Foods of Hawai A Unique Food Guide ($20). Photo by Anthony Cons
Looking for the perfect gift for an island-hopping pal, or maybe for relatives who visit frequently but have run out of tourist attractions? Or perhaps you’re the parent or grandparent of a curious keiki or two, looking for things to do over the holiday break? Check out Foods of Hawaii: A Unique Food Guide For Hawaii-Crafted Products, Gifts, Tours, and More ($20).
This handy and fascinating book was created by the Hawaii Food Manufacturers Association just in time for the season. “Many of us have our own retail stores attached to our factories,” explains Susan Morita, executive chocolate taster for Menehune Mac Candies, an HFMA member company. “A lot of people don’t know that some of us have stores, even tours of our factories and farms!”
The book is packed with information about each company, including its physical location, website, products, and factory tour info as available. There are also plenty of interesting facts, like these:
• Aloha Tofu Factory is the only tofu factory in the world that uses nigari from 2,000 feet deep in the ocean.
Menehune Mac president Neal Arakaki displays some of the company’s goodies.
• Big Island Bees is owned by a fourth-generation beekeeping family that began its apiary in 1971 with just a few hives. It now has 2,500 hives and more than 125 million bees.
• Menehune Mac Candies doesn’t just offer in-depth factory tours. Guests can also enjoy something called a Chocolate Making Experience!
Priced at $20, the handsome spiral-bound book is available on Oahu at Menehune Mac, Hawaiian Chip Co., Lion Coffee and Hawaiian Pie Co.; and also at Maui Pineapple on Maui, Kauai Cookie on Kauai and Kona Chips on Hawaii Island.
It’s a terrific resource for locals, especially those of us who love to support island businesses, and “staycationers.”
“Sometimes you go to the neighbor islands and say, ‘Oh, what am I going to do?'” says Morita. “If you don’t want to do the touristy things, this book is for you!”
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