HAWAII: What's it like?

[MOTH]

Hey, I'm moving to Hawaii! I'm attending college there and determined to make this plan a reality. I'm hoping sometime in the next year I'll make the leap. Where's the best place in the islands to be a raw foodist? How is Hilo?

Any Hawaiians here? What type of produce? I imagine the fruits are just lucious. How is the green veggie and edible mushroom situation?

Any advice you can give me would be appreciated! :-)

[Rawmommie]

Starfire will jump in here and tell you all about it, I'm sure!! :)

[christofu]

Aloha~~~I've only been to Kauai and Oahu, but my choice would be to live in Kauai. Seeing that you are interested in attending school, your best bet is to live in Honolulu where the university is. Good luck with your plans.

[carolg]

Where in HI?

HI makes me think of vacationing and seeing daily gorgeous rainbows.

check meetup.com

carolg

[MOTH]

Hey guys! Yes, Kauai will be my choice for settling down, no doubt, but for my university years, it's either the Main Island or Oahu! I haven't made up my mind between UH Manoa or UH Hilo quite yet...

was hoping to get some advice on which island is best for a raw foodie! That might help me make my decision. :-)

[cara4art]

ChiLove who just moved recently to the Big Island will likely chime in on this, but in the two amazing trips that I've been to Hawaii, we wwere on Maui briefly(totaling 4-5 days at both ends of the first trip), on the small untouristed Moloka'i in the jungle with friends, and on the second trip we were on the Big Island for 3 weeks - awesome! Every island is different, but all are great to be raw foodists for sure - great plenitude of fresh foods, and of course the climate. I would have to say that so far the Big Island is my favorite on account of the most variety of foods, and the geography. We stayed a good bit in the Puna District and we loved it! The Hilo and Makuu(on Sundays just outside of Pahoa)farmers' markets are awesome! Plus, if you know someone with fruit trees(not hard)and or someone with a garden, you can eat even MORE fresh foods for even less. The ground is so lush there that one can practically stick a broomstick in the ground and it will grow - LOL! We came close to moving there, but for us it might not have worked out to be there full-time. We did end up moving to San Francisco though from 12 years in New Mexico, so we are closer to Hawaii for visits which we are looking forward to doing.

[StarFire]

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/affae1d6.jpg

Aloha no kakou!!! Yes I am Hawaiian and I live on the Big Island of Hawaii!!! and.... it totally RAWks!!!

Kauai is an awesome island.... and they have an amazing raw food restaurant there... but cost of living will make a major dent in ANY budget...

Maui is also wonderful... but it is getting so darn commercialized it's getting scary!

Big Island... omg... The magical land of fire and ice. There are 13 climactic regions in the world - Big Island is one of the few places in the world that has 11 of those regions.... It is a truly sacred place.

EVERYTHING cara4art told you is true. The farmers markets are beyond believeable... the variety of fruit and veggies available will blow your mind! AND... so many people have fruit trees and veggie gardens and Hawaiian style is to share! We (my husband and I) will hang a bunch of bananas on our lanai - and anyone walking by is welcome to help themselves.... (please ask first of course) but we are happy to share our bounty with all!! So far this year - we have given away over 20 dozen avocados because we just cannot eat them all! We even are giving them to the little local sandwich shop in town! lol!

The lifestyle here is easy going and gentle... like the tradwinds...
There are many different areas to chose from as far as what kind of weather you enjoy -- it's quite trippy actually!!

Puna has lots of rain, lots of organic farms, several co-ops, communtiy living with organic farms and work exchange programs, exotic black sand beaches, jungles, lava fields (mostly covered by growth)

The Hamakua Coast ... the waterfalls, the green, the forests, and jungles and quaint little towns (we have a population of 4,002 in our little town). Soo many organic farms along the Hamakua Coast (which means Breath of God) and when you see it you will understand WHY it is named that. We also have a WONDERFUL Organic mushroom farm here along the Hamakua Coast... fabulous stuff!! and oooh so yummy!!

Hilo ... good rainy season, affordable housing, and our larger shopping areas

Kona... the sunset, more tourists go here... (but of course tourists are all over the island...) night life, big shopping centers, GREAT TATTOO PARLOR!! (heeheheheee!!) restaurants and fast food, and their farmers market isn't bad either actually. Long stretches of white sandy beaches, lava fields. and mega hotels!! Mostly hot weather, lots of sunshine (and sunburned tourists)!!

and then of course you have the sprinkling of tiny towns all over the island. Each offering something wonderful and unique!

what's it like living in Hawaii? We don't lock our door. If I run out of something and my neighbor is not home - I can borrow it anyway - and leave a note.... Everyone knows everyones kids in our tiny little town... and if that kid misbehaves... BELIEVE ME... the mom gets SEVERAL calls even before the kid gets home! lol!! ;)

the air smells like exotic flowers, the weather is balmy, and the tradewinds are warm and have the scent of the ocean on it's breeze....
the palm trees sway in rhythm with the tide...
the birds sing and eat fruit all day and get fat...
and local children play in the waves...

this is my life... my Hawaii. (but remember - I do live in one of the smaller towns) Hilo of course is more sophisticated.... busy but still beautiful with old buildings, and lovely weather! Hilo is very slow paced though... with a gentle rhythm still predominant in the lifestyles... Kona is our Big City.... where 'all the 'action is' (if you want that sort of thing!)

a little bit of everything - for EVERYBODY!!

Aloha.... and blessings!



any more questions just let me know!!


this is Waipio Valley -- 12 miles away from my house
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/001_1.jpg

[earth_sista]

what a lovely post, starfire! now i want to move to hawaii!

[Pansy]

ME TOO!!! :rolleyes:

[BeadedGraces]

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w238/diemtuyet_20/emoticon/beach.gif I am a beach Mama...but live no where near a beach thanks to a parental move when I was too young to protest! I would love to visit Hawaii...ahhh some day....:rolleyes:

[greenday]

StarFire.....reading your description was better than meditation.......so calming. OH, I want to go RIGHT NOW! :)

[debilana]

I just worry I would miss apples and berries so much- can I grow those or is it too hot? what about greens? lol instead og greenhouses doyou have cool houses for growing spinach? :D

[RawHeaven]

Starfire, you just brought us all there with you. (((sigh))) I would love to be on the big island in this very moment...still remember the Waipio Valley....so breathtaking and serene. Felt like I was hiking in and up to heaven.

[jacsam]

LUCKY.....enjoy every minute there.

[Coconutcutie]

My husband is in the Air Force and we may have the opportunity to get stationed at Hickam AFB in Hawaii...however I have always been under the impression that it is a very expensive place to live?? I'm pretty big on home ownership and I feel like we would never be able to purchase a home there....can anyone comment on this? I would LOVE to live there and grow as much of my own food as possible on my own land...what a dream!

[River Mom]

You are a blessed woman StarFire.
I'm in awe.

[ForTheHealthOfIt]

Starfire- you brought tears to my eyes. I lived on Maui for about a year and it was a wonderful experience. I do miss it greatly and will be back one day. My husband even agrees that in the future when we are ready to buy a vacation home (or two :) ) One will be there. I just love it there and feel like a big piece of my heart is still there because when I have memories my heart aches.

[Tiffany]

When I lived in Maui I had this amazing job that required me to travel to all the islands of Hawaii. I would work for maybe three hours and then the rest of the time to explore. It was really wonderful.

To answer your question Big Island vs. Oahu: BIG ISLAND!!!

For all the reasons Star Fire said. Its all true.

[StarFire]

I am so glad you all enjoyed my little description of my Island home! It truly is magical...

and Coconutcutie... as far as housing... It is true that the cost of living on ALL of the islands are higher than they are here on Big Island. The cost of houses on Oahu are steeper than they are here. Oahu is very populated and modern city (with more Tourists, the Large Universities, and the more large Military camps) where as Big Island is the last island where you can still find amazing property that is still available for purchase.... because we are still considered a rural island. We are not as heavily populated, and Big Island grows over 75% of all the food for the islands. Many many farms, but there are some things we cannot grow here, apples and I do not believe we can grow cherries - but don't quote me on that one - cuz I'm not sure.

if you want a good idea of what property prices are... go to
http://www.hawaiiinformation.com

it is a real estate site. You can get an idea of whats available on the different islands and the basic costs.

If you are wanting to grow food - your best bet is Big Island because you can still buy acreage here for excellent prices and build a home for a reasonable price also. That's what we will be doing. We own our land free and clear, and we are saving to build our home so it will also be free and clear.


this is a picture of the swimming hole and waterfall on our land, it's beautiful and we are so blessed! The swimming hole is 40' deep so we are able to dive in from the cliff! It's a wonderful way to cool off when it's hot!!


http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/WaiLaa4608022.jpg

and here's is a shot of my husband on the day we closed escrow... paid for free and clear... it's an amazing feeling!! We were saying prayers of thanksgiving!! You can see the ocean in the horizon .... and you can see the stream meandering thru our land to the right of my husband.


http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/George-thankU-1.jpg

[rawgreenyogini]

Aaaawwwww..... you got me all teary-eyed...... I wanna be your neighbor mama!!!

[StarFire]

Aaaawwwww..... you got me all teary-eyed...... I wanna be your neighbor mama!!!

Come on baby~girl!! http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/hugs-2.gif

[oceanee]

How's the "vog" where you are Star?
Oceanee

[rawgreenyogini]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc65/ljh7171/airplane.jpg

vrooommmmmmm

[Pistachios]

Very inspiring Starfire:

Who knows, you may end up having most of us relocating there to Hawaii to be your neighbor!!:p

[raven]

It's so fascinating to get a glimpse of Hawaii. My daughter may also be stationed at Kanohe Bay (sp?). I don't know much about the islands but I'm passing all your info to her. It would be great if she's stationed there and I could visit.

Suzy

[meinleben]

sf

great post...i am visiting kauai at the end of june....what is the name of the
raw restaurant there....

after reading your post i was sort thinking i should have made plans to go to the big island....

thanks

[MOTH]

Starfire - Thank you SO MUCH for your detailed reply! I have to admit anytime I read something about Hawaii, I have happy bells go off in my head!

I did have a concern though, regarding VOG:

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gAZ8zB9AM756uRRnvQ9xTzpBRRfQD90FOQV00


Are you experiencing this VOG where you're at now? I've seen some pics of Hilo with the VOG and it doesn't look quite pleasant! I hear that everyone is waiting on the tradewinds to blow it awaY?

[hawaiigal]

We live on Kona side of Big Island. The vog is very bad here now. The air is like pea soup! We are waiting for the trade winds to start which will blow the bad air out to sea...right now it is heading straight through Konatown.

Still...a bad day in Kona is better than the best day in LA!

[zig_zag]

I AM SOOOOOO ECSTATIC:D :eek: I jsut bought a ticket to fly to Hawaii in two weeks, to go work and live in and with a self-sustainable, 'primal', 100 % raw community... for a month!!!!!!!!! My initial plans were simply to find a farm to volunteer on for a summer, and then I came across this dream place... and now I'm actually going! I cannot believe it, I'm so ecstatic!!!:D This will be raw-living at its truest!!!!

[cara4art]

Starfire! You are awesome!
Your beauty, passion and soul really come through your writing! The planet is blessed knowing that such good souls exist. When I was on the Big Island, I had the very strong sense of good and beautiful souls throughout the islands and that made me feel very good indeed.
And to think that the magical Waipio Valley is just 12 miles from your house! You have confirmed so many of the same aspects of the Big Island that I picked up on while visiting, and truly, while I was there, it felt deeply powerful in a way that I have never experienced anywhere else. I had inner experiences there on my own where I felt like some sort of "cosmic download" was happening, the magic was that strong. And all the while, I was almost exclusively on the raw fruits and veggies, more high-fruit as it was exactly suitable. I am still processing this "download" over two years later. Another situation happened while I was on Moloka'i that really was the Call to enter into shamanic exploration when I returned to the mainland(was living in New Mexico at the time). I mention these inner things because this is how powerful certain locations can be if one is open to it!
We did not get up to the Waipio Valley while we were there, but hopefully when we return again we will. It just looks jaw-droppingly beautiful and magical!

[StarFire]

Concerning all the questions about the VOG.... I am located more north along the eastern side of the Island - along the Hamakua Coast -- it's actually quite rare for us to experience VOG in this area -- with MaMa Pele moving however, we have had a few days here and there where we experienced the VOG... it was not pleasant that's for sure!! But like islegirl says- even with the VOG - Hawaii is still awesome!! I have been in LA Smog -- and this is not as unpleasant as that. Other areas experience more VOG than we do - and Im sure that it can be a little more unpleasant in those areas - but it does not last forever and when the tradewinds come back it all blows away! :D

raven... kaneohe bay is amazingly beautiful. My brother lived there for many years and just recently relocated to Kauai.

meinleben... the Raw foods restaurants on Kauai -- Blossoming Lotus Cafe LLC, 4-1384 Kuhio Hwy., Kapaa, HI 96746. 808-822-7678. Menu offers gourment organic vegan and live food cuisine from 13 regions around the world......

also....
The Lotus Root Juice Bar & Bakery - 4-1384 Kuhio Hwy, Kapaa, Kauai, HI 96746 808-823-6658. Fresh juices, vegan ice cream, and a huge tea menu, including several medicinal blends. They also offer fresh island coconut water. Hours: 7am-6pm, seven days a week ....

and also check out .... Papayas Natural Food Cafe - 4-831 Kuhio Hwy., Kapaa, Kauai, HI 96746-1574. 808-823-0190.

My friends did say that the Blossoming Lotus is amazing! have fun... take pictures and tell us which one rates the best! rawk on!

You will love Kauai ... I went there a lot as a child with my grandmother who was a healer. We went to collect special herbs and plants. It is an amazing island... filled with beauty and magic! In my opinion - it is truly one of the most beautiful of all the islands. When I was younger I used to ride horses right on the white sandy beaches! (You cannot do that now of course-- it's all hotels along those beaches....) Kauai will always have my heart... but I am called to Big Island and so this is where my home is...(we believe that the Island will call to those who are meant to be here... and the Island where you are called to do your work and be a caretaker of her land will also call you.) So - that is why my husband I have settled here. We do love it so!

zig zag... where is the farm located? Are you in the puna district? anywhere near Opihikao? That is an amazing area - very tropical, and the shore line is magical! Lots of Honu (sea turtles come and rest on the black sand beaches!)

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/Vacation.gif

[spicyfull]

We live on Kona side of Big Island. The vog is very bad here now. The air is like pea soup! We are waiting for the trade winds to start which will blow the bad air out to sea...right now it is heading straight through Konatown.

Still...a bad day in Kona is better than the best day in LA!

Well I was enjoying this Thread until I read this and I can't let it slip through.
You might know Kona but My Friend you are confused about L.A. So you are where you want to be so leave Los Angeles, California out of it. I LOVE CALIFORNIA and people are moving here Every Day to have a Day in L.A. Or did you mean Louisana?

[luna99]

starfire, if I ever get lucky enough to visit Hawaii, I'd love to hang out with you and buy you a fruit juice or smoothie... heck, we could do a whole raw food meal together ....

Hawaii sounds so magical... I've never been but have always wanted to go. I love the idea of how everyone shares with each other and all the moms keep tabs on all the neighborhood kids.. that's how it should be!

[Vivafree2]

When i hav bad day or things are getting wrong way - i call my friend and say "I am moving to Hawaii"
I always assicuated Hawaii with some sort of destination to make all things better and live in paradise.
Thank you Star for this post - and the pic is wonderful. I would like to visit one day!

[StarFire]

Well I was enjoying this Thread until I read this and I can't let it slip through.
You might know Kona but My Friend you are confused about L.A. So you are where you want to be so leave Los Angeles, California out of it. I LOVE CALIFORNIA and people are moving here Every Day to have a Day in L.A. Or did you mean Louisana?


Spicyfull... we are NOT dis'sing Los Angeles or California. I have family there - and actually --- I lived in California for over 30 YEARS. I worked in LA... and PASADENA... I travelled the freeways from Riverside to LA everyday going to work at a Law Firm in downtown LA.... so -- I KNOW CALIFORNIA. I hung out in Santa Monica... Malibu, Venice Beach, NewPort Beach, Costa Mesa, Laguna.... my husband is a very well know blues musician and many of our friends live in Malibu canyon.... I've hung out at the House of Blues, BB Kings.... he's played some of the finest venues in the LA Scene... believe me I know California.
so -- yes.. California has some AMAZING PLACES... BEAUTIFUL COASTLINES... AWESOME BEACHES... AND some wonderful people....
it's an incredible place to be raw... so many wonderful restaurants... you can get just about any kind of exotic fruit or veggie imaginable... (you just gotta look around....)

each place in this world has something wonderful and special about it... this is true - so please do not think we are dissing your LA in anyway....

we are simply stating a fact... we do not have 'smog alerts' where people are advised to stay indoors... we do not have weeks on end of burning eyes, and yellow sky... we do not have freeways - with 5 to 6 lanes of traffic PACKED with cars (going both directions) --- moving at 5 mph - if you move at all during rush hour... we do not have road rage... we do not have the intense population, nor do we have the crime rate.

so -- it's a trade off... I opted to come home, the Corporate world was killing my spirit. Everyone has their 'place' ... where they belong. I belong here. THIS is my home... a simpler life, more slower paced, more rustic, that's all.... and truth be told... on the worst day of our VOG... is nothing even close to LA's worst day of SMOG. I've been in both places... this however... is just my opinion.

but you are right.... LA -- is a wonderful place... it's just not for me.

and luna99.... we're not just doin one smoothie girl.... it will be a day of stuffing ourselves with exotic yumminess!!!

and Vivafree2... lemme know when you will be visiting!!! RAWk on!

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/dagurl.gif

[MOTH]

Starfire! Thanks again for your indepth reply, and it's good to know that the VOG isn't as bad as I initially thought. I'm still not sure what UH campus I'm going to go to; I believe my major will be anthropology and UH Manoa has a top notch anthropology program, from what I'm reading. Can you tell me any good things about Honolulu and Oahu in terms of rawness? I know it's a big city, but that doesn't bother me too much, as I'm sure there are beautiful sights and scents all around. I have to admit I am more drawn to the Big Island; I will have to do more research on UH Hilo and check out their anthropology program.

Oh, and can you tantalize me by telling me what types of exotic fruit you have there? Can you get unsprayed young coconuts? The bananas? Papayas and pineapple? I'm SUCH a fruit lover, and I've been wanting to eat coconuts but don't want to buy the sprayed ones that come into the area where I'm at right now (massachusetts).

Please tempt me with tales of fruity and coconut goodness! :D

[StarFire]

Moth... you are sooo cute!! heheheee!!

well.. Oahu is a wonderful and beautiful island.. but it is the most populated of all our islands. As far as raw restaurants -- I'm not sure if there are any there... I haven't heard of any. I still have family there - but they are into the traditional Hawaiian / Japanese foods.... raw food is not in their vocabulary I'm afraid - other than fruit!

I'm sure that there are some places where you MUST beable to get some fresh fruit there.... possibly along the North shore.... where the population is a little more sparse....

Now the location where the Manoa campus is -- omg... it's amazing... just BEAUTIFUL!!! I've only been thru there a couple of times and it was awesome! if you surf -- there's GREAT surfing over on Oahu!! ;)

now as far as exotic fruit.... I really wish I could tell you what's available on Oahu -- but alas - I just don't know! But I do know that as you drive around the island... there are these cute little stands with fresh organic fruit out in the driveway with a sign that says... $1.00 - honor system! With a coffee can and you just take the fruit -- and leave the money! Now how cool is that???

Now... OVER HERE... I can tell you... unsprayed coconuts -- girl - you can pick them right from the TREE!!!! There are places all over the island where papayas, bananas, coconuts are growing wild -- and you can just pick!! Pineapple is soooo easy to grow... cut off the tops - let them dry - and stick them in the ground!! that simple! Our soil is sooo rich - anything you stick in the ground will grow! it's amazing!!

In the house we are moving to (until the house is completed on our land)... there are 6 mango trees, 3 breadfruit trees, I cannot even count how many coconut trees are there... but A LOT... mountain apple trees, and several avocado trees... and several banana trees.... (apple banana variety) which have a sweet/kinda tart taste --- super delicious!!

where we are right now -- we have lychee trees, several papaya trees and banana trees right off of our lanai!! All of this fruit is ALL organic --- unsprayed and soooooo delicious!!

PLUS... at farmers market -- you can also get lots of organic fruit ... dragon fruit, (HUGE) papayas, longan, lychee, mangosteen, pineapple, cherimoya, durian, ice cream bean (tastes just like vanilla ice cream!) rambutan, avocados, lemons, limes, tangelos, tangerines, oranges, kumquats, watermelon and fresh picked young coconuts!! and I may have even left a few things out!!! :D

are you tantalized yet http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii159/stampincanada/Occassionals/Smileys%20and%20Stuff/Drool.gif ??? heheheeee!!

this is exotic fruit heaven girl!!! http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/hugs-2.gif

[MOTH]

Starfire, you are WONDERFUL! Thanks for being so helpful and encouraging! This will be a big move for me (living in Massachusetts now) and I'll likely be making it alone, with the exception of Icarus my dog, so I appreciate all the love and support! I've done a lot of research on taking my pet with me to Hawaii, and I've already begun the process of making sure his vaccine history is in order and microchipped, following the checklist provided by the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, etc. It will be great to take my fur-friend with me to the Big Island, worth every penny.

...because YES, Big Island is where I'm being called! I got some information about UH Hilo in the mail recently and looking over it again, I was ecstatic to see that anthropology is offered as a major at Hilo too! So I'm going to go with my heart on this one. I ABSOLUTELY cannot pass up all the tempting fruit tales you've provided me with! It's a dream of mine to live in such a paradise...OMG I can hardly wait! I have a lot of saving up to do because I'm not sure what type of loan I'll be able to get, but I am sooo EXCITED! My parents are supportive of me moving to Hawaii for college as well.

Now I just have to work hard (I'm in the flowers department at Whole Foods here in Mass) and save save save and MAYBE if the gods are smiling upon me, I can make it there in six months to a year! It doesn't seem like that long of a time at all to wait, but I can hardly stand it. :D

I've even started saying ALOHA in my daily greetings, just to help me carry the dream along. :o

THANK YOU!

[MOTH]

I was happy to read that the Department of Agriculture in Hawaii offers a 'five days or less' quarantine for pet parents who follow the checklist. Yay! If the checklist is in order and all the documents are there, Icarus will be available for direct release to me whenever we fly in. :)

I have fantasies of jogging with him all over the Big Island!

[zig_zag]

zig zag... where is the farm located? Are you in the puna district? anywhere near Opihikao? That is an amazing area - very tropical, and the shore line is magical! Lots of Honu (sea turtles come and rest on the black sand beaches!)

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/Vacation.gif

Aloha StarFire, apparantly they are " situated on the eastern edge of the volcanic rift zone of Hawaii" close to the village of "Kapoho", which is "just down the road"... Know anything about this area? I would love to know anything you can share- I don't even know what to anticipate! At the moment Hawaii is still something that only belongs to my surreal fantasies;)

[rawgreenyogini]

Moth... you are sooo cute!! heheheee!!

well.. Oahu is a wonderful and beautiful island.. but it is the most populated of all our islands. As far as raw restaurants -- I'm not sure if there are any there... I haven't heard of any. I still have family there - but they are into the traditional Hawaiian / Japanese foods.... raw food is not in their vocabulary I'm afraid - other than fruit!

I'm sure that there are some places where you MUST beable to get some fresh fruit there.... possibly along the North shore.... where the population is a little more sparse....

Now the location where the Manoa campus is -- omg... it's amazing... just BEAUTIFUL!!! I've only been thru there a couple of times and it was awesome! if you surf -- there's GREAT surfing over on Oahu!! ;)

now as far as exotic fruit.... I really wish I could tell you what's available on Oahu -- but alas - I just don't know! But I do know that as you drive around the island... there are these cute little stands with fresh organic fruit out in the driveway with a sign that says... $1.00 - honor system! With a coffee can and you just take the fruit -- and leave the money! Now how cool is that???

Now... OVER HERE... I can tell you... unsprayed coconuts -- girl - you can pick them right from the TREE!!!! There are places all over the island where papayas, bananas, coconuts are growing wild -- and you can just pick!! Pineapple is soooo easy to grow... cut off the tops - let them dry - and stick them in the ground!! that simple! Our soil is sooo rich - anything you stick in the ground will grow! it's amazing!!

In the house we are moving to (until the house is completed on our land)... there are 6 mango trees, 3 breadfruit trees, I cannot even count how many coconut trees are there... but A LOT... mountain apple trees, and several avocado trees... and several banana trees.... (apple banana variety) which have a sweet/kinda tart taste --- super delicious!!

where we are right now -- we have lychee trees, several papaya trees and banana trees right off of our lanai!! All of this fruit is ALL organic --- unsprayed and soooooo delicious!!

PLUS... at farmers market -- you can also get lots of organic fruit ... dragon fruit, (HUGE) papayas, longan, lychee, mangosteen, pineapple, cherimoya, durian, ice cream bean (tastes just like vanilla ice cream!) rambutan, avocados, lemons, limes, tangelos, tangerines, oranges, kumquats, watermelon and fresh picked young coconuts!! and I may have even left a few things out!!! :D

are you tantalized yet http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii159/stampincanada/Occassionals/Smileys%20and%20Stuff/Drool.gif ??? heheheeee!!

this is exotic fruit heaven girl!!! http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/hugs-2.gif

Hey for someone who can't eat fruit you sure do talk about it alot!!! Hee hee hee.......

I'm hungry now! Thanks.

[StarFire]

Aloha StarFire, apparantly they are " situated on the eastern edge of the volcanic rift zone of Hawaii" close to the village of "Kapoho", which is "just down the road"... Know anything about this area? I would love to know anything you can share- I don't even know what to anticipate! At the moment Hawaii is still something that only belongs to my surreal fantasies;)


OMG... KAPOHO.... THE BEST PAPAYAS IN THE WORLD... they call them Stawberry Papayas or RAINBOW papayas... they are HUGE... just slightly smaller than a football!!! The fruit meat has a slight pink tinge to it and it is fabulous!!! I know a farmer down there... it will be interesting to see if you end up on his farm! Very cool guy! Kapoho is very beautiful... the beaches are rugged, amazing, black sand beaches, the community down there is very into raw living... very laid back super cool attitudes... they might deal with some VOG down there - being close to MaMa Pele and all... but the tradewinds are always blowin!

the terrain in some places is jungly, in others youve got lava fields -- at some of the higher elevation you will see lichen growing on the lava, lots of Ohia trees, and other incredible plants Be warned though -- when it rains -- WHEW!! IT RAAAAINS!! but I love the rain! but it can be pretty trippy to see it raining so hard!! it's quite an experience! I think you will really enjoy it! We loooove Kapoho... We used to own 10 acres in Opihikao - just a little ways from Kapoho. We sold it to purchase the property we have now. I'm not sure how the coqui frogs are down there -- in some places there is an infestation of them.... and omg they are so loud! Cute little buggers though! they are soo tiny - about the size of a dime or smaller... and the males call out -- KO-keee..KOkeee... this frog is from Puerto Rico -came in on a ship and literally began to infest the island... There's a huge move to try and irradicate them because they are not an indigenous species... I dunno... they are so cute - but then again - I don't have to listen to them all night either!
but -- I think you will love Kapoho... it's pretty awesome!

and raw green yogini... I know... so sad isnt' it... all that fruit -- I swear -- and you know - cuz you've lived in Hawaii.... I'm in exotic fruit heaven... and all I can do is stare at it!! what's up with that????? !!!! :eek:

Moth... I'm so glad you said you felt called to Big Island!! Cuz that's how the true test is... whether or not you actually feel it in your heart. Yes it's an awesome wonderful place... but to move here just for those reasons is not enough. It's hard to explain... other than to say - unless you are called here... you cannot understand. But if you ARE called here.. you know that deep feeling in your heart... your spirit... it's beautiful isn't it? Your little furry baby will be happy here too!! If you need a kennel -- Barking Dog kennel in Keaau is the VERY best on the island. I think they have a website too. When we moved home - that's where our kitty stayed.
We'll hook up when you get here! RAWk on!


http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/Frangipani3.jpg

[rawgreenyogini]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc65/ljh7171/Emotional%20emotions/drooling.gif And you know sweet mama that papayas are my absolute favorite!

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc65/ljh7171/040116074219.jpg

[plucked]

Moth, Starfire,

Can I just say THANK YOU for this thread/discussion?! I am feeling a call for down there, and also thinking of transferring to a school down there. I've never been, but its time for a change of pace (slower, warmer would be good!).

So thank you, both of you, this has been inspirational as well as informative.

I'll buy you all rounds of smoothies if I can make my way down there. :D :p

[spicyfull]

StarFire......I don't want to keep this thing going..I just want to let you know that we do not have Smog Alerts or Burning Eyes anymore. Our Freeways are Still a MESS most of the time. We are Working hard to Clean our Air and its Working. Have a RAW Day.

[zig_zag]

Dear Starfire, thank you so much for your fruitful (no pun intended) response!!! I ALWAYS enjoy your posts, and I'm so envious of your images and emoticons hehehe:p If you could offer any insight into the weather, or what type of clothing I should pack, I'd be soooooooooooo greatful!!!! I'm from NYC... A bit different over here... I admittedly don't even own a pair of sandals and just wear converse sneakers all summer!!I'm guess I may have to kick this habit for Hawaii? Should I pack jeans or shorts (most of my jeans are tight- will I live)? Does it get stifling hot over there during the summers? Am I overthinking much? Hahaha... Thank you, Starfire:D

[Ginger]

Starfire I will be your neighbor soon as our house sells! :D

[SheLovesToEat]

I was also considering moving halfway across the planet...and one thing that crossed my mind was...well, knowing what food prices are like in Hawaii in general, wouldn't being a raw vegan be cheaper than eating SAD? Because you could get everything locally grown.


yeah... when i lived in hawaii i wasnt raw at the time but i ate more fruits and veg than i ever did and it was LOADS cheaper to eat if you ate from the trees and the land. i was about 80% raw because i loved the shrimp farms not far from my house. LOL
but i was eating lots of exotic fruits and veg. i think i lived more cheaply in hawaii than another place because eating was so low cost.

i had a neighbor who was raw and he spent ZERO money on food. he got everything he needed from the land. i was always envious of him.

AND STARFIRE! .... i am moving BACK there at some point! i never saw this thread before and now that i have read what you wrote..i am missing Hawaii more than ever. LOL

[RawHeaven]

i had a neighbor who was raw and he spent ZERO money on food. he got everything he needed from the land. i was always envious of him.



sounds like heaven to me -- living off the land.

[SheLovesToEat]

sounds like heaven to me -- living off the land.


yeah it was amazing to me..... he NEVER went to the grocery store. he ate loads of coconuts and mangos and papayas and any greens he could get his hands on. he never spent money on food because he could get it free off the trees. in a place like hawaii there is SO much around you if you know where to look you can get alot from the land.
his only kitchen tool was a machette for the coconuts LOL.
sometimes i would be working on my computer and i would see him come home with a pickup truck load of coconuts and other fruits he managed to find.
i still have memories of seeing him and his mother carrying all that stuff into the house. he ate alot of young coconuts too...i think sometimes 4 or 5 a day. to walk into his house you would see coconuts piled high in his living room LOL. he would take them outside to open and then bring them in to eat.
there is just so much there in hawaii....and ALL the time because of the climate. i dont know that you could do the same here on the mainland.

maybe in california but you would have to have places to go to find stuff.
in hawaii there are lots of wild places to go to forage things.

i do miss living there.