Mei!

The month of Mei is our favorite month.  Why?  Because we feature your favorites from throughout the year; the most popular stories as rated by our website traffic.

Consider this edition the “People’s Choice Awards” for everything really made in Hawaii.

Here’s the breakdown:

#1:  Alii Lavender Co. ~ Located in Maui, this wonderful smelling company produces a large selection of Lavender inspired products.  Our audience was mostly drawn to their lavender infused chocolate – and no wonder, it’s pretty incredible.  We suggest this as a gift item for your favorite co-workers, or yourself,  locked away with no intruders – although chocolate this yummy is best shared, you’ll forever be known as a good friend.

#2:  Coffees of Hawaii ~ one of our first finds for great coffee.  Located on the amazing, incredible, undiscovered, pristine and blissful island of Molokai (we love this island, obviously).  Molokai offers some of the best coffee of all our island chains.  Easy website to order from, and they now offer coffee assortments from the outer islands.

#3:  LEE Photo – It’s Magic ~  Lee has received thousands of hits.  His personal take on one of the most beautiful beaches on the Big Island of Hawaii has gained him some great fans and buyers, but still the guy refuses to be taken in by it all and continues to ride his bike to the beach with camera in-tow only on the days that suit him.  Go Lee – really, GO LEE!  Sometimes you can lead the horse to water but you can’t make them drink. Go figure.  If you’re lucky enough to get one of his books, make sure he autographs it for you ’cause these books are already legend at Magic Sands Beach.

#4:   Art by Shannon Weaver ~  Our viewers not only crowded her page when we first posted this article, but it has been re-visited thousands after that and continues to rank within the top 5 on Really Hawaiian.com.   One of her main focus is on the Lei.  So, for Mei – when May 1st is the official Lei Day, we are honoring Shannon for her beautiful visions of the Hawaiian Lei.

#5: Glow Hawaii ~  We were surprised to learn that so many of our viewers are interested in food and catering in Hawaii.  When we first met Faith Ogawa, owner of Glow Hawaii, it was at a wedding in Waimea on the Big Island. Faith is one of those special people who creates award winning events from her environment – everything is really Hawaiian and infused with her spirit for the culture of Hawaii.

#6:   Aikane Plantation Coffee ~ Phil Becker and his wife Merle are long time residents of Hawaii and their plantation is over 100 years old, family owned and carefully maintained. They explain themselves simply and with ease knowing that their coffee plants are some of the best in the islands.   These two have an uncanny nose for coffee and a fan following that’s very loyal.

#7:  DAT’s Creations ~ authentic hand-made Hawaiian ceramics.  Darlene and Tim attend the Hawaii craft shows and expertly display their wares, often with long lines.  The reason we suspect they are so popular on our website is because they have a loyal fan base, their website is easy to order from and their pricing for the high quality of work they produce is unmatched anywhere else.  Buying real artwork from Hawaii is what this is all about!

#8: Hawaiian Vanilla Company ~ the only commercial producing vanilla company in the US.  Really!  We met Jim and Tracy Reenkopp as part of a Mother’s Day luncheon and high tea many years ago. They continue to produce extraordinary vanilla beans, and their entire product line is fabulous.  No wonder they’re so popular!

#9:  Aloha Spice Company ~ it’s SO hard to use anything other than this stuff.  Our favorite is the non-salt chicken seasoning.  But overall, an amazing selection of spices from a very savvy company here in Hawaii.  Our viewers think so too – and once again we learn that our audience has a very hungry attitude and continues to rank anything to do with food as über popular.

#10:  Fishermen’s Choice ~  Some Men are PICKY about their t-shirts.  Fishermen’s choice is a big deal at the local craft fairs and amongst the local sport fishing places.  Gary has a unique talent for designing t-shirts that the “real fishermen” just have to have.  So for all you real guys out there, here it is again – Fishermen’s Choice!

#11:  The Orchid People ~ We’re driving up to Waimea in the morning to see Jennifer at  the Farmer’s Market and tell her the great news about how popular her article is.  The Orchid People are not very web savvy and it shows because their orchids are famous for how spectacular they are – and that only happens with a constantly attentive positive environment – no time for TV or the web.  Spoiled orchids!

#12: Hamakua Homegrown ~ Last but not least because coming in 12th is still pretty incredible – out of more than 200 articles.  A delightful company located in the hills of the Big Island and producing completely natural and authentic products.