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Harvesting kalo on the north shore of Kauai. Daniel Lane photo Malama Kauai will host a Canoe Plant Festival on Sunday, October 16, to celebrate National Farm-to-School Month. The event, which is from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., will take place at their farm on Kalihiwai Ridge and showcase traditional food harvests. Polynesians brought nearly 30 plants…

(From left) Joe Fox, Michael Young, Rodman Machado, Sean Smull, Thomas Fuquay, Ron Miller, Adam Watten, Eric Sudeth. Daniel Lane photo. On a bright Saturday afternoon, Ron Miller strides into our cooking tent wearing a crisp white chef jacket with short sleeves. His restaurant, Hukilau Lanai, is embroidered across his left breast and a black…

Maloo (ma lo oh), or “Brown” coconuts (13 to 16 months) are fully mature seeds traditionally used to make coconut cream. Daniel Lane photo. Kauai chefs will use local ingredients during the Tasting Kauai Coconut Cook Off this Saturday. To challenge them even more and open their creativity doors, the chefs will be surprised with additional ingredients from…

Joey Gottesman, an Oahu-based mixologist. Daniel Lane photo. This Hawaii coconut rum cocktail recipe features Koloa Coconut Rum, an ingredient that eight chefs will use during the Tasting Kauai Coconut Cook Off. Since Koloa Rum is celebrating their 7th anniversary this month, I’ve also included four fun-rum events that save money and will tickle your palate….

Tasting Kauai Coconut Cook Off Saturday, Oct. 1 12:30 to 4 p.m. Kapaa Beach Park Free admission Add one part Top Chef, one part Chopped, and one part Iron Chef, and you’ve got the Tasting Kauai Coconut Cook Off. The event is the first of its kind, and debuts at this…

There are nearly 30 canoe plants, including turmeric. Daniel Lane photo. On Saturday, September 10, from 5 to 8 p.m., Malama Kauai will host a Canoe Plant Bingo and BBQ at Hanai Market, located in the old Kojima Store in downtown Kapaa. Proceeds will benefit the Farm-To-School Lunch Program at Kawaikini Public Charter School in Lihue. Bingo cards…

Scott Sloan (left), president of HTFG Kaua‘i, and Ken Love, president of Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers and vice president, Kona chapter, American Culinary Federation. Daniel Lane photo The 26th Annual Hawaii International Tropical Fruit Conference is September 30-October 7, starting at the Kauai Beach Resort and then traveling to Oahu, Molokai, Hilo and Kona for…

Dark & Stormy, Koloa Style with Koloa Rum. Daniel Lane photo Starting tonight, RumFire Poipu Beach and Koloa Rum Company are on the hunt for Kauai’s Best Bartender. In the contest’s second year, the island’s food and beverage industry professionals have been challenged to showcase original Koloa Rum-based cocktails for the chance to earn the…

Greg Askew and Candace Boxer of OnoPops. Daniel Lane image. A pan of mochi bakes in the oven and the smell of butter fills the OnoPops kitchen. Candace Boxer, wearing a blue hairnet and white lab coat, mixes local beets with lavender and strawberries. She dips a refractometer into the blend and holds it to…

Jeff Adams, a Christian pastor for Seaside Church and executive director of the non-profit Seaside Kauai, which does business as Ha Coffee Bar. Daniel Lane photo There’s a calm urgency inside Ha Coffee Bar. A vaulted ceiling with lazy fans and an uncluttered floor give a sense of openness, which feels peaceful. Baristas quietly pull espressos…

Cardamon latte is one of the best espressos we’ve had on Kauai. Daniel Lane photo. Little Fish Coffee is tucked inside a yellow two-story building on Hanapepe Road. There is limited seating inside, but there are tables with umbrellas out back. A lengthy drink menu includes espresso made with coffee that’s organic, fair-trade and roasted…

There’s no question that Tidepools is one of America’s most romantic restaurants. Daniel Lane photo. In Dec. 2015, more than five million OpenTable.com reviews placed Tidepools, at the Grand Hyatt Kauai in Poipu, as one of the 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in America. It’s easy to see why. The thatched-roof restaurant is in the middle…