Big Island Vacation Guide 2008 - (Page 43) LE FT TO FROM EARTH TO PLATE RI GH T: HA LA ining on the Big Island is where Hawai‘i’s ethnic and cultural diversity really comes into play. Starting with the Polynesians and flavored by an endless march of immigrants from Japan, China, the Philippines, Korea, the U.S. Mainland and Europe, Hawai‘i’s favorite foods are a carnival of compound tastes that are exciting and delicious. D (P AN DA NU S). JO HN DE ME LLO . CO UPLE . COU RTESY OF PRIN CE RE SORT S HAW AI‘I. F RUIT S. L IND AC HIN G. K ON AC OF FE E CH . ER ED KA IR .K ES RI ER This heritage put Hawai‘i at the forefront of the “local ingredients” culinary scene of the late 80s and 90s. Then, the islands’ top chefs came together to define the modern style known as Hawai‘i Regional Cuisine. The idea was to search out fresh, local ingredients that had long been staples in ethnic recipes and combine them in beautiful and delicious ways. Be sure to try our Hawai‘i Regional Cuisine dishes, built around such exceptional fish like ‘ahi, mahimahi, ono, ‘opakapaka and opah. You’re sure to find ¯ a favorite. Let’s not forget the ambience. Hawai‘i’s Big Island provides a beautiful backdrop for its exciting cuisine. Whether a waterside table, one-of-a-kind volcano view or cozy candle lit corner for two, Hawai‘i’s restaurants will please all your senses. Plan to attend an authentic lu ‘au (Ha¯ waiian feast). More than just a meal of Hawaiian fare such as ka lua pig roasted ¯ in the imu (underground pit), poi, sweet potatoes, lomilomi salmon and haupia (coconut pudding), a lu ‘au includes music, ¯ song and hula. There are a half dozen or so excellent lu‘au staged at various loca¯ tions on the island. On Hawai‘i’s Big Island you will run out of vacation long before you run out of restaurants and menus to sample. THE BOUNTIFUL BIG ISLAND Hawai‘i’s Big Island is filled with farms, orchards and ranches. It’s a magical hothouse with nearly one million acres in production. You will experience the fresh tastes of the Big Island every time you eat because local ingredients are the mainstay of our recipes and menus. Locally grown vegetables include gourmet mushrooms, cabbages, ginger, greens, sweet corn, taro and tomatoes. Our orchards produce such tropical fare as bananas, guava, lychee, mango and papaya. You will also find unique products like vanilla, chocolate, honey and goat cheese. The ranchlands of the Big Island provide beef, dairy, pork and poultry products for the local market. In Hilo, be sure to check out the fresh, local produce at the Hilo Farmers Market, held every Wednesday and Saturday. Drive through the upcountry area surrounding Waimea and experience Hawai‘i cattle country. And let’s not forget aquaculture. Hawai‘i’s residents and visitors consume more than 60 million pounds of seafood each year. Our fresh and saltwater farming provides much of this bounty. The Big Island will feed you very well indeed. The sights and scents of the Big Island have always included beautiful and unique foliage. Today, flower farms export huge quantities of anthurium, orchids, birds of paradise and protea among many other plants and flowers. The expansive foliage crops include a variety of palms, bamboo, dracaena, bonsai and ti that are shipped throughout the country. The island of Hawai‘i is home to the best-tasting brew in the world. South Kona is the heart of Kona Coffee. Ka‘u, south of ¯ Kona, is another area prized for its smooth tasting coffee. You’ll also find gourmet coffee from farms along the Hamakua Coast ¯¯ and in Puna. One hundred years ago, the large coffee plantations were split up into three to five acre parcels that ended up in the hands of small farmers. Today, dozens of farms are tucked into the hillsides south of Kailua-Kona, many of them in the same family for five generations. Joining the growers are mills and roasters, museums, coffee shops and retail outlets so you can fully enjoy the Big Island coffee experience here and then take home some hard-tofind private estate grown beans. Macadamia nuts are another famous Big Island product. Mac nuts are an orchard crop and, like coffee, they too are processed right here on the Big Island. You can tour an orchard as well as the processing plant to see how they crack open the shells of the world’s hardest nut. Be sure to try the macadamia nut pancakes or macadamia nut chocolate haupia pie at a local restaurant. Many of these ranches, farms and orchards welcome guests and offer tours with on-site gift shops. Hawaii AgVentures, a program of the Big Island Farm Bureau, combines the people, foods and farms of the Big Island into experiences of diverse cultures, extraordinary produce and natural beauty. Hawaii AgVentures works to coordinate your interests with our participating growers and processors, providing a full range of visits. For more information about their unique tours, call (800) 660-6011 or visit www.hawaiiagventures.com. BY THE SEA On The Beautiful Kona Coast 77-6452 Ali‘i Drive, Kona, HI ph. 808-329-3195 Relax in our beautiful ocean side atmosphere and enjoy delicious recipes featuring freshly prepared seafood direct from Hawaiian waters. Lunch Served Monday-Friday 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m Generous lunch menu includes daily fresh fish specials Dinner Served nightly 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Over twenty-four dinner selections and nightly specials. 800-648-2441 43 BACKGROUND: LINDA CHING http://www.hawaiiagventures.com
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