Videos

Sustainable You Hawaii – Tiny Isles

Situated on the lush landscape of Kaua‘i, Hawaii, Tiny Isle has carved a space for itself in the market of sweet products, with a particular emphasis on fudges, truffles, and macadamia nut butters. Originating with a focus on fudge, Roland from Tiny Isle shared, “It all started with the fudge that spun off to what we call truffles. It’s a chocolate confection,” going on to explain that local ingredients are utilized to flavor these creations.

A notable example of their product is the vanilla mochaccino, which melds coffee-infused chocolate with white chocolate, underpinned by their in-house vanilla. Roland provides a succinct overview: “It’s called vanilla mochaccino, and it’s coffee-flavored chocolate and white chocolate vanilla on the top, using our own vanilla, of course.” The host of the video, Amanda Smith, responds positively to the taste, noting the evident layers of flavors: “Ooh, definitely tastes like chocolate and coffee, and at the end, I get a little hint of that vanilla.”

The business also takes particular pride in their macadamia nut butter. Detailing the production process, Roland explains, “We take locally grown macadamia nuts, grind that into a paste.” Delving further into the manufacturing details, he introduces viewers to the “steel plate grinding” technique which distinguishes Tiny Isle’s macadamia nut butter. Roland outlines the approach as one in which “two steel plates [are] right next to each other, and one of them is spinning,” identifying it as an optimal method to ensure “a low-temperature, high-speed grind.”

A variety of iterations of the nut butter are available, including raw, raw with Kaua‘i honey, toasted, chocolate, and honey vanilla. Describing the honey vanilla variant, Roland elucidates it has “a lot less honey in it, so it’s really nutty. So you got a little bit of honey and then the vanilla which smooths it all out.” Similarly, the chocolate version is described as “toasted mac nut butter with chocolate and agave nectar,” providing a “sweet” tasting profile, according to Amanda.

Moreover, the business demonstrates a notable commitment to utilizing local ingredients in their products, bolstering the community and indigenous agricultural pursuits. This adherence to locally-sourced ingredients not only underscores a commitment to quality but also weaves a narrative of community support and sustainability.

In sum, Tiny Isle emerges not merely as a confectionary business but as an entity that intertwines local agriculture, specific and careful crafting processes, and the innovative use of indigenous ingredients to forge its products. Roland encapsulates this ethos toward the end of the conversation with Amanda, affirming the distinctive and high-quality nature of their offerings: “It’s just really beautiful products, right?”

It’s evident that Tiny Isle, through the mindful melding of local resources and a meticulous crafting process, is not merely curating a range of sweet products but also embedding within them a taste of Kaua‘i’s unique landscape and community spirit.

Tiny Isle 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

Ruffin’ It – Playground 808

Playground 808, situated in Kapaa, Hawaii, coalesces around the joint venture of Ashley Parducci and Rebecca McMahon, both with varied expertise in the fitness realm. The entity, conceived in 2019, operates beyond the conventional parameters of a fitness studio, with an embedded ideology to “empower a healthier you” through a confluence of daily movement, healthy practices, and community engagement.

Through a spectrum of fitness classes – Sculpt, Bounce, Barre, and Slide Board – the establishment endeavors to meet disparate fitness goals while integrating a palpable vitality and collective ethos into its offerings. Sculpt, for instance, navigates through low-impact strength training, while Bounce ventures into a cardio session that merges elements of “strength, stability, endurance, and coordination,” each catering to the multifaceted fitness objectives of their clientele.

In a transparent window into the establishment via a video, host Olivia Ruff, alongside founders Rebecca and Ashley, peruses the physical and immaterial domains of The Playground. The tangibles, as noted by Rebecca and Ashley, are the varied equipment: “Bosu balls, which we’ll use usually with strength training or our sculpt classes,” “slide boards, which are really great for lateral training,” and “rebounders, which are mini trampolines, so lots of cardio.” Meanwhile, the intangibles emerge through a distinctive ethos that underpins the space, one that mimics the unfettered and collective spirit of a childhood playground. This is clarified in their slogan and ensuing explanation: “Meet us at the playground. That’s our biggest one because being a kid, that was the best part, was having the time at the playground with your friends. So we wanted the community to come together here and have that fun energy.”

The inclusivity and accessibility of the classes, which are formulated to accommodate a broad spectrum of fitness levels while prioritizing “safety and individual pacing,” are also underscored. They facilitate various participation modes, including “members,” “drop-ins,” and options for visitors such as a week’s attendance, with additional pragmaticities like pre-registration through Mindbody being recommended due to the limited capacity of the studio. “We always recommend signing up through Mindbody because we are a small studio, we do fill up, so we do recommend signing up to save your spot,” emphasizes the pragmatic operation of the space.

In an understated reflection following her workout, Ruff appends a personal note of ease and enjoyment, “I did great, and some of you may think it might be really tough, but I didn’t even sweat at all. So, yeah, good times. It’s refreshing, right?” subtly nodding towards the unimposing yet engaging nature of the workout experience at The Playground.

Through this blend of structured fitness programs and an affable, community-centric spirit, The Playground positions itself not just as a locus for physical transformation but equally as a space where community and enjoyment are integral to its functional and philosophical framework.

Playground 808 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.