Category Archives: Culture

Purely Hawaiian Liquor, ‘Okolehao

Native Hawaiians use ti plants for more than scaring away evil spirits. They also make a potent spirit of their own, a distillation of ti root called ‘Okolehao (prn OH-koh-lay-how). Haleakala Distillers, located Upcountry Maui, starting brewing their own 80-proof version in December 2009. The formula calls for a mash of roughly 25 percent ti root, 20 percent rice and 55 percent cane sugar, all grown in Hawai’i, according the the company’s website. The flavor has been described as a cross between rum and sipping tequila, with a hint of coconut and florals unique to the islands.

There’s been a lot of coverage in the news about this local liquor (see links below), but the real proof is in the drinking. Here’s a recipe for an ‘okolehau cocktail perfect for a hot summer afternoon that I’ve adapted from another regional liquor, pisco:

‘Okolehao Sour

1 cup fresh squeezed lime juice

1 cup confectioners (powdered) sugar

2 shots ‘Okolehao

Shake over ice and serve with a dollop of whipped egg white and a sprinkling of li hin mui powder

Makes 2-4 drinks, depending how strong you like it

Roundup of news coverage of ‘Okolehao liquor:

http://mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/527105.html

http://www.honolulumagazine.com/Honolulu-Magazine/June-2010/In-High-Spirits/

http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2003/Jun/01/ln/ln05a.html

Poetic aerial fireworks warning labels

The warning labels on some aerial fireworks boxes read like poetry. Here are a few of my favorites from this past New Year’s Eve.

Fireworks warning label from Phantom Fireworks' "Bada Bing! Bada Boom!"

Warning

Shoots flaming balls and reports

Carefully read cautions on side panel

Performance label details what to expect from these aerial fireworks

Performance

Panoramic red, green and blue

bursts, accented by sizzling streams

of crackling extending out in all

directions.

Another performance description for aerial fireworks

Performance Description

This 500-gram cake is a giga-gorgeous show of white tails

to white glitter alternating with golden comet tails to golden

glittering willows. The finale is quickened whistling tails to delayed

sparkling and red and green crackling palms. 38 shots.