From Organic Farms to Our Tables

Poamoho Organic Produce is the largest certified organic farm on Oahu, overlooking the North Shore and nestled between Poamoho Gulch and Oahu’s highest peak, Mt Ka’ala. They specialize in tropical fruits such as mango, papaya, lychee, longan, avocado, breadfruit, jackfruit, herbs and most of the citrus and the have begun to work with small quantities of select vegetables. The are and have been certified on an annual basis to be in compliance with the USDA’s National Organic Standards.

Grant Kawasaki of Hawaiian Grown TV recently featured in a farm to table segment the path of the Rapoza Mango from Poamoho Organic Produce to the tables of Turtle Bay Resort’s Twenty One Degrees North restaurant.

First, check out the farm and see what makes organic Rapoza mangos the best:

The beginning of your fine dining experience at Twenty One Degrees North begins at local organic farms like the one above. Now check out what happens to those organic specialties once they hit our kitchens:

Fresh, organic produce, top chefs and fantastic recipes. Now check out Executive Chef Hector Morales as he and Grant Kawasaki sample the fruits of everyone’s labor:

As enjoyable as it may be to watch this on television, it just does not compare with the actual experience…so make your plans to come taste for yourself the organic farm to table goodness that is found at Turtle Bay Resort’s Twenty One Degrees North restaurant. Reservations are suggested at (808) 293-6000.

Turtle Bay Resort’s swimming pool is sporting a different look these days as the bright yellow shading umbrellas have been replaced with a thatched look that fits more gently into the local Hawaiian landscape. This is part of an ongoing program at the resort to continue to upgrade and beautify the area in order to provide the best guest experience possible.

Turtle Bay Resort’s Director of Facilities is especially proud of this latest upgrade because of the amazing visual impact of the change as can be seen in the pictures of the new umbrellas on the left compared to the old ones on the right. He and the Facilities Team, along with the Director of Security and the Security Team that oversee the operations of the pool, have worked very hard to make the pool area inviting and beautiful.

Other recent upgrades include the change over to a salt water based purification system that reduces the use of some chemicals and eliminates the use of other chemicals that could potentially harm the surrounding environment. This and other changes in the operations of Turtle Bay Resort were instrumental in the resort’s receipt of an environmentally friendly or “Green” distinction award…and this is just part of greater things that are expected in the future.

Next time you are in the area stop by and check out the new look at the pool!

(Pictures: Top Left: Close up shot of the new beach umbrellas; Center Right: A look at the replaced bright yellow umbrellas; Bottom Left: The new view of the pool area with the new umbrellas)

I was sitting in my office recently when I received a call from Paradise Helicopters. They run the helicopter service at Turtle Bay Resort. They had room for one more person…did I want to go up? Are you kidding! They said I only had a few minutes to get over there so I grabbed my camera and headed out the door, arriving just in the nick of time. Was I ever glad I did!

Every once-in-a-while you just get lucky. Just after takeoff I hurried and turned on my camera and pointed it out the window and shot away. I was lucky to get (seen here) a phenomenal picture, especially for an amateur, of Turtle Bay Resort from the air. I was then able to enjoy a wonderful around the island tour. We saw sacred falls and then a series of water falls along the windward ridges. We then went up over the mountains over the H-3 Freeway and down to Pearl Harbor (looking down on the sunken ships from the air gave me an entirely different perspective than I had before), up over Mililani and the Dole Plantation to Haleiwa and then up the coast past Waimea Valley and Sunset Beach back to Turtle Bay Resort.

I highly recommend the ride! For more information go to www.paradisecopters.com call (808) 293-2570.

A record setting group of people joined Turtle Bay Resort in celebrating the 4th of July this year. The gates opened Sunday at 5:30 pm with free parking and free admission. As soon as the gates opened, people started pouring in, and pouring in…by the thousands.

Turtle Bay Resort executives estimated the attendance at close to 3,000 people. The local community food booths enjoyed tremendous success. Live entertainment, from the Ka’ala Boys and ending with Kapena, thrilled those who reclined on blankets, sat in beach chairs or just wandered around. The highlight of the evening was the fireworks display, put on by Hawaii Explosives & Pyrotechnics. Check out the video clip below for a sampling of the much longer show!

On Friday night, August 20th, for one night only, Jeff and Lisa Linsky will appear together in concert in the Kuilima Ballroom at the Turtle Bay Resort. General Admission Tickets are available for $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Ticket sales will begin Monday, July 19th.

Jeff Linsky began his career at the age of ten and his natural abilities, along with his dedication and willingness to work hard, brought him into the inner circle of the great studio musicians such as Laurindo Almeida, Johnny deRose, Ron Anthony and Jimmy Stewart. He was also able to study privately with both Spanish guitar virtuoso Vicent Gomez and jazz great Joe Pass. At seventeen Jeff shared the stage with pop groups like the Grass Roots and the Standells but by nineteen years of age he was determined to find his own way. The world has ever been better for it.

Jeff Linsky’s talent has been recognized world-wide. He is a Voting Member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (the Grammy Awards). Acoustic Guitar stated “This astonishing guitarist seems to have bridged entirely the troublesome gap between brain and fingers.” Guitar Player Magazine wrote “His talent is the stuff guitarists’ dreams are made of.” The Los Angeles Times described Linsky as “Simply the finest fingerstyle guitarist you will ever see or hear.”

Lisa Linsky comes from a musical family. Both her grandmother and great grandmother were concert pianists. Lisa discovered the piano at the age of four and immediately felt a passionate connection with the instrument. The piano gave voice to the creative energy within her and Lisa was composing music from the very beginning.

Family friend Henry Mancini, upon hearing Lisa at the piano as a child, recommended she attend the Juilliard School of Music. However, “Lisa Jill” was already a child actress at this time so she simply played the piano at every opportunity, including some memorable duets with Jack Lemmon on the set of “The Fortune Cookie,” in which Lisa played Walter Matthau’s daughter. Legendary writer and director Billy Wilder described Lisa as “a combination of Marilyn Monroe and Carol Burnett, with musical talent, as well.” Although Lisa’s formal music training was limited, her musical passion and imagination is unlimited.

The beautiful music that comes from Lisa’s heart sounds much different to her than it does to everyone else. Lisa Linsky suffers from otosclerosis, the condition that is believed to have caused Beethoven to lose his hearing. Surgical implants in her ears have been able to postpone deafness and just like Beethoven, the music within her continues to flow despite her disability. Those who get to hear her music are truly blessed. Lisa Linsky’s “Sanctuary” CD has been recognized with the 2009 Parents’ Choice Award.

On Wednesday, July 21st, at 6:30 pm, Turtle Bay Resort and Twenty One Degrees North’s Chef de Cuisine John Armstrong and Turtle Bay Resort’s Executive Chef Hector Morales will host and exhibit Executive Chef Hardy Kintscher of Michel’s at the Colony Surf for an ultimate night that includes powerful north shore sunsets, the finest of internationally infused cuisine mixed with world class wines.

This five course event will start with an appetizer of Amuse Bouche Ahi Tartar on Crouton; followed with a First Course of Michel’s Lobster Bisque paired with a Roederer Estate, Brut, Anderson Valley; a Second Course of Hirabara Heart of Baby Romaine, Mediterranean Style, with Grilled Kona White Shrimp paired with Pine Ridge, Chenin Blanc-Viognier, Napa Valley 2007; a Third Course of Papillotte of Pacific King Salmon with Hamakua Mushrooms, Sea Asparagus & Lemon White Wine Butter on Saffron Rice Chehalem paired with a “3 Vineyard”, Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2007; a Fourth Course of Goat Cheese Crusted Lamb Loin, Beluga Lentil, Roasted Fennel Mashed Potatoes, Port Wine Demi Sauce & Mango Pineapple Chutney Girard, Petite Syrah paired with a Napa Valley 2007; and a Fifth Course of Dark Belgium Chocolate Decadence Cake Flambe Cherries Jubilee & Macadamia Nut Ice Cream paired with Dow’s Fine Ruby Porto Port & 100% Waialua Press Pot Coffee

No “a la carte” menus will be available that evening.

Price is $95 not including tax and tip. As always, parking for restaurant patrons is free. Reservations are highly recommended at (808) 293-6053.

Just put yourself in this situation. You’ve dreamed of having the perfect wedding your entire life. The perfect man gets on one knee and asks you to marry him. You plan out the details for your special day with great care and you invite 120 special friends to join you in a reception at the beautiful Miami Beach Resort and Spa. That is exactly what Felicia Ramirez did.

And the plan was being placed into reality with perfection…until the unthinkable happened. Just as Felicia and her husband Michael embraced to take the dance floor for their “first dance” the police rushed in and made everyone leave because of a shooting that resulted in a death at the resort.

Suddenly your dream wedding reception is turned into a living nightmare. The story was picked up by WSVN 7 news. Check out their news report:

The couple had already planned to have their honeymoon at Turtle Bay Resort and after saying goodbye and dealing the best the could with the situation in Miami they hopped on the plane and landed in Honolulu. Their life was about to take another twist, but this time for the better.

Felicia’s sister had called ahead to Turtle Bay Resort and informed them of the situation. She said “they didn’t even get to cut their wedding cake”. That gave the staff of Turtle Bay Resort a great idea. First, they upgraded  the couple to the Ali’i Suite (the “King’s Suite”). Then then got the wedding colors and other information about the couple and they planned and put together an impromptu wedding reception in the resort’s main lobby. A photographer came so they could have pictures. A Hawaiian songbird (“Tutu”) came…and the pastry department created a three layer wedding cake.

The lobby was filled with Turtle Bay Resort Employees and other guests of the hotel. Champagne toasts were offered , that is Champagne for the guests and sparkling cider for the employees who were still on duty. The Turtle Bay Resort reception was caught by KHON 2 News (the Honolulu FOX affiliate of WSVN 7).  Now the bride again has a smile. Check out the KHON report below:

A special thank you goes out to the Turtle Bay Resort employees and others who helped make the Ramirez’s life better when the unthinkable happened to them.

On Monday, June 21st, at 6:00 pm, Twenty One Degrees North’s Chef de Cuisine John Armstrong, Palm Terrace’s Chef de Cuisine Rodman Machado and Turtle Bay Resort’s Executive Chef Hector Morales host 3660 on the Rise’s Executive Chef Russell Siu and the Reynold’s Family Winery for a spectacular pairing event at Twenty One Degrees North you will not want to miss.

This six course event will start with a First Course of Amuse Bouche; a Second Course of Pan Seared Day Boat Scallops with Kahuku Corn Ravioli and Truffle Butter Sauce paired with a 2007 Napa VAlley Chardonnay; a Third Course of Soy Sake Glazed Butterfish with Chinese Broccoli & Shiitake Mushrooms, Soy Ginger and Dashi Nage paired with a 2005 Persistence, Syrah Cabernet Blend; a Forth Course of Medallion of Lamb with Tomato Mint Chutney and Natural Jus paired with a 2005 Stags Leap Merlot; a Fifth Course of Burgundy Braised Short Ribs of Beef with Muchroom Bacon jus Scented with Truffles paired with a 2005 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon and a Sixth Course of Orange Scented Panna Cotta with Roasted Strawberries paired with Waialua Press Pot Coffee.

Price is $95 not inclusive or tax or tip. Seating is limited Reservations are highly recommended at (808) 293-6053. As always, parking is complimentary for restaurant patrons.

Upcoming Summer Chefs Series events include Executive Chef Hardy Kintscher of Michel’s at the Colony Surf on July 26th and Executive Chef Ronnie Natsui of Roy’s Restaurant on August 23rd.

Celebrate the life of that special man in your life at Turtle Bay Resort’s Father’s Day Brunch. Seatings will be made at 9:00 am, 9:30 am, 11:30 am and 12:00 noon. The Chefs have been busy putting together a meal especially for dad, which includes the following:

Tarragon & Vinaigrette Salad, White Fish

Brunch will be served in the Sunset Room. Prices are $38.95 for adults and $19.95 for children ages 4 to 11. Prices do not include tax or tip. Reservations suggested at (808) 293-6053.

Over the past few weeks, Turtle Bay Resort’s Business Center has been receiving a series of improvements from our exceptional staff; refurbished counter tops, new equipment, etc., but none quite so visible as yesterday’s installation of a window that makes the room really open up, making it much more comfortable to use.

Designed to be your “office away from your office”, the Business Center is equipped with three computers, a printer, direct Cat 5 plugged internet access, usb ports for thumb drives and most everything else you could need, such as Federal Express and other overnight service materials.

The new window now allows people to see out and makes the room much less confining, while maintaining a quiet working space closed off from the distracting beach, golf, tennis, spa and the general operations of the resort. Ideally, most travelers want to escape work when on vacation…but it is not always possible. Our improved Business Center makes a delightful place to work when you just can’t get away from it completely. Come check us out!