Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
fruit in Indonesia, is the sensation
at the Hilo Farmers Market on the
Big Island. Mangosteen's elegant
purple skin and soft, white, floral-
flavored flesh (like lychee, but
more custardlike than translucent)
make this fruit a sure winner. It
joins the ranks of rambutan,
durian, sapote, sapodilla, and
other exotic Asian newcomers.
The mango is always a much-
anticipated feature of late spring
and summer. Hayden mangoes
are universally loved for their
plump, juicy flesh and brilliant
skins. Papaya lovers, take note:
Kahuku papayas —firm, fleshy,
dark orange, and so juicy they
sometimes squirt—are the ones to
watch for on menus and in mar-
kets; check out the supermarkets
and the roadside stands in Kahuku
on Oahu. Sunrise papayas from
Kapoho and Kauai are also top-
notch. White, acid-free, extra
sweet, and grown on Kauai and
the Big Island, Sugarloaf pineap-
ples are the new rage. Hilo is the
town for lychees (also known as
litchis) in summer, but Honolulu's
Chinatown markets carry them,
too. Decidedly Hawaiian are Ka'u
oranges, grown in the volcanic soil
of the southern Big Island and
available in supermarkets and
health-food stores. Don't be fooled
by their brown, ugly skin—they're
juicy, thin-skinned, and sweet as
honey.
Other Mighty Morsels: Poi bis-
cotti from the Poi Company,
available at supermarkets and
gourmet outlets such as Hawaiian
Regional Cuisine Marketplace (in
Macy's in Ala Moana, Honolulu),
is a new taste treat, the consum-
mate accompaniment to another
island phenomenon, Kona coffee.
Highly esteemed coffee growers
(all based on the Big Island, of
course), include: Bears' Coffee
( & 808/935-0708); Kona Blue
Sky Coffee ( & 877/322-1700 or
808/322-1700); Waimea Coffee
Company ( & 808/885-4472);
Bad Ass Coffee Company (mul-
tiple locations), and Holualoa
Kona Coffee Company ( & 800/
334-0348).
The buttery, chocolate-dipped
shortbread cookies of Big Island
Candies (Big Island; & 808/935-
8890 ) are worth every calorie and
every dollar. See p. 228. If you're
going through Waimea, don't miss
Cook's Discoveries (Big Island;
& 808/885-3633 ), where super-
latives never end—the best cook-
ies, preserves, vinegars, poi, and
many other marvelous taste treats,
as well as Hawaiian gift items. See
p. 173. From Kauai, Hanapepe
town's venerable Taro Ko Chips
( & 808/335-5586 for the fac-
tory) are the crunchy snack neigh-
bor islanders drive long miles to
find, then cart home in hand-car-
ried bundles. See p. 398.
5 The Best Beaches for Families
Lanikai Beach (Oahu): Too
gorgeous to be real, this stretch
along the windward coast is
one of Hawaii's postcard-perfect
beaches—a mile of golden sand as
soft as powdered sugar bordering
translucent turquoise waters. The
year-round calm waters are excel-
lent for swimming, snorkeling,
and kayaking. Completing the
picture are two tiny offshore
islands that function not only as
scenic backdrops but also as bird
sanctuaries. See p. 130.
Hapuna Beach (Big Island): This
half-mile-long crescent regularly
wins kudos in the world's top
travel magazines as the most beau-
tiful beach in Hawaii—some con-
sider it one of the most beautiful
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