Ono Kine Grindz

I’ll admit, I’m rather jealous of the ono kine grindz being served for lunch at Hakipuu school. The Department of Education recently approved a new Hawaiian lunch menu, and it’s a hit! According to KGMB9 article, “Hawaiian Food in School fro Lunch” (is “fro” a pun, because I don’t get it! Otherwise, oops! Typo!), options include:

Lawalu mahimahi, ‘ulu chicken burger, limu salad, poi, and more.

Wow! I don’t even know what all of those things are, but they sound a lot better than mystery meat. But beyond the obvious perks of this cultural addition to public school cafeterias (including better tasting food, more nutrition, and an awareness of the Hawaiian culture), what I approve in this scenario is BUY HAWAII!

Though the official government campaign no longer exists (see my previous post!), the concept will always be in my mind and in my heart: support local retailers to keep local money in the local economy. The onolicious lunches at Hakipuu are provided by Hale Kealoha Ai Pono, a family business that, in the words of Kaniala Smith (part of the Ai Pono Ohana),

[Wants] to promote healthier living through [the Hawaiian] culture.

Kaniala truly embodies this mission, and said:

As long as they have a smile on their face when they’re finished eating and enjoy what they eat, that’s my favorite part. Just to see people smile.

With a genuine aloha spirit, Kaniala’s food business is definitely a worthy candidate of consumers’ support, just like the other small, local businesses that compose Hawaii’s economy. It’s great to know that we can help support our neighbors and fellow kamaaina while sending our keiki to school. Let’s keep up the BUY HAWAII spirit! Shoots cuz, we go.