farmers Market
Kuhio Hale Building, 64-759 Kahilu Road, Waimea
Saturday, 7:00 a.m.-12:00 noon

Hawi
"Under the Banyans" Farmers Market
Hawi
Saturday, 7:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Waikoloa
Waikoloa Farmers Market
Waikoloa Community Church
Saturday, 7:15 a.m.

Kona
Ali'i Garden Market Place
Ali'i Drive, 2 miles south of Kailua Pier, Kona
Wednesday-Sunday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Kailua Village Farmer's Market
Across from Hale Halawai, Kailua-Kona
Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Kona Farmers Market
Old Industrial Park, Kaiwi Square, Kona
Saturday & Sunday, 8:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Keauhou
Keauhou Farmers Market
Keauhou Shopping Center, Keauhou
Saturday, 8 a.m.-12:00 noon

Kealakekua
Kealakekua Flea Market
Haleki'i Street, Kealakekua
Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday, 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Captain Cook
Kona Pacific Farmers' Coop
82-5810 Napoopoo Rd., Captain Cook
Fridays, 8am-4pm.

New Open Farmers Market
By the Pink Donkey sign, Captain Cook
Friday

South Kona Fruit Stand
Near the old Higashi Store, 84-4770 Mamalahoa, Captain Cook
Monday-Saturday, 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

Ocean View
Ocean View Farmers Market
Pohue Plaza, Ocean View Center, Ocean View
Saturday, 7 a.m.-12:00 noon

O'Suzanna's Farmers Market
Highway 11 at Road to the Sea, Ocean View
Saturday, 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Naalehu
Ka'u Farmers Market
Naalehu Theater, Ka'u
Saturday, 8:00 a.m.-12:00 noon

Na'alehu Farmers Market
Ace Hardware Lawn, Naalehu
Wednesday, 8:00 a.m.-12:00 noon

Volcano
Volcano Farmers Market
Cooper Center, 1000 Wright Road, Volcano
Sunday, 6:30 a.m.-9:00 a.m.

Fern Forest Town Market
Fern Forest
2nd Saturday of the month from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Mountain View
Island Fruits
12 Mile marker on Highway 11, Mountain View
Monday-Friday, 10:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Saturday, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Kea'au
Kea'au Village Farmers Market
Kea'au
Daily, 7:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

We are located in Kea'au but do not sell at the farmers market.
Visit us online at Big Island Hawaiian Gifts, Flowers, Leis, Candles, and Soap.

Pahoa
Maku'u Farmers Market
Highway 130, Pahoa
Wednesday to Sunday--through Dec. 31, 2007
8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Phone: (808) 955-1441

Pahoa Farmers Market
Luquin's/Akebono Theatre Parking Lot, Pahoa
Sunday, 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Phone: (808) 965-9292

Caretakers of Our Land Farmers Market
Sacred Heart Church, Pahoa
Saturday, 7:30 a.m.-12:00 noon

This list is current to the best of our knowledge. If you have additional information to add, delete, or change a listing, please let us know via a comment. Mahalo!

*Updated on September 30, 2007

Soak in Madame Pele's Natural Hot Tub in Hawaii

On your next Hawaii vacation to the Big Island, plan on relaxing in a natural pool of warm volcanically heated water at Ahalanui Pond, also known as the hot pond in Kapoho. Located along the Puna coast, this inviting geothermal pool where the temperature tends to hover around 90 degrees, is a mixture of hot water from thermal springs and cold ocean water. Ground water is heated as it moves through magma hot rocks on its way to the ocean and then mixes with the cold water of the sea and forms a naturally heated hot tub. Give thanks to Madame Pele (Hawaiian Fire Goddess) for showing her soft side with this wonderful healing spot.

The pool's water may look dirty to you at first, but it is considered a clear brackish water. A small inlet separates the pool from the ocean. We go there when people come to visit us from off island. Last time we swam there, my girlfriend was freaked out when a little fish brushed up against her leg!

The natural Ahalanui Pond is partially man made for the beach goers convenience. A cement walkway surrounds the calm water pool and there are steps and ladders leading to the water. The elderly and children can also enjoy this pool. A lifeguard is on duty during the day.

Ahalanui Park is located in Kapoho where it is always sunny and hot. Tall coconut trees surround the pool and there is a wonderful view of the Pacific ocean. The cool and gentle ocean breezes caress your face as you float on the water releasing any stress you may have had.

Ahalanui Pond located in Ahalanui Park is free and open to the public. The park has restrooms, showers, picnic areas, and free parking. A word to the wise, park on the ocean side (where the park entrance is located) of the street. Do not park across the street because cars frequently get "ripped off" or broken into when they park there.

To get to Ahalanui Park, take Highway 130 south from Pahoa town. When it dead ends at Highway 137, turn right. The Park is located on the left, just past Mile Marker #10.

See more photographs and information on Ahalanui Pond and Ahalanui Park.

I Just Love the Smell of the Candle

This is our fourth consecutive week posting our new feature "Testimonial Tuesday", which is in addition to our regular Tuesday post. This is just some of the thank you emails we received this week at our online Hawaiian Gifts Store. Customer comments like these keep us going:)

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Thanks for the Kona instant coffee, I just got back from Las Vegas and had the package
waiting for me, The candle is just wonderful, I want to see what other
fragrances you have and how much they are so I can get them for Christmas
presents. Thanks for the lip balm, my sister who is a beach bunny will love it.
Anyway I wanted to say thanks and took a look at the blog. I'll look into
the blog later when I have more time. It is much too long.....
Nancy Higa

I will check out the website. I just love the smell of the candle. It is
really refreshing when I come home from work. I hope you have others that
will be just as great. Take care and thanks so much for the coffee.
Nancy Higa

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INSTANT KONA COFFEE ARRIVED ,SAFE AND SOUND, WITH THE CANDLE, AND THE LIP BALM...........THIS AFTERNOON.......CAN'T WAIT TO TRY IT OUT TOMORROW'S BREAKFAST.....THANKS A MILLION!!!!! NORM

CHERYL....NOT ONLY MAY YOU USE MY COMMENT BUT I DO WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT THIS MORNING I HAD 2 DELICIOUS CUPS OF KONA COFFEE ,,,,I HESITATED TO PUT THE COFFEEMATE FLAVORED CREAMER IN IT FOR FEAR IT MIGHT RUIN THE TASTE BUT IT DIDN'T!! THANKS A MILLION! NORM

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Hi Cheryl,

I received the favors and everything was great. Thank you for the gifts,
they smell wonderful. I do appreciate the excellent service that you
provided.

Thanks again!

Kelly M.

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Read more testimonies from our customer-friends.

Appear Younger to Men by Wearing Grapefruit Scented Perfume

Without doing anything drastic such as botox or cosmetic surgery, you could easily appear younger to men just by changing your perfume to one with grapefruit fragrance in it. In a study conducted a couple years ago scientist discovered that when men viewed photographs of women while smelling pink grapefruit, they took six years off of the woman's age as opposed to viewing the photograph without any fragrance.

When I heard of this grapefruit scent makes you look younger study back then, it was just in time to start my new line of natural based solid perfumes. I came up with a grapefruit perfume with a Hawaiian twist--juicy Pink Grapefruit blended with the delicate floral fragrance of Pikake(Jasmine), a favorite flower in Hawaii.

If you don't know what solid perfume or perfume glace is, it is perfume in a solid base instead of alcohol (as in cologne) which is very drying for your skin and can cause irritation, burning, and itching. Our natural solid perfume is made from high quality fragrance oils and essential oils blended into an organic base of sweet almond oil, kukui nut oil, pure beeswax, and vitamin E. Our solid perfume is mild, moisturizing, and contains naturally occuring vitamins and minerals that is good for your skin. Read the ingredient labels before buying any perfume product. Many solid perfumes use a cheap greasy un-natural vasaline (petro chemical) base.

Our Hawaiian solid perfumes are handmade in small batches to insure a high quality of product, at our rainforest art studio on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Besides Pikake-Grapefruit fragrance perfume, we offer Plumeria fragrance perfume, Island Mango fragrance perfume, and Gardenia fragrance perfume.

Find the Best Last Minute Travel Deals

If you want to or need to travel soon, check out the last minute travel deals at Smarter Travel. You can find a wealth of information on last minute travel deals for airfares, hotels, car rentals, vacation packages, and cruises. The Smarter Travel staff posts up to the date deals such as the new Aloha Airlines Hawaii fares from $159.00 one way, with a review on the pros and cons of the offer.

It is a dense site with numerous ways to search out travel information and travel deals. You can see deals at a glance, compare prices, read travel guides, news and advice, check out specialty travel for seniors, students, frequent flyers, weekend getaways, and much, much, mucho much more.

Maile Lei--The Most Rare and Special Hawaiian Lei

The most rare and special lei from Hawaii is not one made of flowers but of leaves. It is called a Maile (pronounced my-lee) lei and is made from the fragrant leaves and bark of the indigenous Maile vine that only grows in the rainforests of Hawaii. What makes Maile so unique and unforgettable is its intoxicating fragrance that is clean, fresh, woodsy, vanilla, sweet, and spicy all at the same time. Once you smell true Hawaiian Maile, you want to smell that scent all the time. It is one of my most favorite fragrances but I have never been able to find a company that makes a true nice smelling Maile--so far nothing can beat the real thing.

Maile leis are the perfect leis for all occasions. Maile leis are traditionally worn at weddings (usually by the groom and men in the bridal party), graduations, birthdays, award banquets, anniversaries and all other special occasions. Maile is also a suitable "open ended" lei to give to a pregnant woman because in Hawaiian cultural it is bad luck to give a closed lei to a pregnant woman--it symbolizes the umbilical cord around the baby's neck.

The prestigious Maile lei is worn draped around the neck with the open ends of the lei hanging in front of you to waist level or below. Men like it for its masculine appeal and light fragrance, but it is suitable for both men and women of all ages.

CONSUMER ALERT:
Because of the high demand for Maile, some online companies sell Maile leis with NO scent. How is that possible? It is because they are selling Maile leis that do not come from Hawaii, but come from other Pacific islands such as the Cooke islands. Be sure to ask where their Maile comes from so you can get what you are paying for.

If you want to buy Maile lei online, we can ship fresh and fragrant Hawaiian Maile leis from the Big Island to the mainland. Please order at least one week in advance as there are no commercial growers of the Maile vine, and Maile pickers have to go deep into the Hawaiian rainforest to their secret locations to carefully hand gather the Maile vines. Maile leaves from the Big Island are large, about 2-3 inches, whereas Maile leaves from the island of Kauai are much smaller, about 1-2 inches long.

After your event, you can let your Maile lei dry naturally to continually have a light fragrance in your room as a beautiful reminder of your special occasion.

If you are familiar with Maile, please describe what it smells like to you, and your favorite Maile lei memory.

TV Viewers Dream of Getting LOST in Hawaii on Vacation

When Kayak.com (notice the Kayak widget on our blog?) an online travel search web site polled nearly 600 people to think about TV shows and travel inspirations, 43.5% chose "Lost" as their number one travel destination.

A whopping 73% said they would like to tour the set of "Lost" and check out the "hatch" from the popular ABC television show. The TV show does not offer any public tours of the indoor film studio but don't let that stop you from visiting outdoor Hawaii locations where "Lost" was shot.

Sheila from Go Visit Hawaii is a big "Lost" fan. Recently, she and her husband were on Oahu exploring some of the key spots where scenes from "Lost" were filmed. She gives directions and advice for finding the survivor's camp, the submarine dock, Jin's father's fishing pier, Hurley's golf course, and more! See her post Finding "Lost" sites on Oahu.

1 out of 4 travelers said they visited a place because of a favorite television show took place there. Of the people surveyed, half said they have never taken a TV inspired trip but would like to in the future.

Where would you like to visit based on your favorite television show?

What is the Most Popular Hawaiian Fragrance?

What is the most popular Hawaiian fragrance? From exotic flowery scents such as Gardenia, Pikake (Jasmine), and Plumeria, to woodsy Sandalwood, and tropical fruits like Mango, Pineapple, and Coconut--there are so many wonderful fragrances to choose from.

However, from years of selling our handmade Hawaiian products, we can say without a doubt that the Plumeria flower fragrance is the most popular. We offer Plumeria candles, Plumeria soaps, and Plumeria perfume glace. Whether it is from people buying our products in Hawaii stores that we wholesale to, or customers buying directly from us through our retail website, Plumeria (or Frangipani as it is known in some parts of the world) has always been our best selling Hawaiian fragrance. Customers also tell us that Plumeria is their favorite fragrance.

Our most popular candle used for Hawaiian wedding favors and Hawaiian party favors or luau favors is the plumeria scented soy candle wrapped in handmade mango and banana fiber paper, that is stamped and embossed with an elegant plumeria flower design.

Plumeria or otherwise, what is your favorite Hawaiian fragrance?

Destination Weddings and Familymoons to Hawaii

Having a destination wedding and or familymoon to Hawaii is a modern concept that is becoming increasingly popular.

Numerous daily flights around the country have made it convenient to travel; so many couples are opting for more exotic locations than what their immediate area can offer.

With a destination wedding, you invite your family and guests to share a romantic location which most times is also your honeymoon location. Your location can be anywhere you like--did I just hear the word "Maui"? (Maui is the number one destination for Hawaii honeymooners.)

Typically your guests and family will fly out for a week or weekend to attend your wedding ceremony and reception. If they stay while you are on your honeymoon, it becomes a familymoon. A familymoon is also when the bride and groom bring their children from previous marriages to their honeymoon. Many couples reason that they do not want their children to feel excluded and want to start their marriage together as a new family.

Destination wedding are personal and usually smaller in number since many of the guests pay their own airfare and accommodations. Bridal couples like limiting their special event to close family and friends as it gives them quality time to truly celebrate together.

Another great plus is that a destination wedding can cost less than a large traditional wedding, and with far less planning! Many Hawaii resorts offer package deals for your ceremony, reception, and honeymoon, complete with your own personal wedding coordinator. If you are expecting a large guest count, check with your hotel and airline carrier for group discounts.

Our company Double Brush has over a decade of experience assisting bridal couples with their Hawaiian wedding favors, Hawaiian wedding gifts, Hawaiian flowers and leis, and Hawaiian gift baskets. We have shipped these items directly to the wedding coordinator at resorts on Maui, Oahu, Kauai, the Big Island and the mainland (also to people's homes and condos). Many brides have thanked us as it saves them time and worry when everything is there and ready at their wedding destination.

Please feel free to contact us for more information; we would be happy to assist you in any way possible.

Each Candle is Precious & Unique Work of Art

This is our third consecutive week posting our new feature "Testimonial Tuesday", which is in addition to our regular Tuesday post. We receive a lot of fan mail at our Hawaiian Gifts company, so I don't see this new feature ending any time soon!

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Our wedding and reception was absolutely perfect and we are extremely grateful to you for all of your detailed work on our candle wedding favors. The candles are not only beautiful, but are also such high quality candles. Thank you for customizing my order and for putting your heart and soul into it. Your efforts truely reflected on and contributed to the fabulous wedding day we will never forget. Our mothers thank you too as they were so proud to see their friends and family admiring and asking about your beautiful candle favors. We will always appreciate you for treating each candle sent to us as a precious and unique work of art.

Take care of yourself and don't work too hard!

Leonie Lam

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Thanks again Cheryl. Looks like he received it at 3:00 and he just called and absolutely adores the gift. Thank you so much for making this such a easy and pleasurable experience. I will recommend you to others and visit again.

Carolyn Ladolcetta

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Mahalo Cheryl for the wonderful votives! They arrived in the Boston area as
perfect as can be! I love them and mahalo for the extra candle and kauai info.
These will look perfect on the table.

Aloha,
Jannell

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I just wanted to let you know how happy we are with the candles! They came out soo good! We love them!!!

Thank you for all your help.

Jessica Massey

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Read more testimonies from our customer-friends.

Bed and Breakfast Locator for Hawaii and the World

If you find hotels and resorts can be a bit impersonal or too large, maybe a bed and breakfast or b & b place would be more to your liking. However, many of these establishments are small and run by the owner, so finding one could prove to be more difficult.

Bed and Breakfast has come to the rescue! This site is a wonderful resource for finding and researching bed and breakfast places in countries across the globe! Each place is presented with extensive information covering the type of establishment, property details, and room rates. There are also maps, photos, contact info and website links.

BedandBreakfast.com is a comprehensive worldwide listing of bed and breakfasts, B&B homestays, country inns, urban bed and breakfasts, guest houses, lodges, cabins, historic hotels, small resorts, guest ranches, farmhouse accommodations, and working farm and ranch vacations. B&B database searches allow you to find the ideal bed and breakfast inn, whether you are looking by location, amenities, online bookings, recipes, special packages, last-minute availability, or BedandBreakfast.com gift certificate acceptance.

I checked the Hawaii bed and breakfast listings and there were quite a few for Oahu, Hawaii island, Maui and Kauai. However when I checked their Lanai and Molokai bed and breakfast listings, they were all for b and b's on the island of Maui!

How to Make an Impressive Hawaiian Pineapple Boat

Ever wondered how to make those impressive Hawaiian pineapple boats seen at fancy restaurants and Hawaiian luaus? You know, the kind where the pineapple is cut in half with the crown still attached, and the pineapple fruit is scooped out so you are only left with a shell or dish filled with something yummy.

It really is not that hard to do once you see how easily it is done. Check out the best step by step directions with photographs to make a pineapple boat. These directions are better and easier than the one described in my cookbook!

Your pineapple boat can be the stunning center piece on your table. Fill it with fruit salad, dressing, cubes of cheese with toothpicks--whatever your heart desires!

If fresh pineapples are not available in your area on the mainland, we will be more than happy to ship fresh Hawaiian pineapples from Hawaii direct to your doorstep!

Would you mind Madame Pele for a neighbor in Hawaii?

Last night my husband turned off all of the lights in the house and took me upstairs with the flashlight. He then turned off the flashlight once we got to the bedroom, and it got pitch dark. We live in the middle of a Hawaiian rainforest and there are no street lights or big city light pollution so it gets very dark--unless the moon is out. He then directed my gaze out of the window and told me to let my eyes adjust to the dark then tell him what I saw.

What I saw was a pinkish, yellowish, orange spot glowing off in the distance between the outline of the ohia trees. It was the glow from the newest lava flow at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, courtesy of Madame Pele, the Hawaiian Fire Goddess who makes her home in the Kilauea Volcano.

Residents of the Puna district on the Big Island are watching this new flow cautiously. Right now it is a slow moving a'a flow traveling over previous lava flows and poses no threat to human activity. It could continue like this, stop flowing altogether, or turn into something much more dangerous to the surrounding communities.

If a lava tube starts to form, a fast moving pahoehoe flow would result meaning the lava could remain hotter and travel faster in the tube and further away from the eruption site.

The current direction of this flow is moving northeast towards the town of Pahoa, less than 5 miles away from us. Read more about Predicting Pele's Path, and Lava Flow Path Sparks Concern.

We respect Madame Pele and realize that we are just caretakers of this aina, the Hawaiian word for land, but we still hope and pray that she remains a good neighbor and stays on her side of the property line--namely in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park!

Hawaiian Papaya Seed Dressing and Marinade Recipe

Get your money's worth and health worth from your fresh Hawaiian papaya fruits. After consuming the papaya fruit, don't throw the seeds away! Save the papaya seeds to make my delicious and easy recipe for Hawaiian papaya seed dressing and marinade.

Hawaiian Papaya Seed Dressing and Marinade Recipe

Seeds of 1 papaya (but you can use less, fresh or dried seeds)
1/4 cup lime juice (substitute with wine vinegar)
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup macadamia nut oil (substitute with salad oil)
1/2 tsp. dry mustard
2 tsp. dried onion flakes (optional)
sugar to taste (optional)

Using your blender, add all of the ingredients except the papaya seeds and blend thoroughly. Add papaya seeds and blend until papaya seeds are about the size of coarsely ground pepper.

You can use this as a marinade for meat or tofu. Marinate for 45 minutes.

If you do not have fresh papaya fruit in your supermarket, you can buy Hawaiian Papayas online from us. It will arrive fresh to your doorstep via UPS direct from Hawaii!

See our related post Hawaiian papaya seeds make a wonderful meat tenderizer and spice, along with directions for drying papaya seeds.

Also see our "Hawaiian Papaya" blog post category for more papaya related posts.

Win a Hawaii Vacation to the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival

For more current Hawaii contest listings, see our Hawaii Sweepstakes blog category.

You could be sipping Kona coffee in style on the Big Island if you win a Hawaii vacation to the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival in November. Gevalia Coffee is sponsoring this Hawaii dream vacation, and you can enter online at Gevalia Kona Coffee Sweepstakes.

• Enjoy round-trip 1st class air travel on Aloha Airlines from anywhere in the continental U.S.
• 7-day, 6-night accommodations at a 4-star beach resort
• Rental car for 7 days
• Free admission to the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival

One Grand Prize: A 7-Day/6-Night trip for winner and one guest to Hawaii for the Kona Cupping Competition taking place November 2-11, 2007. Winner’s guest must be 18 years of age or older, unless the winner is the parent/legal guardian of the guest. Travel includes round trip air travel from major airport nearest winner’s residence to Hawaii, hotel accommodations for six (6) nights (double occupancy), car rental (subject to car rental company restrictions), Free admission to the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival for winner and guest as Gevalia VIP guests and $2,000 for meals and spending money. Total Prize Value: $9,000. Actual value of trip prize will depend on airfare fluctuations and point of departure. Any difference between stated value and actual value will not be awarded. Trip must be taken during the dates stated above or during the 2008 Kona Coffee Festival, in November 2008. Sponsor reserves right to change dates. Winner and guest must travel on same itinerary. All travel accommodations and arrangements at Sponsor’s discretion. All travelers must execute a Release of Liability prior to ticketing. Travel is subject to availability. Certain blackout dates and restrictions apply.

Enter Now, the Kona Coffee Hawaii Vacation Sweepstakes ends on October 3, 2007.

You may also enjoy reading our post Go on a Big Island Hawaii Kona Coffee Adventure which includes a link to the "Kona Coffee Cultural Festival".

While you are in your lucky mood, don't forget to enter this other Free trip to Hawaii contest sweepstakes that ends on December 31, 2007.

The Candles Are Absolutely FANTASTIC!

This is the second installment of our new feature on our Hawaii Blog. Every Tuesday we will share some of the emails and notes that we receive from our customer friends. I think of our customers as our friends because they tell us that they enjoy the personal attention to their orders and inquiries.

These are unsolicited testimonials received by our company Big Island Hawaiian Gifts, Candles, and Soap by Double Brush.

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YES...we have received the candles and we just opened the box. They
are absolutely FANTASTIC! Lloyd is very, very pleased. You did a
wonderful job. Susie (Lloyd's wife) will definitely be surprised and
she will definitely love candles. Also, thank you so much for the
other extra candles, soap & cards.

We will definitely spread the word about a how great "Big Island
Hawaiian Gifts" is. Again, thank you and we look forward to ordering
more from you in the future.

Tisha

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We received the order a few days ago. Richard brought me a votive with the canoe logo on the wrapper and a plumaria scented votive. I put both in my closet sized office and now it smells great.

Thank you very much, we look forward to ordering more from you in the future.

Sharon

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Received my order today!Thank-you for the special gifts ,they are great! She will love all the items!
Everything came perfectly!!!!!!!Thank-you......We plan to honeymoon in Hawaii,maybe next June???God Bless,Aloha, Steve

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Thank you SO much! My friend Susan has received everything and loves it. I
will shop your business for future special gifts.

Mahalo for everything!

Jennifer

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Just got home, and my wonderful sushi candles were waiting for me. They are
just perfect, and I appreciate your extra packing efforts and generosity of
the fourth pair.

Now, tonight, I will finally burn the original pair!

Fondly,

Tatami zori sushi candle aficionado me

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Hi Cheryl, All three cartons have arrived. I checked all the mugs and they
are perfect. You did a fabulous job of packing - just right. Thank you so
much. Gail A.

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Read more testimonies from our customer-friends.

You Don't Have to be Hawaiian Royalty to Eat Moi

Moi or Pacific Threadfin (Polydactylus sexfilis) fish was the "fish of Kings" in Hawaii. The indigenous Moi fish was so delicious that it was reserved only for the Ali'i or Hawaiian royalty. Hawaiian fishponds were built along the coastline of the Hawaiian islands to house the highly prized Moi, so fresh Moi from the ocean would always be on hand. The penalty was death for any commoner caught poaching from any royal fishpond.

Hawaiians practiced aquaculture before the term was even invented. The Hawaiian people built rock walls that extended out from the shoreline usually near river mouths where freshwater plankton thrived -- fresh food for the moi fish. The rock walls formed an enclosure with a open area to the ocean blocked with a wooden gate (sticks lashed together) where small fish could get in, but than got too fat to get out.

After the Hawaiian monarchy came to an end in 1893, moi cultivation declined. Wild moi in the ocean still existed but not in great numbers. That history is changing as today moi is once again being cultivated -- although this time you won't risk death by eating it if you are a commoner!

There is now a Hawaiian community movement to restore the fishponds. Heeia Fishpond in Kaneohe Bay on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, is one such example. The Heeia fishpond will also be stocked with Moi.