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My earliest memories of Christmas include boxes sent from Hawaii. My mom moved to the Midwest as a young teacher and each year ohana would send food not available in the heartland: arare (Japanese rice crackers), crack seed (li hing mui), furicake, inari age, Kona coffee and the most coveted of all, Hawaiian Host chocolate-covered macadamia nuts. We would get about 10 boxes of these treats from various aunties and uncles, and the house rule was that we were only allowed to eat one or two boxes. The rest would be omiyage/gifts for our Wisconsin friends. So unfair! We also would get the coolest Hawaiian t-shirts that we’d wear to school on the first day back after break. Mahalos to cousins Millie and Curt in Holualoa Town (iso peanuts!) and to and in Wailuku (a Kahala aloha shirt!) for the big haul this year. This warms my heart and brings back fond memories. My mom will be so thrilled when we all gather tomorrow. Mele Kalikimaka!

Congratulations to Chef Jason Alston on his new space for !

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Another great mention by !

More love for Cook Real Hawai’i, this time from the !

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Looks like my holiday season begins today! Domo arigato gozaimasu to for this lovely cocktail gift! The box from came beautifully packed and we’re so excited to try the . Cheers!