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The Tastes of Hawaii – Recipes From Kauai’s Old Plantation Days – Chocolate Mint Mudslide Cookies

Lucy Adams, RS — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:30:21 +0000

Week 27—Chocolate Mint Mudslide Cookies!

Chocolate Mint Mudslide Cookie Recipe

3/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp. cake flour
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1/8 tsp. salt
1 Tbsp. powdered instant coffee
1 Tbsp. boiling water
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. peppermint extract
7 oz. unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped
8 Tbsp. unsalted butter
6 oz. bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
7 large eggs
2-3/4 cups sugar
2 cups chopped walnuts
1-1/2 cups chocolate chips

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray cookie sheets with cooking spray, or line them with parchment paper. Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt into a bowl and set aside. Combine the instant coffee and boiling water to make a paste. Blend in the vanilla extract. Melt the unsweetened chocolate, chopped bittersweet chocolate, and butter in a saucepan over low heat, or in a bowl in the microwave in 15-to-20 second intervals. Gently stir to blend. In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat together the eggs, sugar, peppermint extract, and coffee paste mixture on high speed until light in texture and thick, 6-8 minutes.

Add the chocolate mixture with the machine running on medium speed. On low speed, mix in the dry ingredients until just blended. Mix in the walnuts and chocolate chips until blended. Scrape down the bowl as needed during mixing to blend evenly.

Using a 1/4 cup measure or a small ice cream scoop, fill with the dough, level it and drop onto a prepared cookie sheet, leaving 3-4 inches between the cookies. In batches, bake the cookies until they are cracked on top but still slightly moist, rotating the pans as necessary to bake the cookies evenly, around 14 minutes. Allow the cookies to cool slightly on the baking sheet before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.

As mentioned in my first recipe blog, Hawaii is a wonderful mix of cultures and each of these peoples brought with them their customs and foodsduring the early plantation days. Because we have this rich Hawaiian heritage, I started this running blog that features recipes with a Hawaiian flair. If you love collecting recipes, please check back so that you can collect your favorites.

Collecting and sharing recipes of Hawaii is our hobby, but our passion is helping people with their real estate needs.Hawaii offers some of the most beautiful islands in the world and we believe Kauai has some of the very best real estate available.

Check this Luxury Craftsman Home (MLS# 250470) in sunny Poipu. This is a 4 bed/3 bath home for the family with an additional 2 bed/1 bath legal guest house, complete with black bottom lagoon pool, security system, and unlimited views.

My sister and I work as a team to help people make their dreams come true. Please contact us with your real estate needs, we are here to assist.

Ilona Coffey, RS
808.635.1495
KauaiAgent.com

Lucy Adams, RS
808.651.5676
KauaiAgent.com

Super Bowl Sunday (2012) Double Rainbow on Kauai

Amy Marvin, RA — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 08:39:37 +0000

This rainbow was a good sign on Super Bowl Sunday! What an amazing place we live to wake up to such a beautiful sight! I guess Eli Manning and the Giants were at the end of this rainbow collecting the pot of gold!

Waihonua – Changing Kakaako’s Skyline

Caron A Ling, R, CRS — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:45:48 +0000

Right now, I am calling everyday to find a one-bedroom available at Waihonua; I keep checking the availability list, to no avail! Because of the popularity of the latest building in Kakaako, Alexander and Baldwin has become the pioneer of development in 2012. More developments have suddenly popped up.

What’s great is what this new project started; there are now rumblings of projects at Symphony Park (above Nordstrom’s) and finally some news, as I mentioned above, of the beginnings of developments in the Kamehameha Schools Art and Industrial district of Kakaako.

Changing Kakaako's skyline seems to be the trend of this ten year period, but I'm excited to see what happens to retail markets and residential with all the new development happening in this part of town

It takes years to build a building, but once someone starts, it just seems to trickle down to more and more buildings being built! You can see that with the development of Koolani, Hokua, Keola Lai, and Capitol Place. Now you see it happening all over again. It is quite an exciting time in Oahu real estate.

It’s also nice to see Alexander and Baldwin starting their next project AFTER Waihonua is built. This gives time for units to sell, the building to be built, and then focus on delivering good, quality projects, not rushing into anything. Check out this link: Kamehameha Schools and Alexander and Balwin Announce…

One more thing to love about Oahu: new projects. It’s a whole new game for buyers who haven’t been able to find anything for the past few years.

If you have any more detailed questions about anything I’ve mentioned in this blog, feel free to email me at caron@hawaiilife.com. I’d be happy to answer your questions.

Golfing and Living My Hawaii Life at the Keauhou Country Club

Michele McKinley, RS SFR — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 04:30:32 +0000

I’ve lived in North Kona on the Big Island for seven years and I had never played golf until this year. Last Sunday, I realized what a beautiful place and how reasonable the kama’aina prices are at the Keauhou Country Club on the mauka (mountain side) course. My next goal is to play from the makai (ocean side) course. That course is a little harder from what I hear, but I am ready for the challenge!

I was sitting here browsing through homes, looking at all the great deals in Kona, and stumbled on this beautiful condo (MLS# 250601) at the Country Club Villas with a lanai overlooking my next challenge….

I thought to myself, this could also be my year to buy a retirement property while prices are so low….is it wishful thinking?

I don’t think so, I just have to put my mind to it, just like I am trying to put my mind to my next challenge at the Keauhou Country Club…I can dooooo it!! It’s definitely worth trying for the serenity of my Hawaii life!

Here I go…see ya next time! Bye!

Michele McKinley

Cost of Living the Kohala Coast Resort Lifestyle – Part 2

Catherine Klug, RS — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 02:00:52 +0000

If you read my previous blog – Cost of Living the Kohala Coast Resorts Lifestyle, Part 1 – you probably got inspired by the homes and settings at Mauna Kea Resort that defined some of the resort lifestyle on the Kohala Coast. Today, I want to help you discover what’s going on just a few miles south at Mauna Lani Resort. This resort also offers exceptional amenities, recreational activities, and real estate opportunities.

Sunset at Mauna Lani Resort

Mauna Lani Resort

Mauna Lani Resort is renowed for its devotion to preserving and enhancing the cultural history of Hawaii. The resort is nationally recognized for its successful honu program, cultural activites (i.e. full moon “talk story”), indigenous plant life, and historic fishponds. This land is a 3,000 square acre luxury resort and provides a place where visitors can still seek refuge from a fast-paced world.

The name of Mauna Lani is synonymous with golf and this resort features two championship golf courses and a private beach club located between the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and the private residential developments on a protected bay with white sand and coconut palms.

The Mauna Lani Beach Club

Golf Villas

Fifteen developments within the resort provide a variety of home and condominium options, some of which are offering incredible prices. Golf Villas is set right on the golf course and features a fitness room, pool, spa, and BBQ area, and a 3 bed/3 bath (MLS# 205506) for $577,000.

The Fairways at Mauna Lani

The Fairways at Mauna Lani, located on the 4th and 12th fairways of the beautiful north course, has 7 townhomes for sale and the lowest price for the larger 2 bedroom (1,646 sq.ft.) is $469,000 (MLS# 248024). And it’s an easy walk to the Shops at Mauna Lani and the Fairmont Orchid Hotel.

The Fairways at Mauna Lani Lagoon Pool

49 Black Sand Beach

Those seeking the ultimate in luxury resort living may turn to one of the most exclusive gated communities, like 49 Black Sand Beach, where owners enjoy a private beach club and spa with a 25-meter lap pool, a tennis court, a concierge service, and a work-out facility. It overlooks the Honokaope Bay and its exotic 800-year old black sand beach.

An example of the best this resort has to offer is the 8,178 sq.ft. 6 bedroom/7 bathroom remarkable estate set right on the golf course with coastline views (MLS# 250311) offered at $8,800,000.

Come “e komo mai” and live your island dream. Come and experience Mauna Lani. Call me for a tour of the Hawaii luxury resort living. Those who thrive on activity, events, and shopping may find Waikoloa Beach Resort to be their favorite. If so, watch for my next blog!

Mauna Kea Resort Valentine’s Day Dining Options

Katie Minkus, R(BIC) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:45:05 +0000

Valentine’s Day is special…some people love it, some people hate it, some are indifferent…for me, I’m glad it gives us dining choices!

Manta at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel

The menu for Manta at the Mauna Kea Beach Resort for Valentine’s Day 2012 looks de-lish!

One of the things about living on an island in a more “remote” area such as Puako Beach, is that the dining choices are limited. Most of the choices are outstanding – don’t get me wrong – it’s just that there are only so many of them. So when a hotel like the Mauna Kea offers a different menu on a special occasion like Valentine’s Day, well… it’s hard not to make ressies!

The Coast Grille

The Coast Grille is where you’re most likely to find @Daveminkus and I. We’ve been fortunate to have been out dining a lot lately, and the simpler menu at the Coast Grille seems most appealing at the moment. And how do you pass up an entire meal accompanied by champagne??

Happy Valentine’s Day from the Big Island’s Kohala Coast!

Living in Paradise and Raising Children on the Garden Island of Kauai

Amy Marvin, RA — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 05:30:36 +0000

Every morning that I wake up on Kaua’i I give thanks to the powers that have enabled me to call this garden island my home for the last 40 years. I have traveled the world, exploring many deserted islands, amazing cities, and countrysides; there is simply nowhere that compares to this island I call home.

I have raised 5 children on a secluded stretch of beach on the north shore, completely off-the-grid. The kids had each other and the beautiful outdoors to entertain them. They would build sandcastles, make ti leaf skirts for the hula shows they would perform for us, and spend hours swimming and snorkeling in the blue lagoon that fronts our house and is protected by a barrier reef. It is like a huge aquarium with reef fish, beautiful coral, and the occasional green sea turtle, eagle ray, or Hawaiian monk seal.

One morning, we were late driving the kids to school because a huge pregnant monk seal was cuddled up to my car. My parking spot borders the sandy beach, so she did not have far to travel to get cozy with my SUV. At the west end of our property there is a stream with a small waterfall that supplies us with irrigation water and also a nice spot to rinse off the salt at the end of another day in paradise.

We are now expecting our fifth grandchild and four generations continue to enjoy our beautiful home. The perk is that my husband and I now have a very peaceful “empty nest” on our blue lagoon in between the frequent visits of children and grandchildren. It truly is heaven on earth!

My Life In Paradise on a Frank Sinatra Movie Set

Amy Marvin, RA — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:15:46 +0000

In 1965, Frank Sinatra produced and starred in a movie called “None But the Brave” at a secluded beach on the north shore of Kaua’i. While the movie was being filmed, my family purchased this little piece of paradise and waited anxiously for the completion of the film to take ownership.

Since it is far off the beaten path, has a stream for irrigation and a spring for domestic water, we went off the grid. It was totally camping in the beginning, but now we have solar and most modern conveniences. I spend every moment I can exploring the underwater world in front of my house; I pet turtles, swim with the fish, and find beautiful shells.

The above photos are of a 6-inch perfect shell I discovered diving about 30 feet offshore. These shells are VERY delicate and it is very rare to find one totally intact. Just another instance of Kaua’i magic! I love my life!

Zero Down Home Loans Available

Sharon Gerber, Senior Loan Officer — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 06:45:00 +0000

USDA/Rural Housing Loans Offer 100% Financing on Hawaii Homes

Many people are unaware that there is still 100% financing available. There are definitely eligibility requirements for the property and the borrower. To find out if you are eligible, this website is an excellent resource: http://www.eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov/eligibility/welcomeAction.do

As an example, the whole island of Kauai is considered rural. This does not mean that every property on Kauai is eligible for this loan, but does broaden the liklihood that a property would be eligible. Condos are also eligible as long as they are already on an approved government list, such as VA or FHA.

Income eligibility is a key piece as well. The income guidelines are generous. I recently closed a USDA/RH loan for a single borrower that makes just under $50,000 per year.

For more information, or if you have any questions, please contact me.

Festival Of Quilts – Saturday, Feb. 4 in Waimea, Big Island

Dan Fumento, R(S) and Marion Fumento R(S) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:15:56 +0000

The annual Cherry Blossom Festival takes place this Saturday, Feb. 4th in Waimea. A part of the agenda is the Festival of Quilts, which will take place in the Kahilu Hall from 9 am to 3 pm. Kahilu Hall is located right across from the Kahilu Theater near the post office.

“Tropical Bamboo” by Marion Fumento will be on exhibit

The Festival of Quilts will feature handcrafted quilts from the Quilt Clubs of Northern Hawaii. Marion Fumento is a member of the Anuenue Quilt club, which has selected three of her quilts for the exhibit. Attendees will see a wide variety of quilts and styles, so please stop by.

For more information, please contact Lorane Elliot at 808.775.1137 or hawaiiwoman@aol.com, or call Dorothy Badua at 808.775.9894.