Blog: Little red hens on the North Shore are going green, clean, and sustainable

I don't eat chicken or eggs, but my family does. I remember as a child my favorite thing to do in the supermarket was poke my seven-year-old vegetarian fingers into the meat (not through the plastic) and mush it around. The poking has now stopped but when I stare into the refridgerated shelves in Foodland or Costco, I have flashbacks of movies like Food Inc., where they discuss several cases of children being killed by E. Coli from store bought and fast food served meats, and I wonder how safe it is. Horror stories like that have yet to claim tofu, which I think adds to the appeal of my pan full of the mushy stuff simmering on a burner next to the pot of shoyu chicken or hamburgers in my kitchen. But my tofu loving non-meat eating self doesn't do the feared vegetarian thing and try to impose my omnivorous ways on others, so I've been trying to track down some of the cleanest, locally grown, or slaughtered animal products on the island that I can feel mostly guilt free about serving to my family.

Blog: The real tsunami was on land at the check-out counters

I had owned my boat for exactly two months when the earthquake hit Chile. So needless to say, when I woke to sirens sounding, I was impressionable. My dock-neighbor shrugged when I asked if we were going to die; then he went back to bed. Lucky for me I got to the stores early enough to buy emergency water, peanut butter, and helium balloons reading ‘God loves you’ before the rest of the island woke up. Down at the docks, the mood was calm, but split. Half were gearing up to meet the wave head-on, the other half were banking on insurance. Despite a burning desire to get my money’s worth on a policy, the idea of abandoning my newly-renovated fiberglass bullet to the whitewater bearclaws of the tsunami I’d seen on TV was too American in all the wrong ways. So I decided to sail out.

You say ‘Godiva,’ I say ‘Kokoleka!’

HONOLULU -- Valentine, to warm my crazy local chocoholic heart, forget the grand cru “vintage” chocolat from Switzerland or France. You could splurge $45 for less than a pound of Godivas, wrapped in red and gold, and leave me cold. You could blow $15 for two, 2.5 oz. bars of Valrhona 71% cacao Guanaja. All for nada.

Waimea’s ‘Valley of the Priests’ a sacred site

WAIMEA -- Amidst the traffic and crowds of the North Shore lies Waimea Valley. Known historically as the Valley of the Priests, the lush land gained its name when it was dedicated to a high priest in the year 1090. The green grounds of the valley, brought to life by thriving lush trees and a river, feel more like the east side of Hawaii Island than O`ahu's often dry and hot North Shore.

Shop smart, buy local from Hawaii’s own holiday gamut

HONOLULU -- This holiday season, I decided that my gift-giving ritual would be fun, affordable, and stress free. I mean, why shouldn’t it be? So, keeping that idea in mind, I ferreted out some unique, budget-friendly presents for everyone on your list. The first several suggestions are edible -- the rest run the gamut from jewelry to books.

Green non-profit gifts to delight keiki and keiki-at-heart

HONOLULU -- Some green organizations, bless their hearts, offer some ungreen swag such as membership premiums, petroleum-based plastic backpacks, and the lot. That's why I'm stoked by Surfrider Foundation's organic cotton cap and tote in their membership package.

Ten tips on how to go green for the holidays

HONOLULU -- As green goes rapidly mainstream, it’s easier than ever to enjoy eco-friendly holiday cards, gift wrap, decor, food, and gifts. Start a family tradition of giving back to the Earth with these ideas from The Green Guide. In addition to natural products stores and websites, certified organic food and cotton clothing can be readily found at superstores such as Wal-mart and Target, and on internet shopping sites such as Yahoo. Wherever you shop, here are ten tips for giving your holiday celebrations that special green cachet.