Liquor business rises from pineapple, sugar cane

It’s a good thing for Hawaii’s legacy agricultural crops that they have a big yield in sugar. In one case, of course, the crop is sugar cane itself, but pineapple is among the fruits with the highest sugar content.

The reason? Sugar produces alcohol. And there’s still a lucrative market for that stuff. The latest development is that LeVecke Corp., which makes PAU Maui Vodka, has bought Hali‘imaile Pineapple Co.’s farm and will continue to grow pine under the Maui Gold name.

And as for King Sugar, there are now niche labels of Hawaii rum being made with homegrown sucrose. Drink up, folks.

A temporary gas shortage in high-priced Hana

People who live in Hana surely love their home, but it comes with a price: the cost of gas among them.

The spotlight shines on gas right now because the Maui town’s only station is closed for the Chevron-to-Texaco rebranding that’s gone on statewide. Until it reopens May 25, people have to fill up at a Maui Oil truck.

On top of the inconvenience, a gallon of regular costs $5.48. So tourists who get 25 miles per gallon will spend more than $20 in gas for the nearly 100-mile drive from Wailuku to Hana and back. It’s another reason residents probably don’t want to leave.