B on Hawaii

If you've ever wished that you could immerse yourself with premiere yoga instruction from a variety of teachers from around the globe—all without without spending a fortune on travel—your wish has come true. The annual Hawai‘i Spirit Festival, which takes place on O‘ahu's North Shore from November 4–6, is a three day celebration of yoga, music, movement and Hawaiian Culture.

With the harsh news of droughts and other plights on the farmers and ranchers of Hawai‘i's Big Island, we welcome some positive news from that community. Thanks to some entrepreneurship paired with good environmental practices and dedicated farming, select Starbucks locations will carry Ka‘u-grown and harvested coffee under their special "Starbucks Reserve" program. The effort will continue through November. 

For nearly two centuries, caffeine enthusiasts have been reaping the benefits of Hawai‘i-grown (and harvested) coffee on the Big Island. Every November, the most devout followers and leaders in the Hawai‘i coffee industry share, demonstrate, taste, cook with, draw and paint their most prized coffee beans with anyone with the desire to experience them. It’s called the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival, and this year it all unfolds on November 4 – 13 in Keauhou.

For the aspiring cowgirls out there… The second annual Ohana Country Fair and All-Girl Rodeo will kick off at Kualoa Ranch on O‘ahu’s North Shore this October 1st, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission and parking are free for this family-friendly event that boasts food, crafts, ranch games like barrel racing, roping, calf mugging and so forth.

Every fall on the Kohala Coast of Hawaii’s Big Island, ranchers, cowboys (and gals), foodies and farmers walk past a few parrots, cross over a tram track, climb a staircase, pass a fleet of bronze sculptures, head over a babbling brook and descend into an expansive ballroom inside the Hilton Waikoloa Village for the annual Taste of the Hawaiian Range and Ag Festival. This year the action takes place on Friday, September 30, and you best start saving your appetite.

Recently brought to our attention was a long-time favorite, Fair Wind Big Island Ocean Guides’ receipt of two significant awards—a Small Business Administration award and a local Chamber of Commerce “Environmental Awareness” award. The ocean expedition company acknowledged these accomplishments just as they began celebrations for their 40th year in business—that is, taking eager ocean-enthusiasts to Kealakekua Bay (and elsewhere on the Kohala Coast) to experience the vibrant underwater life that persists in Hawai‘i.

With so many catch-all phrases buzzing around these days—like farm-to-table, support local agriculture and the like—it’s nice to spotlight those taking things to a whole ‘nother level. Chef and restaurateur Alan Wong has never made any overly self-congratulatory gestures regarding his steadfast use of locally-harvested produce (and proteins). His backing of the student-farming program at Ma‘o is just one example. Yet his latest game of connect-the-dots will undoubtedly land him yet again in the cross hairs of every blogger/editor who thinks they “discovered” his latest effort. And while we may be no exception, this time, Wong is elevating the mighty honey bee into the limelight.

While the name Sig Zane isn’t unknown throughout fashionable circles on O‘ahu, it isn’t every day that the residents of one isle get to deeply experience the true artistry of an entire family of talent that resides on another island. In fact, there may still be some that aren’t aware: authentic (and hand drawn) aloha attire designer Zane is married to the uber-talented kumu hula (and cultural practitioner) Nalani Kanaka‘ole. Along with son Kuha‘o—an entrepreneur and artist—the Hilo-based trio will lecture, display and talk story at an open gallery event for an entire week in Waikiki.

One of our favorite locales—statewide—is the charming Pineapple Grill at Kapalua. Chef Ryan Luckey’s food is innovative and island-harvested; managing partner Chris Kaiwi’s wine knowledge (and selection) is only topped by his style of managing an efficient and pleasant staff (his penchant for lesser-known cheese imports is also impressive) and the list goes on. Yet, like any restaurant that stands out, it’s always been the delicate balance (or dance, a friend likes to say) of all these things and more that make Pineapple Grill such a standout.
On Saturday, May 28, 2011, Pineapple Grill celebrates

There’s still time to get yourself over to the Honolulu Academy of Arts to soak up some island-made woodwork from many of the best artists in Hawai‘i. Through April 17th, dozens of artists will be displaying their work and talking to enthusiasts about the process (and whatever else you care to ask) in an open-format show that is slowly becoming an international draw.