BUSY BEES
John Dalire and Linda Kawamoto-Dalire have cultivated a sweet business built on the cooperation of friends. Their All Hawaiian Honey line features several honeys from the Big Island — lehua, macadamia nut blossom and Christmas berry — produced by their beekeeping friends.
A fourth honey is generated from four Oahu apiaries tended by Dalire on Windward Oahu farms, also owned by friends. His bees help farmers pollinate their crops, and harvested honey is shared with those farmers.
Honey fans would do well to keep tabs on that fourth offering. It’s a “wild card” honey that is almost never replicated because its flavor profile depends on what’s growing near the hives when the bees are collecting nectar and pollen. The current batch, for instance, hails from Kaneohe and features flavors of avocado blossoms, lychee and basil.
How do the Dalires know exactly what plants the bees are visiting?
“Our bees could be going to many different flowers, but we’re talking about the most dominant ones,” said Kawamoto-Dalire. “The hives in Kaneohe are near agricultural land, so we know what they’re growing.”
She said some honey connoisseurs say the avocado blossoms lend a buttery quality, and she deems this batch fruity and floral as well.
Another factor that influences the end product is the length of time honey is left in the hive, she said. In general, the longer the stay, the darker and richer the taste.
Dalire’s other apiaries are in Waiahole, where starfruit and avocado are currently growing; Waimanalo, in an area where a mix of flowers is raised; and Kahaluu.
All Hawaiian Honey is sold in sizes from 2 ounces to 2 pounds, for $3.50 to $16. Larger quantities can be ordered.
Find the honey at these Hawaii Farm Bureau farmers markets: Blaisdell Center, 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays; Kapiolani Community College, 7:30 to 11 a.m. on the second, fourth and fifth Saturdays of the month, and 4 to 7 p.m. on first and third Tuesdays; and Mililani market, 8 to 11 a.m. on first Sundays.
— Joleen Oshiro, Star-Advertiser
A SALUTE TO THE KING OF FEASTS
“The Lion King” debuts in movie theaters Friday, sure to draw the eyes of kids everywhere.
Dole suggests channeling some of that attention into healthy eating with a batch of 20 recipes heavy on fruits and vegetables.
The dishes have names like Pride Lands Pancakes, Simba-licious Slawesome Salad and Nala Naan, and are designed for parents and kids to prepare together.
The Lion Cub Lunch, for example, is built around a grilled turkey burger patty forming the lion’s face. A grilled pineapple ring and strips of bell peppers make up the mane; spiralized zucchini tossed with pesto makes the grass he sits on.
The recipe can be found along with all the other “Lion King” recipes at dole.com.
It’s all part of Dole’s “Powering the Hero Within” healthy-living initiative and includes No-Worry Nutrition tips and a contest to win a trip to Hawaii (for those of us who don’t already live here).
