Hawaii

If you’ve ever searched for Hawaiian vanilla, you may have come across this page for Maui Island Vanilla. Unfortunately, this page is just an example maintained by a web developer. MauiIslandVanilla.com no longer exists (it’s now a spam site).

I tracked down Mike and Luluk Rich, formerly of Maui Island Vanilla, to find out if anyone was still running the vanilla plantation.

According to Mike, the vanilla business ended in 2002. Land and labor costs in Hawaii made it unfeasible.

Mike suggested Hawaiian Vanilla Company as a source, but they only sell single beans to individuals. I recommend you contact Clare at Huahua Farm on the Big Island — if the timing is right, you might be able to buy some vanilla beans from her.

Luluk and Mike Rich, formerly Maui Island Vanilla:
Used without permission: source, original.

Website: huahuafarm.com
Vanilla beans reviewed: Hawaii planifolia vanilla “A” and “B”.
Cost: $15 for 4 “A” beans, including shipping.

You might be able to buy a few Hawaiian vanilla beans from Huahua Farm on the Big Island of Hawaii. New crops are generally available in May. Read the rest of this entry »

Website: http://www.hawaiianvanilla.com/

If you’re visiting the Hawaiian Vanilla Company, would you please contact me — I need help buying some of these vanilla beans.

Vanilla is grown commercially in very small quantities on the Big Island of Hawaii. You can buy expensive bottles containing one ($10) or three ($25) vanilla beans from the Hawaiian Vanilla Company.

Jim Reddekopp at the Hawaiian Vanilla Company says that their vanilla sells to local restaurants and hotels so fast that there’s no bulk beans left for me (or you!). I recommend that you contact Clare at Huahua Farm, also on the Big Island. If the timing is right, you might be able to buy some vanilla beans from her.

Thanks to Hawaiian Vanilla Company for providing some photos of their vanilla plantation.

Click read more for a new reader report on these beans.
Read the rest of this entry »