Meet Our Hawaiian Ginger Connection – Kolo Kai Organic Farm
When it’s cold and wintery or any time of the year, do you dream about a getaway to somewhere warm, tropical and in the land of rainbows?
Somewhere with caressing breezes, turquoise waters and your toes in sandy beaches. With fragrant plumeria flowers, swaying palm trees and ocean waves. Where tropical drinks, fresh sweet pineapple, papaya, coconut, ginger and lemongrass indulge your taste buds.
plumeria flowers, coconut trees & turmeric fields, ginger plants
Making sandcastles, playing in the shallow reefs, relaxing under a big umbrella or learning the hula – these are the tastes, flavors and experiences of Hawai’I, the Aloha state.
Seeking that lifestyle, I landed on the garden island of Kaua’i where I met Colette and Ben Ferris. They are the founders and owners of Kolo Kai Organic Farm, one of the few organic farms to grow ginger and turmeric in the United States.
2nd & 3rd generation on the farm, ginger fields ready for harvest, harvesting sweet potatoes
Colette and Ben told me their story, “It all began in 1980 when we started growing organic fruits and vegetables mainly to supply ourselves and our family with healthy food. As time went on, we started growing more produce and began selling at a few local farmer’s markets.”
turmeric fields, 2nd & 3rd generation harvesting sweet potatoes, turmeric fields
When I asked why this is so important, they answered, “Our mission can be tracked back to why we are farmers in the first place, because we take pride in providing people with good food that promotes a healthy lifestyle.”
Kolo Kai Organic Farm grows white, yellow and Galangal or Thai gingers and turmeric. They ship these fresh to you, stores and coops on the mainland USA and in Canada. Different seasons yields different gingers ensuring at least one variety of ginger available year-round.
ginger, star fruit, 3rd generation washing sweet potatoes
When you visit Kaua’I, you can also find their other seasonal basil, herbs, sweet potatoes, vegetables, Key limes, papayas, avocados, apple bananas and varieties of liliko’i or passion fruit available available at the County of Kauai’s Thursday Farmer’s Market in Kilauea when it reopens after COVID-19. Oh, how I love apple bananas and sunrise papayas.
Looking for fresh tropical juices and products using Kaua’I Kolo Kai Organic Farm’s ginger and turmeric? During your visit or online try Akamai Juice Company in Hanalei, Kaua’I Farmacy in Kilauea, Kalalea Juice Hale in Anahola, Kaua’I Gold and Slow Island Food and Beverage Co.
fresh avocados, turmeric, ginger plants and coconut trees in the wind
After moving back to the mainland, I longed for some aloha from Hawai’i. Why not add Kolo Kai Organic Farm’s ginger into my soap? Thus, Aloha Soap was born. Sure, I could have used a ginger fragrance, essential oil or ginger from a nearby store, but their ginger is different. After seeing and understanding how they farm, knowing their values and enjoying their fresh organic produce for years, I admit I’m bias. They just farm with so much love and care cultivating produce that looks and tastes amazing.
Kolo Kai Organic Farm’s ginger in my Aloha Soap adds a wonderful side note alongside the soft and silky coconut milk and cocoa butter that feels luxurious on your skin. You will love how the intermingling of lemongrass essential oil and their ginger delicately float to your nose and temporarily transport you to Hawai’i.
There is always plenty of fresh Kolo Kai Organic Farm ginger in my home. We use it for cooking, baking and making tea or candied ginger. Yes, you can enjoy their gingers and turmeric too.
To purchase or learn more about Kolo Kai Organic Farm, visit them online at KoloKaiOrganicFarm.com
Email: KoloKaiOrganicFarm@gmail.comSnail Mail: Kolo Kai Organic Farm, PO Box 211, Kilauea, HI 96754
Fun Facts: Did you know there are at least 37 meanings to the world-wide Hawaiian word, aloha?
Aloha is used often in Hawai’I and brings a smile to just about everyone’s faces.
The Hawaiian dictionary Manomano, aloha is defined as “love, affection, compassion, mercy, sympathy, pity, kindness, sentiment, grace, charity; greeting, salutation, regards; sweetheart, lover, loved one; beloved, loving, kind, compassionate, charitable, lovable; to love, be fond of; to show kindness, mercy, pity, charity, affection; to venerate; to remember with affection; to greet, hail. Greetings! Hello! Good-by! Farewell! Alas!”.
No wonder why we all seem to have such a special fondness for the word, aloha.
Aloha to you my friends,
Cynthia
Good for the earth. Good for you.
