Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Also bear in mind that the ancients never tasted that succulent mango or tangy pine-
apple. Hawaii's original intoxicants were plant-based Polynesian elixirs:
ʻawa
, a mild,
mouth-numbing sedative made from the roots of the kava plant, and
noni
(Indian mul-
berry), which some consider a cure-all. Both of these drinks are pungent in smell and
taste, so they're often mixed with other juices.
Learn more about local agriculture, farm tours and farmers markets at
www.hiagtourism.org
. It's not an exhaustive encyclopedia, but it's a good starting point.
Coffee: Kona & Beyond
Hawaii was the first US state to grow coffee. World-famous Kona coffee wins raves for
its mellow flavor that has no bitter aftertaste. The upland slopes of Mauna Loa and Hu-
alalai in the Big Island's Kona district offer the ideal climate (sunny mornings and after-
noon clouds with light seasonal showers) for coffee cultivation. While 100% Kona coffee
has the most cachet, recent crops from Kaʻu (the Big Island's southernmost district) have
won accolades and impressed many aficionados, as have small-farm and estate-grown
coffee from Maui, Kauaʻi and Molokaʻi.
Craft Beer, Island-Style
Once a novelty, a handful of microbreweries are now firmly established on Hawaii's
biggest main islands. Brewmasters claim that the mineral content and purity of Hawaii's
water makes for excellent-tasting beer. Another hallmark of local craft beers is the addi-
tion of a hint of tropical flavor, such as Kona coffee, honey or
lilikoʻi
.
Island microbreweries have lively brewpubs and tasting rooms, where you can try
these popular pours: Longboard Island Lager and Pipeline Porter by Kona Brewing Com-
pany, on the Big Island (
Click here
)
and Oʻahu (
Click here
)
; Coconut Porter, Big Swell
IPA and Wild Hog Stout by Maui Brewing Company (
Click here
)
; Aloha Lager and Ki-
awe Honey Porter by Honolulu's Aloha Beer Company (
Click here
)
; Belgian-style
Golden Sabbath strong ale and Paniolo Pale Ale by the Big Island Brewhaus (
Click
both made by Big Island-based Hawaiʻi Nui Brewing (
Click here
).
On Oʻahu's North Shore,
Waialua Soda Works
(
www.waialuasodaworks.com
) bottles
old-fashioned soda pop that's naturally flavored by tropical
lilikoʻi
, mango and pineapple,
as well as Hawaii-grown vanilla and sugarcane.
