February 26th, 2010
Sometimes when you experience something on a daily basis, you start taking it for granted. Watching news casts about recent winter storms and the incredible amount of snow fall in the continental USA has made me think about how blessed we are here in Hawaii. Last week we were the only state in the nation that didn’t have snow fall! Another issue that you also start taking for granted is- we have crops coming to fruition all year long. When I was chairing an Ag-tourism Ass. I was asked by a travel agent magazine “what is unique about Hawaii when it comes to Agriculture.” My answer, which they printed was “there isn’t a single day in 365 that you can not see, touch, taste or smell something coming to fruition in Hawaii.”
One of the questions I am always asked on my orchard tours [we give comlimentary, educational orchard tours to guests] is “when is the harvest season for Macadamia Nuts?” Most folks are surprised to learn it is year round. Now we do have a high season when we produce more Macadamia Nuts, and that is about the middle of July through the middle of January. However, Macadamias are always in production, and if you would like to arrange to pick some Macadamia Nuts yourself while you visit- simply ask. A bonus is- we charge 1/2 price for Macadamia Nuts you pick yourself [note we only offer this chance to folks who stay on our farm].
All the above leads me to share with you two great photos I took on February 25, 2010. Sierra [5 yrs old] and her brother Nathan [7 yrs old] were a joy to have on our farm- and did a fantastic job of picking them selves some Macadamia Nuts to take home . Nathan hand husked the shells [very impressive- and if you want to know what that means come visit us and I'll show you what he did]. The photo on the left is of the two of them picking nuts- and on the right is part of the rewards of their picking- 3 bags of nuts- all wrapped up in netting- topped off with ribbon- and ready to go.
Sierra & Nathan picking Macadamia Nuts
Macadamia Nuts- picked and ready to take home
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February 14th, 2010
- Orchard Tour
Aloha
We just enjoyed hosting Barbara & Judy on our farm this last week. One of the great benefits of sharing our farm with guests from all over the world is the great folks we get to meet.
Judy took this picture of myself and Barbara and was kind enough to Email a copy to me. I offer tours [free for our guests] right after breakfast week days and early afternoon week ends. I discuss history, nutrition, and some of the joys and challenges of Macadamia Nut farming. We actually received a write up in the New York times for our orchard tours and mentions in Bon Appetite and Cooking Light magazines.
If you`d like to experience the “real Hawaii” - and maybe pick some Macadamia Nuts to take home with you [at a reduced price for those you pick yourself]
come visit our farm.
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January 25th, 2010
coastline view as you drive down the old cane road
another view as you drive along
mountain views
Folks often wonder “what can I see at the very bottom of the Big Island of Hawaii.” If you’re into a little adventure and want to see a few things off the beaten path- there’s some cool side trips you can take. The views above are along the “old cane road”; named for the road where you could drive by sugar cane plantations. Ka`u [the name of the district where our farm is located] has a 100 year history of sugar cane growing. The processing plant down here closed in 1997. Sugar cane is being replaced by coffee farms. If you look closely in the picture to the left you will see coffee plants. Ka`u coffee beat out Kona coffee the last two years in an International taste testing contest. You need a little time to drive and enjoy the wonderful views, and while most of the road is paved, there’s about a mile that isn’t. Come stay with us and we’ll help you have the trip of a lifetime.
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April 17th, 2009
Papakaleo Green Sand Beach
The other day we took some time to enjoy where we live. You know how it is, when you live some place- you don’t get to do what your guests do most of the time. You have to work! We enjoy helping our guests get the most out of their vacation, helping them get to the special places that will make their vacation not only a great memory but a wonderful experience. And spending time giving complimentary, educational orchard tours often is the highlight of my day. It’s fun to give folks a unique experience and I often get to educate folks a little about farming- and how to take care of our land. But it’s great to enjoy where you live off the farm once in awhile, especially if it’s a wonderful location like Hawaii; and Green Sand Beach is literally right down the road from us. So here’s the beach- and yes it really is GREEN. Want to know why? Come visit and I’ll be glad to fill you in 
Walking along the ocean on the way to Green Sand Beach
We’re a great location to visit Papakaleo Green Sand Beach as well.
Come see all that the south part of the Big Island of Hawaii has to offer. http://www.macadamiameadows.com
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April 9th, 2009
Hawaiian Hawk off our lanai
Often, we get a little lazy when it comes to the environment in which we live. Complacent might be a more accurate description. When you live in a setting as beautiful as we do, sometimes you begin to forget the folks who live in the middle of huge cities devoid of a more natural environment, with the exception of an occasional park or two. So, I wanted to share this picture with you.
Believe it or not this has been the view of our guests on a couple of occasions as they sat enjoying their breakfast on our lanai [deck, porch]. He doesn’t perch here every day of course, but when he does- it kind of takes your breath away.
If you’re seeking a more “natural” Hawaii- come visit our farm.
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February 12th, 2009
We’ve been so busy tending to our guests that I haven’t tended to this blog. Shame on me. It’s fun though giving orchard tours, helping folks who want to pick some Macadamias to take home with them get all set up [1/2 price for those you pick yourself] and of course helping people get the most out of their vacations.
Here’s a picture taken of the attached wing of our house. I heard guests talking and saw them gesturing quite animatedly and wondered what they were pointing their cameras at. I went down to see and here it is. The rainbow was even more impressive in person. But that’s Hawaii for you.
For those of you looking for airfare, there’s some great deals out there. Try bookingbuddy.com. It will allow you to go to several sites all from one location and you only have to enter your info once. I’ve got a great 3 night special right now. It’s listed on our front page of our website that you just clicked off of to read this Blog. Wonderful time to travel
http://www.macadamiameadows.com
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October 14th, 2008
I love that term “webmaster”. How about web slave? I was up till 3:30 am working on updating our website for the farm B&B. Then at it again this morning right after serving breakfast. Among some other things, I wanted to update my index page and put a link or two to this blog. By the way, if you got here some other way than off our website here’s a link to it: http://www.macadamiameadows.com
We’ve got guests arriving soon- so I’m off to greet them. A big aloha from the Southern most Point in all the USA [no it isn't the Florida keys]. We’re actually located one road over from “South Point Rd.” which leads you right down to Ka Lae [in Hawaiian] which is indeed the southern most point . If you jump off South Point cliff the next landfall is the Antarctic.
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October 14th, 2008
As you walk through the Macadamia Nut orchard you come to a slight hill in the orchard which comprises our meadow [hence the name "Macadamia Meadows"]. You can stand there, surrounded by Macadamia Trees and the gentle scent of Macadamia Blossoms, and as you look north there is the edge of Mauna Loa ,a beautiful green mountain rising to the sky [it's actually a saddle back volcano]. As you stand and listen there’s the soft chirp of birds in the orchard. And I think how grateful I am, in all the turmoil this world has been in this last week with all the financial bad news literally around the world, to have a quiet place of utter peace that I can turn to.
If a natural setting appeals to you, and the sounds of an Hawaiian rooster calling to it’s mate reminds you of simpler times you’d like to enjoy again [maybe a memory from visiting your grandparents farm on summer vacation when you were young] then welcome to our farm:)
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September 22nd, 2008
- Macadamia Blossom
Aloha All
For some time now I’ve been thinking about writing a blog, so that you could get a feel for what is happening on the farm, in our area, and just get a feel for our little country estate out here in the middle of the pacific. Right now we’re waiting for guests to arrive, and as I’m sitting typing I can hear the birds in the trees out in the orchard, as they start to settle in for the soon aproaching twilight. I’ve lived here on this very spot for almost 12 years now, and after awhile, like most humans you start to take what you experience on a daily basis for granted. In many areas of the earth people are almost over come with sounds of traffic, people, and the constant hustle and bustle of busy city life. We’re blessed to be able to experience living in the middle, literally of a Macadamia Nut orchard, with gentle breezes from the trees, the shade they provide as you walk through the orchard; and when we have a blossom flush the pervasive perfume of the Macadamia blossoms.
As the sun continues to set I hear our Hawaiian roosters calling their hens to roost, snuggled into the protective branches of the Macadamia trees out in the orchard. Few places in this earth do you see fowl so close to their original, natural habitat.
Thoughts from a gentle evening on the farm
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