B on Hawaii

On the South Shore of Kaua`i, chef Ben Takahashi of Shells Restaurant has announced a new “Kaua`i Farmers Market Special menu” that will change every Thursday and feature sustainable ingredients from the island.

What is spirituality? As with most things in life, it all depends on whom you ask. For some, it's a steady regimen of religious practice; for another, it may be a yoga class and a quiet meditation. For plenty of others, "spirituality" is a hippy-dippy concept they try to avoid in fear of attaching themselves to any movement or affiliation—understandably so.

He's Baaaaaaaack! In truth, David Paul Johnson never left. Having spent the better part of a decade cooking for the upper-crust in Big Island's paniolo country, Johnson has merely "returned". Maui foodies who grew to love David Paul's Lahaina Grill, then learned to adapt to the popular Lahaina eatery without Johnson at the helm, are in for a treat.

Two small business owners are making the best of the temporarily slowed economy on O'ahu. Simply Grape wine shop in downtown Honolulu and No Ka Oi Crepes (in Kailua) each offer quality product at reasonable costs; the creature comforts of both should ease your corporate woes.

Can I get an "amen"?

This coming weekend, the Hotel Hana Maui is hosting a “Harvest Weekend” celebration that will spotlight local farmers, fisherman and producers, as well as fine wine and culinary preparations from one of Hawai’i’s most celebrated chefs. The event is the first of its kind since the hotel assumed new ownership.

There are a number of people and organizations talking about making sustainable changes within the world. Heck, there are even some in Hawaii. Henk Rogers is one of the few who returned to Hawaii after a prosperous hiatus with a distinct plan: To get Hawaii independent of fossil fuels within ten years.

The Maui Cattle Company recently unveiled new labeling for its packaged, island-grazed premium beef, in hopes of garnering more attention for Hawaii-raised product. The ranchers are doing their part to bring island-harvested beef back to island tables—all they need is a little help from a savvy, concerned public who consume meat on a regular basis.

As talk of sustainability, the varied problems that accompany importing food to Hawai'i, and overall wellness abound, here's an event that is sure to address many of these issues. On Saturday, March 14, 2009, the second annual Maui County Agricultural Festival will take place on the lu'au grounds of Maui Tropical Plantation in Waikapu. From 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

This weekend (beginning November 22nd), the bucolic retreat known as the Hotel Hana Maui will host a pair of back-to-back events celebrating the arrival of Dr. Jerry Seps of Storybook Mountain Winery from Napa, California. One of the most storied Zinfandel producers in California's history, Dr.