Hawaiian Host is about to release a snack treat containing no macadamia nuts.

Wait. Hold the phone. Oh yeah, you probably already are holding your phone.

Hawaiian Host Tropical Fruit Bites will be the first item the company releases to market without the nut most closely associated with the islands.

"I think the (Hawaiian Host) brand also means ‘tropical snacks,’ and this is a nice tie-in," Keith Sakamoto, Hawaiian Host president and CEO, told TheBuzz.

Tropical Fruit Bites are being rolled out in in three flavors: banana, coconut and pineapple, coated with your choice of milk or dark chocolate.

Company officials have seen the snack-product marketplace trend toward healthier alternatives, "and macadamia nuts are already healthy, so we wanted to come up with some variety," he said.

The company "uses real fruit," while "other products have fruit syrups or jellies in the center. It’s a big distinction," Sakamoto said. "There’s nearly a cup of real fruit in every pack."

Real fruit offers fiber, potassium and other nutrients, he said.

Additionally, the surge in popularity of dark chocolate, due to its supposed health benefits, is one reason Hawaiian Host offers a dark-chocolate variety in addition to milk-chocolate-coated flavors.

"There’s a consistent trend in dark chocolate increasing," he said. Sakamoto attributes part of consumers’ increased purchases to health benefits but also "just a change in taste. Some people prefer less sweet chocolate," and dark chocolate has some bitter notes, flavorwise.

There are those who will pooh-pooh a confectionery company touting its goodies as healthy snacks.

"I think, everything in moderation," Sakamoto said. "When you consume these kinds of chocolate products, fruits and nuts, you want to be conscious of how much you’re consuming. It’s always a nice complement to the rest of what we eat."

He confessed to wanting something sweet during the day as a snack as well as "to top off my day."

Tropical Fruit Bites are sold in resealable 6-ounce bags, and, per the nutrition information, a serving size is a quarter of a cup, so there are "four servings per bag," Sakamoto said.

Should you open a bag to have a few and wind up with no need to reseal it for later, TheBuzz will not judge. A co-worker once observed at the newsroom snack table that a box of Triscuits should say it contains a single serving per container. He got a knowing laugh from around the room.

Whether Hawaiian Host plans additional flavors of Tropical Fruit Bites, such as mango or lilikoi, or another new product containing the fruit as well as macadamia nuts, Sakamoto played it close to the vest. There was no mention of a chocolate-covered kale snack, just so you know.

"We’re on an innovation track," he said. "Our coconut Caramacs are doing really well. Now we’re coming out with these products, and there are things that are always in the pipeline," he said. "Rest assured, there are a number of things on the burner."

Tropical Fruit Bites, as well as the more than 250 confectionery products Hawaiian Host makes, are available via the website. The newest treats will begin appearing on shelves at Longs, Don Quijote and Walgreen within days, if not already there, "and it’s going to spread throughout, locally and touristwise in Hawaii," Sakamoto said. The suggested retail price is $4.99.

"We will sell them on the mainland, but the big push is in Hawaii. These are our roots. We wanted to launch it here, and things will pick up from there."

Reach Erika Engle at 529-4303, erika@staradvertiser.com or on Twitter as @erikaengle.