DTE26-30

Down to Earth – Chocolat Hanalei

In Wainiha, Hawaii, situated on a lush plot of nearly six acres, lies Chocolat Hanalei, a chocolate business with its roots deeply embedded in family and meticulous craftsmanship. Guided by the hands and expertise of Irmgard Mitchell, the entity, notable for its handcrafted gourmet chocolate, intertwines the complexity of chocolate-making with the simplicity and authenticity of familial ties and traditional flavors.

As a child in Germany, Irmgard fostered an appreciation for quality chocolate. She recounted, “As kids, when we got sweets or candies, it was mostly chocolate because it’s healthier for you than all sugar candies. So, I grew up with good chocolate.” This early exposure has, undeniably, cast a lasting influence on her professional journey, with the tangible fruits of such influences being seen and tasted in the wide array of products available at Chocolat Hanalei.

One might assume that such an intricate and labor-intensive process of transforming cacao from tree to treat would require an arsenal of specialized machinery. However, Irmgard and her family’s approach leans into manual methods. Through a lens provided by Lyndsey Haraguchi-Nakayama on an episode of “Down to Earth Kauai TV”, it was revealed that the creation of these chocolates is, impressively, “all by hand.”

Notably, the chocolate’s richness and intensity are not only resultant from the cacao but are also profoundly impacted by the inclusion of local Hawaiian flavors, providing a unique sensory experience. Irmgard stated, “We try to have a lot of tropicals in it because we’re in Hawaii. So we have the lilikoi, the coconut, or the coffee. It all grows here.” This reflects a conscious and intentional effort to infuse the products not just with generic flavors, but with a taste that authentically represents the region and its abundant resources.

Moreover, the chocolate-making process and the resultant products at Chocolat Hanalei are perhaps equally as intricate as wine production, where the percentage of cacao plays a pivotal role in flavor, sweetness, and consumer preference. Irmgard explained the dynamic, saying, “If it is an eighty percent chocolate, there is eighty percent cacao ingredients and twenty percent sugar. If it’s a sixty, there is sixty percent cacao and forty percent sugar.” In essence, this variation allows for a wide spectrum of flavors and intensities, providing options that can cater to varying customer preferences, much akin to acquiring a palate for varied intensities and flavors in wine.

It’s also worth noting that this family operation not only crafts chocolates but cultivates and transforms the cacao beans into the final product. From nurturing the cacao trees to methodically crafting the chocolate by hand, each step is diligently overseen and executed by Irmgard and her family members, embodying a full-circle process that is as laborious as it is passion-filled.

This close-knit collaboration among family members—each person wielding distinct, invaluable roles—has allowed for a seamless intertwining of traditional and artisan chocolate-making methods. For visitors and consumers, this ensures that each product not only stands as a testament to meticulous craftsmanship but also as a personal creation from the Mitchells, fostering a deeper connection between the creator, the product, and the consumer.

In summary, Chocolat Hanalei emerges as a testament to meticulous craftsmanship, tradition, and the intertwining of professional and personal worlds, curated through the lens of family and authentic Hawaiian flavors.

Chocolat Hanalei Website | Facebook | Instagram

Down to Earth – The Vanillery

Vanillery of Kauai, rooted in the verdant landscapes of Hawaii, opens its gates to not only cultivate the enigmatic vanilla orchid but also to unveil the meticulous processes of vanilla production to the wider public. With no explicit mission statement presented, the operational and ethical underpinnings of the organization reflect a commitment to sustainable and organic farming practices, shedding light on a multifaceted journey from the delicate orchid blooms to the aromatic beans that enchant the global culinary scene. Engaging in each stage of production, the organization ensures each vanilla bean is nurtured with profound care, reflecting the high-quality, flavorful profile that distinguishes Kauai vanilla. Their offerings extend beyond the physical product, presenting an immersive educational experience through farm tours that delve into each phase of vanilla’s growth, hand-pollination, and the meticulous curing and drying processes. A range of products, including beans, extract, and vanilla caviar, are accessible both on-site and online, with each item encapsulating the rich, authentic experience of Kauai vanilla.

Vanillery of Kauai intertwines with a community that prioritizes sustainable and organic farming, likely collaborating with entities within the culinary and agricultural sectors. Through their blog and various educational resources available on the website, they share more than a product; they share knowledge, understanding, and a passion for the enigmatic world of vanilla cultivation and production. In this nexus between product and educational experience, Vanillery of Kauai emerges not merely as a producer but as a curator of the vanilla experience, intertwining the sensory allure of this beloved flavor with an unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship.

In the video, Lyndsey Haraguchi-Nakayama, one of the hosts, guides viewers through the lush, verdant landscape of Vanillery of Kauai. The content unveils a comprehensive tour, highlighting both the physical beauty of the environment and the complex, nuanced processes behind vanilla cultivation. The narratives of individuals dedicating their lives to vanilla cultivation, punctuated by their trials and triumphs, imbue the content with a rich, authentic depth. Viewers gain insights into the delicate art of hand-pollination and the detailed, careful process of curing and fermenting the beans, with the serene backdrop of Kauai amplifying the allure of these processes. Beyond mere cultivation, the video explores the various vanilla-infused products offered by the plantation, with a subtle spotlight on their adherence to sustainable practices. It becomes not merely a window into a physical location but a lens through which the dedication, art, and precision of vanilla cultivation are celebrated and shared.

The Vanillery Website | Facebook | Instagram

Down to Earth – Candice B.

Candice B, a versatile musician with roots in Kaua’i, has sculpted a distinctive path within the realms of rock, soul, and various other genres through her ensemble, Candice & Co. Her expansive musical journey, which she elaborated on in a conversation with Lyndsey Haraguchi-Nakayama, commenced at a tender age and has seen her oscillate between genres, geographic locales, and even the manner in which her music is produced and distributed.

“I first started in a children’s choir at the age of seven,” she shared, noting a familial influence on her early musical inclinations, as her mother held roles as both her first choir conductor and a music teacher. Pivotal, too, was her mother’s involvement in their church’s musical activities, which frequently saw a young Candice perform before its congregation: “My mother was also our church organ player and pianist, so naturally, I was in front of the congregation almost every Sunday.”

Her trajectory in the musical sphere continued to be as vibrant as it was varied. As Candice articulated, “At 18, I started to dabble in some classic rock with my uncle’s band. Then I moved here to Kauai and got into reggae music. I released the reggae album with my friend Jason Flegel.”

After a stint in Seattle, where she joined a Motown band, and subsequent R&B explorations which saw her album nominated for a Na Hoku Hanohano Award — considered to be Hawaii’s equivalent to the Grammys — in 2015, she made a pivotal decision. “But after that, I decided to just do my own thing, so I started my own band, Candice and Company. Since 2014, I’ve been performing as Candice B, the frontman, and songwriter for Candice and Company.”

A recent solo venture saw her release a single titled “Sweet Hawaii,” a product of her exploration into independent artistry, absent the traditional label oversight. She describes this process as somewhat of an experiment, stating, “This was kind of like my testing the waters to see if I could do it on my own, without a label, without somebody backing me, without somebody telling me how to do it and what to do.” Her independent endeavors don’t stop at production; she’s also involved in the upcoming release of a music video for the single, in which she’s worked with others such as Tyus of Stunna Media, slated for a late fall release.

Her work, particularly “Sweet Hawaii,” comes from a place of deep respect and love for her home, wanting to convey a broader, deeper understanding of its value beyond the typical perception of a vacation haven. She expressed a desire to “change the perception of how people look at Hawaii,” emphasizing its importance as a sacred place for locals, one that symbolizes a model of sustainable living among a diverse population.

Amidst the struggles brought on by the pandemic, which impacted various sectors, including musicians, Candice remains dedicated to her artistry, performing live and continuing to create. “So every penny helps,” she remarks, noting the importance of support, whether through purchasing her single or contributing at live performances, to her continued ability to produce and share her music.

Navigating through diverse musical landscapes, from classic rock to contemporary Hawaiian music, Candice B continues to perform, create, and produce, merging nostalgic melodies with a freshness rooted in her personal and musical journey — a journey that weaves through not just varied musical genres, but also through the intricate tapestry of experiences and locales that have shaped her as an artist.

Candice B.