biz briefs 10-30
Specialty beers celebrate Big Island’s coffee, ginger
Kona Brewing Co.’s Kailua-Kona Brewpub will celebrate the harvest season with the tapping of two specialty brews — Da Grind Buzz Kona Coffee Imperial Stout and Big Island Ginger Beer — on Thursday at 5 p.m.
Da Grind Buzz Kona Coffee Imperial Stout, made with 100 percent Kona coffee, is brewed each fall to honor Kona’s coffee harvest. Big Island Ginger Beer is made with Big Island-grown ginger root and celebrates this unique Hawaii crop — Hawaii is the only state in the nation that grows ginger commercially. Beer, coffee and ginger connoisseurs are invited to stop by the pub, sample the specialty beers and talk with the brewers who crafted them.
Da Grind Buzz Kona Coffee Imperial Stout is an assertive, rich and hearty dark stout complemented by freshly roasted 100 percent Kona coffee. The stout style is a Russian Imperial stout, historically brewed strong to survive its long voyage from London to the Baltic region. Freshly roasted, coarse ground 100 percent Kona coffee beans were added to the brew during the aging process. The beans were grown, harvested and roasted by Cornwell Estate in Holualoa and lend a distinctive roasted coffee aroma to the brew.
Big Island Ginger Beer is light brown in color with a big bouquet of ginger aroma, slightly spicy flavor and crisp, dry finish. Fresh Big Island-grown ginger root was added while the beer was brewed as well as in the conditioning stages of production. Different flavor and aroma characteristics are achieved by adding the ginger at different points during the brew.
Both beers will be on tap at the pub while supplies last. For more information, call 334-2739 or visit www.KonaBrewingCo.com.
Big Island company launches poi-based food
The Taro Dream Inc. mission and vision began many years ago with a newborn’s struggle to survive and a mother’s determination to succeed. Pamela Noeau Day, founder and president of Taro Dream Inc., a corporation based in North Kohala, began researching the benefits of poi 18 years ago when her youngest daughter, Alexa, was unable to consume mother’s milk or any of the usual alternatives available for infants. Poi was the miracle food that enabled Alexa to grow and thrive.
Very few food staples exist anywhere in the world that can be considered hypoallergenic, are rich in calcium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, a good source of B vitamins, contain vitamins A and C, minerals and a small measure of high quality, easily digestible protein. Kalo, or taro, as it is more commonly known, is not only nutritious but is considered to be a beneficial carbohydrate food that provides a high fiber, slow-release energy food source that may be beneficial for the more than 100 million people worldwide that suffer from diabetes.
A uniquely appealing poi-based cultured pudding blend with a distinctive, exotic and pleasing taste is now available on the Big Island. This chilled and creamy therapeutic food will serve the global market as an alternative to dairy and soy-based refrigerated products. Taro Dream is low-allergenic, gluten-free and contains none of the top eight allergic ingredients present in many foods.
Taro Dream is a vegetarian food and contains traditional poi cultures as well as beneficial fermentation compounds. It is easily digestible and contains naturally occurring antioxidants, phytonutrients, vitamins, co-factors and other numerous health promoting properties.
Free tasting and education of Taro Dream Tropical Poi-based pudding blends are scheduled at several locations in Kona and Waimea during the next two weeks. For additional information, call Jason, at 346-0871, or visit the Taro Dream Web site at www.tarodream.com.
Rost given grant for his Rotarian efforts
Allstate agent Scott Rost has received the “Agency Hands in the Community” award for his commitment to volunteering in the community. With this award comes a $500 grant from The Allstate Foundation for the Rotary District 5000 Foundation where Rost volunteers.
Through the “Agency Hands in the Community” grant program, Allstate agents and personal financial representatives are recognized for outstanding commitment to community service with a $500 donation to the charitable organization where they volunteer. To qualify for the grant, agents must show evidence of volunteer work that has been a positive impact on the local community.
Mediation center plans training session
West Hawaii Mediation Center is accepting trainees for the December Basic Mediation Training. The two-day training will be held at Anna’s Ranch in Waimea on Dec. 7 and 8 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The training consists of 16 hours of comprehensive classroom training. The fee is $100. Upon completion of training, participants interested in becoming a volunteer mediator with the center may take an additional apprenticeship component.
The participants will acquire skills in communication, negotiation and problem solving.
Mediation, an alternative dispute resolution process, recognizes that many times an impartial third party can help by facilitating cooperation and sincere, open communication between people involved in a dispute. Mediation provides a voluntary process that empowers people to take responsibility for the resolution of their dispute instead of simply turning to litigation, which can often be time-consuming and expensive.
For more information or to sign-up for the training, call West Hawaii Mediation Center at 885-5525 or 326-2666. There are a limited number of openings.
Humu Moolele’s first edition available here
The new Hawaiian cultural magazine, Humu Moolele, Journal of the Hula Arts, has arrived in Kona. Its first edition features hula master and long-time Kona resident George Naope, and copies are available for purchase in the Kulana Room at King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel.
A colorfully illustrated, 128-page quarterly, Humu Moolele intends to perpetuate the love and lore of hula in particular and Hawaiian culture in general. Its initial issue focuses not only on Naope but also upon numerous chants and songs, meaningful areas in the islands, the early years of the Merrie Monarch Festival and the 2005 world conference on Hula.
The next edition of Humu Moolele will pay tribute to King David Kalakaua, Kahikuonalani and the renaissance of hula.
Individuals and organizers in West Hawaii interested in Humu Moolele may call Kulana Huli Honua-Foundation of the Search for Wisdom for more information. The phone number is 327-0123.