[ISLAND HOPPING]
Coffee takes center stage
The Big Island Farm Fair offers something new this year -- Ag Tent 2001 -- featuring a walk-through diversified Kona coffee farm. The annual carnival will celebrate the agriculture industry Thursday through Sunday at the Old Kona Airport State Park in Kailua-Kona.Fair goers can visit a "coffee shack" with farmers involved in the daily routine of coffee production. The coffee farm shows the complete coffee production process, from picking coffee beans to hulling and roasting the beans to sampling the product.
In addition to the coffee, the exhibit will show how diversified agriculture works. The farm features exotic florals like anthuriums and dendrobiums and vegetables like asparagus. There will be mac nut trees and the opportunity to hull, crack and taste mac nuts. The Big Island Farm Bureau will also be selling Meadow Gold ice cream made with Big Island vanilla.
Admission is $2.50 for adults; $1.50 children ages 4 to 12; and free for keiki 3 and under. For information, call the Big Island Farm Bureau at (808) 969-4876.
No. 1 for honeymoons
More than 2,200 American Society of Travel Agents pooled their knowledge to name Hawaii the No. 1 honeymoon destination in the "World's Best Honeymoon Awards."The results of the survey will be published in the December/January issue of Modern Bride magazine, which will be on newsstands next month.
Comfy beach camping
Molokai Ranch & Lodge has extended its Kama'aina Adventure Getaway Package at Kaupoa Beach Village.Rates of $129 per person per night, double occupancy, will now be valid through Dec. 21. The package includes accommodations, all meals and one of the following activities each day: half-day mountain biking, guided Hawaiian cultural walk, kayaking, archery, half-day children's program, Ocean Expeditions or a $30 credit toward another activity or a 50-minute massage. Children 12 and under stay and eat free with a paying adult.
Kaupoa Beach Village features upscale tent accommodations on a double-crescent beach. Each canvas bungalow is mounted on a wooden platform with a queen-sized bed, solar-powered lights, private bathroom with shower, and a spacious lanai. Meals are served in an oceanfront open-air dining pavilion.
A valid local ID is required for the reservation and certain restrictions and blackout dates may apply. For information, call toll-free 1 (877) PANIOLO (726-4656) or visit the Web site www.molokairanch.com.