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Got (Coconut) Milk?

Island residents have enjoyed Maui’s Roselani Ice Cream since 1932, but, last fall, they were shocked to learn that one of their favorite flavors might melt away forever. The Maui creamery ran out of coconut milk, and had to stop making its signature haupia ice cream.

photo: Janelle Kalawe

The news made the “Maui News” in its Sept. 23 issue, but the headline was misleading, says Cathy Nobriga Kim, who runs the ice cream operations.

“Basically, ‘Maui News’ said ‘Haupia No More,’” she says. Customers phoned in a panic.

The problem was that Roselani lost its supplier of coconut milk—the most important ingredient for the haupia flavor—not its desire to continue making its best-selling ice cream. It just needed to find some premium coconut milk.

Roselani had experimented with other sources of coconut milk in the past, but the ice cream would turn gray and the taste didn’t measure up. Now it had an additional hurdle finding a replacement: The majority of coconut milk is produced in the Philippines and recent storms there have wiped out a great deal of the coconut crop, forcing prices up, as producers must now import coconuts for processing.

But, new suppliers lined up with samples and, after six weeks of testing, Roselani found its new, slightly more expensive coconut line. Says Nobriga Kim, “We want our customers to know that we are not going to sacrifice our quality. People know the products, and we can’t fool them. We’re not just going to make it to take up real estate on the shelves.”

Nobriga Kim says the new coconut milk source, as well as her recipe, remain closely held secrets, as was the identity of the former supplier—Mendonca’s of Hawaii—prior to this story. Customers are content to know the haupia ice cream is back on the shelves.

- Kyle Galdeira

They’re turning Japanese, they really think so…
70%	The percentage of Japanese tourists recently surveyed by Japanese-language magazine Aloha Street who believed that more than 40 percent of the tourists visiting Hawaii are Japanese. Actual market slice is about 20 percent.
52%	The percentage of Japanese tourists surveyed who believed more Japanese are coming to Waikiki than before. Actual numbers declined 10 percent in the past year.
48%	The percentage surveyed who listed “more supermarkets” as the No. 1 need for Waikiki. No. 2 was casual dining, with 45 percent. Only 4.5 percent wanted more upscale restaurants.
- Scott Radway Source: Aloha Street

Trashy Souvenir

Jon Farmer calls what he does WDT, or “waste diversion technology.” The rest of the world knows it as collecting garbage.

Last spring, Farmer, a part-time Kahului resident, was alarmed by the amount of trash he saw piling up on Maui’s beaches. He decided to do something about it, saving the Islands and making a few dollars along the way. Thus was born Tropical Trash—refuse with a reason, collectibles with a conscience.

photo courtesy of Tropical Trash

After picking up after others, Farmer creates his Tropical Trash by encasing handfuls of the rubbish in a small Plexiglas cube. He then notes where and when he found the trash. Finally, he signs his hand-picked creations. Farmer doesn’t work with anything toxic or rotten.

“I’ve seen so much trash everywhere I go. It’s kind of scary. So I thought, ‘Why not a grassroots recycling effort that creates unique gifts from Hawaii?’” says Farmer. “Tropical Trash says that I’ve been to the Islands, and I left it a little better place.”

Farmer has commemorated trash from beaches, golf courses and parades all across the Islands, as well as University of Hawaii football games and the Honolulu International Airport. Not surprisingly, Farmer’s most popular trash comes from Waikiki. He will also pick up and pack trash to order.

So far, sales of Tropical Trash have been light. Since last summer, Farmer has sold less than 50 of the garbage cubes. However, he is confident the public will eventually join his recycling effort. We live in a throwaway society, after all.

www.purehawaiiangarbage.com, $25, $5 for shipping.

- David K. Choo

The Executive Playbook

From time to time, Hawaii Business checks in with local executives to see what’s on their reading and play lists. This month, B.J. Kobayashi, president and CEO of The Kobayashi Group, gives us a sneak peek into his collection. His lists seem to favor the oldies but goodies, including classic hits from Frankie Valli and even the good ol’ Dr. Seuss.

>> he’s listening to ...

MATT DUSK Two shots of happy, one shot of sad
EAGLES Lyin’ Eyes
FRANKIE VALLI Grease
P. DIDDY FT. 50 CENT & BUSTA RHYMES Victory 2004
THIRD EYE BLIND Deep inside of you

>> he’s reading ...

The Five Lessons a Millionaire Taught Me About Life and Wealth by Richard Paul Evans, because “it’s about more than monetary wealth. It’s about how easy it is to make a living once you’ve found something you love doing.”

Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot vs. The Uranium Unicorns From Uranus by Dav Pilkey, to his 5-year-old son Bert, who “loves Robots.”

A Hatful of Seuss: Five Favorite Dr. Seuss Stories by Dr. Seuss, to his 2 1/2 year-old daughter Lucia, because, unlike her brother, she isn’t such a huge fan of robots.

Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt & Stephen J. Dubner, because “it was recommended by a partner and really good friend.”

- Jacy L. Youn

Hawaii Business defines often-spoken words, new and old, to help you make sense of what's being said.

Chillax: A simple combination of the words “chill” and “relax” that makes for quick way to say, “take it easy.” Comes in handy as you rest up from all the recently completed holiday hustle and bustle. Friend 1: I’m so stressed out at work! Friend 2: Don’t worry, chillax. -Kyle Galdeira Email confusing words to hbeditorial@pacificbasin.net

Real Estate: The Colony at The Peninsula

520 Lunalilo Home Road Bedrooms: three Bathrooms: two Living Area: 1,457 square feet Monthly Maintenance Fee: $433 List Price: $649,000

Last fall, islandwide resales of condominiums slowed significantly, dipping from 2,108 units sold from August through October 2005 to 1,473 units during the same three-month span in 2006. The notable exception to this downturn was Hawaii Kai, specifically The Colony at The Peninsula, one of the East Honolulu community’s newest developments.

The aptly named The Peninsula is located on a finger of land that reaches out into Hawaii Kai’s marina and features a surprising mix of luxury villas, single-family cottages and “carriage homes” along with the two- and three-bedroom condominiums found in The Colony, a complex of three four-story buildings. The gated community also enjoys a plethora of amenities, including two pools, a community center, a handful of pocket parks and a picturesque walking and jogging path that weaves its way along the perimeter of the development.

photo: David K. Choo

Last year, there were 23 total resales at The Colony from May through November. Prices ranged from $437,500 to $1.3 million. In early December, there were 22 active listings.

“The Peninsula is an interesting place. It’s gated and has a great location,” says Sonnet Grant, Prudential Locations real estate agent, who specializes in The Peninsula community. “But it also has a wide variety of price ranges and choices, so it appeals to many different types of home buyers. It has a bunch of parks and walking areas. It’s safe and very family friendly. People like that.”

-David K. Choo

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