Hawaiian: n. Light of early dawn, sunset glow or Alpenglow. Literally, "Flaming Road." Pronounced Ahˈləʊlə or Ah-LOH'la. Not to be mispronounced as Ala'Ula which means "Red dusty road." or just "Red dust" which is probably more appropriate for Kauai. The farm is named that due to it being western facing on the Hawaii gold coast. There are some spectacular sunsets and the whole farm lights up in amber during sunset.
Mailing Address
67-1185 Mamalahoa Hwy D-104, PMB 242, Kamuela HI 96743
Farm Address
59-210 #2 Ala Kahua Drive, North Kohala HI 96755
Mainland Address
6114 La Salle Ave. #222, Oakland, CA 94611
FAQ
Frequently Ask Questions
Why chose for farm Vanilla?
Vanilla is a labor, but not space, intensive product. It takes skill, patience and perseverance to successfully grow vanilla as a commercial crop. Being of limited acreage, Alaula Farms is ideal for vanilla. But we also have field stock in the form a plumeria and we are trying out various melons which can grow symbiotically with the vanilla; occupying the ground under the vanilla stalks and using the vanilla runoff for water.
When will the vanilla or vanilla extract be ready?
We have contracted with HawaiisSimpleGormet to grow our starter batch of vanilla vines in containers of Alaula Farms design in order to ease transport. The pandemic caused a two year delay in this process, giving the plants an additional two years to mature. The vanilla may be ready to flower as soon as the greenhouses are finished being constructed. However, being transplanted can cause a delay in flower production. All that said, we anticipate our first vanilla beans to be ready within a year of completing construction.
Where can Vanilla Grow? can I grow it on the mainland?
It is possible in a greenhouse environment where you can tightly control the light, humidity and temperature. The vines cannot be exposed to temperatures below 50° F.
Does vanilla really not need any roots?
Vanilla is an orchid epiphytes (air plant), which produce aerial roots from nodes opposite the leaves. That doesn't mean it gets it's water from humidity; the Vanilla orchid expects rain and liquid water runoff in it's natural habitat. But not too much or too little rain.
What makes Alaula Farms extract special?
Alaula Farms works hard to make sure as much of the vanilla product and extract is sourced from Hawaii, if not Hawaii County. For example, our extract base is made from Kiawe beans which are gathered from the abundant Kiawe trees throughout the dry side. The beans are then ground up and fermented into a substance much like beer. The Kiawe beer is then distilled through a continuous still until it reaches the purity required for vanilla extract.
Where can I purchase Alaula Vanilla and other products??
Our current target market is farmers markets throughout Hawaii county. THis includes Waimea Midweek Farmers Market, Hāwī Farmers Market, Hāmākua Harvest Farmers Market, Kuhio Hale Farmers Market, Kona Farmers Market, Keauhou Farmer's Market and others.
Can I make my own vanilla extract?
Emphatically yes! Just buy a good quality base liquor and add vanilla beans and wait. The more vanilla beans per ounce of alcohol, the faster extract will be created. Allowing a good long time, a years for example, to infuse allows the vanilla to transfer more flavor allowing you to use fewer beans to get the same result. Vanilla should be at minimum 35% by volumen of the ethyl alcohol. A base which has little flavor, such as vodka provides the purest vanilla flavor, but other bases such as Ruhm, whiskey, maybe even tequila can provide for some very exotic flavors. Initially Alaula Farms will be providing a higher bean to ethyl alcohol ratio so we can get to market sooner to establish the name and brand preference, but over time we will be focusing on more mature the extract.