Many do not know it, but Hawaii is the only state that grows coffee. It is such a luxury to buy locally grown coffee from one of the many farms on the Big Island, Kauai, or Maui. The rich volcanic soil is the ideal growing climate for local farmers to cultivate their crops and come up with new roasts, blends, and techniques for Hawaii coffee.

Three Stone Coffee from Java on the Rocks in Kona

Now, I am certainly no expert, but I have tested, sampled, and enjoyed many cups since moving to Oahu. I like coffee black, nothing added, and will occasionally add some spices like cardamom and nutmeg, for a delicious afternoon cup. Our office even has a French Press that is in constant use.

So here is a list of my 5 favorite, must try, Hawaiian grown coffee. No 10% blends on this list. Only 100% coffee.

1)      Three Stone Coffee – From Java on the Rocks. Kona, Big Island

Without question, the best cup of coffee I have ever had. If you’re in Kona, be sure to stop in and have a cup. You will not be disappointed.

2)      Mulvadi Coffee – Kona, Big Island

This is my go to coffee. I buy it from a local grocery store and cannot recommend it enough. You might have to look hard, and if staying on Oahu,

travel outside of Waikiki to get a bag, but it will be well worth it.

3)      Shims Coffee – Kula, Maui

Shims Coffee Farm - Maui Food Tour with Discover Hawaii Tours

Mr. Shims Farmis located on the slopes of Haleakala, and we stop here on our Maui Food Tour. A wonderful cup of coffee and the packaging is really neat. The logo was designed by his granddaughters!

4)      Lion Coffee – Kona, Big Island

Legendary Lion Coffee. Probably the most well-known on this list, it’s a very nice cup of coffee. This is readily available all over the island, and in most grocery stores.

5)      Kauai Coffee Co. – Kalaheo, Kauai

I found a giant bag of Kauai Coffee at Costco and was absolutely giddy. It didn’t last nearly as long as I thought it would because I couldn’t get enough.
Big Please let us know of any that you recommend and think we need to try.

Read more: Recommended Hawaii Coffee

Halloween is coming up. There are less than two weeks left until people across the globe gather to celebrate this unique holiday. If you are planning on hosting a party of your own, consider changing things up a bit with a Hawaiian themed spooky luau. Pineapple and Coconut flavored drinks and snacks are a great way to start. Get a few tiki’s and throw a lei on a skeleton or two and you got yourself a Halloween party that your guests are sure to remember for years to come. Another great way to make your plain old Halloween party a Hawaiian Halloween party is with a delicious Hawaiian Pumpkin Pie. Consider trying the following recipe:

Hawaiian Pineapple Pumpkin Pie

Pineapple Pumpkin Pie... Yum!

Filling:
-2 envelopes unflavored gelatin
-3 tablespoons cool water
-1/4 cup boiling water
-1 16-ounce can pumpkin
-1 8-ounce can crushed pineapple
-2 tablespoons sugar
-1 cup milk
-1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
-1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
-2 teaspoons vanilla

Crust:
-1 cup graham cracker crumbs
-2 tablespoons melted margarine
-2 tablespoons sugar
Directions:

Mix all of the crust ingredients together and pat into a 9-inch pie pan. Soften the gelatin in cool water for 5 minutes. Add boiling water and stir until the gelatin is completely dissolved. Put the gelatin mixture and all of the other filling ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth and frothy. Allow the mixture to stand until slightly thickened before pouring into the graham cracker crust. Pour filling into crust. Chill for at least 3 hours before serving. Makes 8 servings.

Nutritional Information (1 serving):
Calories: 172
Carbohydrates: 30 grams
Protein: 5 grams
Fat: 5 gram
Saturated fat: 1 gram
Cholesterol: trace
Fiber: 3 grams
Sodium: 138 mg
Potassium: 268 mg
Calcium: 71 mg
Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 fruit, 1 fat

As you can see, not only is this guaranteed to be one of the tastiest pies you have ever eaten, it’s also pretty healthy. So much so that it was included in the SD Diabetes Control Program Cookbook. We hope that you get a chance to sample this recipe. If you do please let us know how you like it. If you have any other Hawaiian themed recipes that you are proud of please feel free to share.

Read more: Halloween Ideas, Hawaiian Style

One way to learn about another culture is by sampling the cuisine.

Here in Hawaii, the cuisine consists of a medley of recipes and dishes from all around the world, as well as a few choice foods that have had their place in Hawaiian cooking for centuries. This blog addresses three specific staples that have existed in Hawaii’s kitchens for many, many years. They are the plate lunch, poi, and Spam Musubi.

Plate lunches can be found in pretty much every local restaurant. The most basic version consists of 2 scoops of rice, 1 scoop of simple macaroni salad (macaroni and mayonnaise), and a choice of protein for the main entrée. Loco Moco is the most popular type of plate lunch. A loco moco begins with 2 scoops of rice which are topped with a hamburger patty, fried egg, and brown gravy. Over the years, numerous variations of the classic loco moco have been derived with an easy switch of the main protein. You can find loco mocos that feature bacon, ham, spam, *Kalua pork, Portuguese sausage, teriyaki beef or chicken, mahi-mahi, shrimp, oysters, or other meats.

Loco Moco Plate Lunch

Poi is extremely popular in traditional and modern Hawaiian cuisine. Made from the stem or corm of the Taro plant, Poi is created by mashing the plant until a desired consistency is reached (consistencies range from liquid to dough like). Poi is traditionally eaten with the fingers, and oftentimes is referred to as either 2-finger or 3-finger as a description of its consistency.

Purple Poi

Spam Musubi is a low-priced snack that can be found at eateries like 7-11, grocery stores, snack stands, and movie theatre concession stands. Served either warm or cold, a musubi is composed of a block of rice with a small piece of spam overtop and wrapped in seaweed. Though not necessary, condiments can be used to offer more flavor to a musubi. Common condiments used include teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, and *furikake. The spam in a musubi can also be cooked in jelly to add flavor to the snack.

Spam Musubi

“Do as the locals do” and make sure to try these traditional Hawaiian foods on your next trip to the islands! It will without a doubt be a great experience on your vacation…and tasty too!

* Kalua refers to the method of cooking meat with an underground oven or imu

* Furikake is a Japanese condiment made from a mixture of dried and ground fish, sesame seeds, chopped seaweed, sugar, salt, and MSG

Read more: Three Choice Staples of Hawaiian Cuisine

When visiting Hawaii it is helpful to know a few words you may hear, or want to use, during your vacation. Here is a list of Hawaiian words and Pidgin words that you can easily learn and use. Please feel free to add your own in the comments section below.

Aloha from Hawaii

What is the difference between Hawaiian, English, and Pidgin?

Hawaiian and English are the official languages of the State of Hawaii. Hawaiian is a Polynesian based language that originally developed from the South Pacific, most likely Marquesan or Tahitian, as these were the first peoples to inhabit the Hawaiian islands. Pidgin is based partly in English and partly in Hawaiian. Pidgin is used by most “local” residents of Hawaii in everyday conversation. Here is a list of Hawaiian/Pidgin words that you may hear while in Hawaii:

1. Aloha – Love, affection, peace, or used as a greeting

Use “Aloha” to say ‘hello’ or ‘goodbye’. Hawaii is also nicknamed the “Aloha State” and it is common for people to refer to the “Aloha spirit” or to do something “with Aloha” – this basically means to be nice to all other people and treat them the way you would want to be treated. Some other variations of “Aloha”: “Aloha kakahiaka” = “good morning” “Aloha auinalā” = “good afternoon” “Aloha ahiahi” = “good evening” “Aloha kākou” = “welcome to all” Feel free to say Aloha to Discover Hawaii Tours

!

Aloha Tower in Honolulu, Hawaii

2. Mahalo – Thanks, gratitude, praise

It is very common to use “mahalo” in place of “thank you” with just about anyone.

3. Makai – Ocean

If you look at a map of Hawaii you will see that the islands are shaped in many different ways, so it is difficult to give directions using “North” and “South”. Often times you will hear people using the word “Makai” instead, which means ‘Ocean’.

Makai means Ocean

4. Mauka – Mountain

The opposite of “Makai” is “Mauka”, which means “mountain”, or more generally it means towards the interior of the island.

Mauka means mountain

5. Ohana – Family

The word “Ohana” refers to your actual family or blood relatives. Hawaiians will use the word “Hui” to refer to a tight knit group that is not related.

Discover Hawaii Ohana

Join the Discover Hawaii Tours Hui on Facebook!

6. Pupu – Appetizer

If you are at a restaurant and would like to see an appetizer or bar menu simply ask for a “Pupu Menu”

7. Da kine – Everything, anything, or used as a placeholder

My favorite Pidgin word is “Da Kine” because you can use it to mean anything and everything, or nothing at all, or a placeholder, or just da kine. It is similar to the English slang words “whatchamacallit”, “widget”, “so and so”, but it can mean all of those.

“Da Kine” can be used to refer to anything from a place, to a person, or even a word you just can’t remember. If you are struggling with remembering any word, just throw in “Da Kine” . Da Kine is also commonly used to mean “the best”.

Example: “I went on a really fun Oahu Tour with that da kine tour company – Discover Hawaii Tours!”

8. Brah – Brother, friend, close associate

“Brah” is a very common word, especially when you are on the North Shore, used a lot by surfers.

9. Shaka – Recognition of something good, cool, or a sign of approval

Obama Shaka

The “shaka” is used by local Hawaiians as a sign of appreciation for a favor, or when appreciating something they approve of. If you allow someone to pass in front of you while driving you will receive a shaka, be sure to recipricate.

10. Nalu – Wave

11. Honu – Sea turtle

The “Honu” are considered sacred by Hawaiian locals, and are endangered species protected by the State of Hawaii. If you see a Honu on the beach or in the Ocean you can enjoy them from a distance, but do not attempt to feed or touch them.

Honu means turtle

12. Kama’aina – State resident

The word “Kama’aina” means “state resident” such as a local Hawaiian or a person who has lived in Hawaii for a long time. On occasion, you can ask certain stores and restuarants if they have a “Kama’aina rate” which can mean a discount.

13. Ma Li Hini – Visitor

Any visitor or tourist is called a “Ma li hini” by the kama’aina In between giving great Hawaii Tours we will be adding to this list, so check back each week to learn a new Hawaiian word.

If you have some words that you think we should add to the list please put them in the comment section or send us a message on the Discover Hawaii Tours Twitter account.

Mahalo,

Alex

Read more: Hawaiian words you should know