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Did you know that the original shave ice, brought to Hawaii by Japanese immigrants who worked the plantations, was delivered in just one flavor, strawberry?
We learned this because Kapaa High School digital media students did the research for a report for Hiki No, the statewide student news network, which airs on PBS Hawaii.
Students interviewed a longtime Kauai shave ice lover who recalled the days of strawberry-only and shared her take on today’s diverse incarnations. Those include several Kauai makers profiled, from a seasoned veteran who sticks with traditional syrups in an array of flavors to younger entrepreneurs experimenting with fresh produce for syrups and toppings.
“It’s harder, it’s more labor-intensive,” Jesse Merle-Jones of Wishing Well Shave Ice said in the segment, about using organic, seasonal Kauai fruits for their treat. “A lot goes into it, and that’s why when you come up with a good flavor, you’re really proud of it.”
The piece was the result of hard work by two Kapaa student teams over two semesters. Though it ran last week, it’s not too late to see what else the budding reporters, videographers and editors discovered. Visit the station’s website, PBSHawaii.org/hikino.
It’s the lead report in an episode that also features pieces by Waianae Intermediate School, Waiakea High School, Hongwanji Mission School, James Campbell High School and Hana K-12 School.
Hiki No comprises 86 public, private and charter schools across the state. Visit Facebook.com/hikinocando.
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