Keep it Local (Hilo, Waimea, Pahoa: purchase, price, store)

[dianer29]

We are planning on keeping it local(Big Island) gift wise for Christmas this year and would like to know where to purchase the following items: Tea ,volcano honey,vanilla bean or extract,sea salt.............
I want my distant family to enjoy what our Big Island gives us and we can tend to forget how important it is for all of us to keep our community as independent as possible and employed. How easy it is to get on the internet each time we want to purchase something and how it really hurts us in the long run. Maholo.

[Koale]

Originally Posted by dianer29

We are planning on keeping it local(Big Island) gift wise for Christmas this year and would like to know where to purchase the following items: Tea ,volcano honey,vanilla bean or extract,sea salt.............
I want my distant family to enjoy what our Big Island gives us and we can tend to forget how important it is for all of us to keep our community as independent as possible and employed. How easy it is to get on the internet each time we want to purchase something and how it really hurts us in the long run. Maholo.

Aloha Dianer29,
You have two excellent choices that I can direct you towards on the BI.
For Vanilla Bean there is a Vanilla Farm in Waimea...perfect for 'local' stuff, they have a website. The next would be 'Rare White Hawaiian Honey' (would this be the 'volcano honey' you are referring to)?...there are only a very few farmers that extract this honey. I know my terminology for 'bee keeping' is poor, sorry...anyway, this honey comes only from the Kiawe tree! It is expensive (not so horribly expensive that noone could ever purchase it). I believe the farms are in the Pahoa area to the best of my recollection. Again, searchable on the internet. Both would be wonderful day-trips for you and would certainly constitute 'keeping it Local'.
Happy Holidayz...
Koale

[cynmkolohe]

Wonderful idea!

I would try the Farmers Markets. Especially the Kinoole Market (Saturday) and the Waimea markets (also on Saturdays).

I've heard that the honey Koale refers to is in high demand, so there are people who go to the market very early to get it!

Maybe you could go visit the Hawaiian Vanilla Company in Paauilo?

[dianer29]

Thank you everyone I will try local first to keep the gas consumption down.We have planned to go to the vanilla farm however yipes on the miles.we shall see.............

[hotzcatz]

But you can order them online: www.ahualoa.net These are some of the farmers on the Big Island who have an online presence, including Richard who has the honey you are looking for.

[nwcountrygal]

Honey at La Quinns on Sundays in farmers market behind...Honomujams.com for the best jelly and sauce for fish low pectrine. Dirty Hippie Soaps for soap sells at Maku market and Hilo market? And I found in Kona no website priced in expensive Kona store $19.95 at Elephants Market I believe a hand blown glass hand painted Christmas ball with velvete box hand painted with Aloha scenes. Bought some for Christmas presents. They are really cool.

[nwcountrygal]

ohh and a good article in Ke Ola magazine today Kona Sea Salts.... www.konaseasalt.com pick up the magazine anyone done the KonaRed or Spirlina Pacifica or BioAstin vitimans? interetsing articles.

[KonaKat]

There are lots of local brands at Longs, Hilo Hattie (yes they have food stuff and lots of it), KTA also carries tons of local coffees and other products.

[dianer29]

Wow keep those ideas coming I have a great start! Maholo!

[KoaKine]

Hilo Hattie also gives Kamaʻaina disc.
The Vanilla Co is great the wife took her sister there last week for a tea we have been there a few times He sells much more that just the beans.

Koa