Okolehao; Hawai'i's fabled moonshine makes a legal comeback (Honolulu: 2014, hotel)
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Now Island Distillers in Honolulu has brought out a legal 100 proof version of this traditional Hawaiian hooch, and Haleakala Distillers has an 80 proof version.
See the article for more details, some interesting historical material, and a couple of recipes.
Quote:
Hawaiian Moonshine Exists, And It's So Good It's Been Outlawed Twice
Meet okolehao -- the lightly sweet, smooth and super potent Hawaiian moonshine that was so good, it was outlawed twice in the islands. After all, when you live on the world's most remote landmass, you have to get creative with your alcohol.
Okolehao is made out of fermented juice from the root of the ti plant -- a "canoe plant" the Polynesians brought to Hawaii centuries ago that they used for many things including leis, plates, sandals, medicine, and for steaming food wrapped in its leaves. It's a starchy root, similar to a sweet potato.
Okolehao started out as more of a beer-type thing, but when Western explorers brought the technique of distillery to Hawaii in the late 1700s, the native Hawaiians ran with it. After chopping up the ti roots -- which can weigh as much as 300 pounds -- Hawaiians would steam them in an underground oven and then use iron pots to distill the root. Because the pots looked like "iron butts," the affectionately clever name okolehao was born (“okole” means butt in Hawaiian, “hao” is iron).
On Lanai they'd spike pineapples with okolehau and then harvest them the next day. Good stuff! If you can remember it, of course. We used to go over there every summer for a couple weeks of beach party at white Manele bay. That was before they built that hotel there and wrecked everyone's party place.
There are a surprising number of moonshiners on the Big Island. Not cr*ppy stuff like on those fake TV reality shows either. Many nice rums, vodkas and whiskey are available.
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Legendary Appalachian Moonshiner
