By George F. Lee, Star-Bulletin
Raven's Revenge tablets and tubes go for $1.25 to $1.49.
Ten-year-olds have sworn each other to secrecy about where to find the crystalline substance that is Raven's Revenge. It's too rare a commodity to be telling just anyone. But our readers are somebody, so we're telling. Colorful candy is sweet revenge
What is Raven's Revenge? Think Pixie Sticks, sugar enhanced by food coloring and tart, fruity flavors. But Pixie Sticks were never packaged in cool, see-through plastic test tubes. The clear tubes reveal alternating layers of color, reminiscent of the sand paintings that once passed for Hawaiian art in Waikiki tourist shops.
The varieties have dark names like Black 'n Blue (fruit punch flavor), Ghastly Green (sour apple flavor) and Suicide Punch (mixed fruit flavor).
And unlike a Snickers bar or Tic Tac, Raven's Revenge comes with a legend. It seems the damsel Penelope developed a secret potion and was killed by those trying to steal her formula. But her spirit transformed into a raven that today seeks to crush all that is evil, uncool and just plain sucky.
After a month on the market, sales have "way more than doubled," said Jonathan Lyau of distributer A.C. Lyau.
But Raven's Revenge is made by a small Glendale, Calif., company, and demand is definitely outstripping supply. Lyau said he's still waiting for his next shipment.
Raven's Revenge also has appeared in pill form, dubbed "Power Tabs." And there is "The Bomb," an explosive treat in beautiful blue-black fizzes and turns into a wicked black foam on contact with the tongue. "The Cherry Bomb" is blood red and turns a fizzy black. Definitely cool, but watch for the staining effect in case you have a big court date or business deal coming up.
Some places offering Raven's Revenge products are The Candy Company in Ward Centre, Cosmic Candy, Nuuanu Snack Shop, Carousel Candyland in Kahala Mall, Aikahi Park Chevron and Sagara Store in Waialua.
By Nadine Kam, Star-Bulletin