There’s ‘gold’ in them thar trees

As concern about food sustainability has grown, one effect has been for people to consider what kinds of things actually can be eaten. 

And guess what? Those thorny, scraggly kiawe trees that are so common along our leeward coasts are one of those plants that fit that bill.

Local beekeepers already know that kiawe trees produce some of the state’s best honey, but now we learn their bean pods can be made into flour.

In fact, a community group in Waianae, ‘Ai Pohaku, has been making a kiawe bean flour for some time now (Wai‘anae Gold), and two students from Nanakuli, Ipo Kea and Ka‘ualani Cariaga, used it in a dessert recipe to earn a win in a healthy-snack contest presented last week by Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa.

They called it PALS Coconut ‘Aina Treats, with "PALS" being a nod to the Program for Afterschool Literacy Support program that they attend at Nanakuli High and Intermediate School.

Pretty tasty treat, apparently, and no thorns.

Hearing should be educational

State lawmakers from the House and Senate higher education committees had better prepare for an earful.

The informational briefing on the University of Hawaii’s supplemental budget request starts at 9 a.m. today. Topics on the agenda include athletics, the UH Cancer Center, UH-West Oahu, the College of Pharmacy, deferred maintenance, the UH Palamanui campus and the Office of Internal Audit.

Conference room 309 has been reserved for the whole day. Forget Christmas shopping.