MEET AN EMPLOYEE: PAZ

Paz, Production Manager


Although Paz has a similar story to Marietta, our resident jokester is definitely her own person. She moved to Hawaii in 1971 from the Philippines with her husband, Gody, and their two sons. Gody and Paz met at a body building competition. Gody saw her playing the piano while he was competing and from then on he adamantly courted her until she agreed to marry him. Before they decided to move to Hawaii, she worked at her family's convenient store.

When she first arrived she worked for a few weeks at the former Kuilima resort before getting hired at Kukui Nuts of Hawaii. She was assigned to the tedious task of preparing the kukui nuts for lei making where she did everything but string the leis. She would buff the stone-like shells and drill holes in the nuts. After the company was bought and turned into Oils of Aloha, she began coordinating the production line. She oversees filling the bottles of our various products from macadamia cooking oils to kukui skin care. With her great eye for detail, she is happy doing that and enjoys her work.

And she doesn't do this job by herself. After her husband retired from working for the State of Hawaii, Oils of Aloha hired him as her Production Assistant. Which she says is no big issue, because they are so busy at work that there is not a lot of time to talk, so it doesn't affect their home life in the least. In addition to working on the production line, she is also the master deep-fryer where she helps prepare delicious lunches for many of the production workers nearly everyday.

While she has enjoyed her time in Hawaii, after they retire from Oils of Aloha, she and Gody have decided to move back to the Philippines. When the time comes their company and hard work ethic will be missed.

MEET AN EMPLOYEE: MARIETTA

Marietta, Shipping Manager & Personal Cosmetic Batch Maker


Marrietta moved to Hawaii in 1971 after marrying her husband. Before that she had been teaching sixth grade in the Philippines for almost eight years. When she first arrived she worked as a pantry worker at the former Kuilima Resort, now it's known as Turtle Bay Resort.

Three years after that she was hired at Kukui Nuts of Hawaii. When the company went bankrupt, it was bought by Dana Gray and Oils of Aloha was born. Now Marietta, has been with us for over 20 years. And although her roles have changed over the years, she has always filled in where she is needed being a true team player.

When she started, she was the supervisor in charge of the employees who hand-made authentic Hawaiian kukui leis. Eventually, that part of the business became no longer profitable due to cheap imitation leis being imported from Asia. (Side note: if you happen to have an authentic Hawaiian kukui lei consider yourself lucky and hang on to it. They are pretty rare these days and very special.) Marietta's role then switched from lei maker to what she does today: making cosmetic batches of our various products including lotions, creams and shampoo. She also leads our shipping department as the Shipping Manager. Assuring you and us that your package will arrive securely and undamaged.

Marietta has been a resident of the North Shore, Oahu for nearly forty years. When I asked her what her favorite part of living here was, of course, she answered the beach. She shared fond memories of going to the famous surf spot Pipeline with her husband and just watching the waves. Her favorite products are our pure kukui oil and the moisturizing cream. She remembers when she was making the leis and working with the raw kukui nuts how soft her hands would become.

OILS OF ALOHA: COMING TO A COMMISSARY NEAR YOU

After almost four years of doing business with all five local commissaries on Oahu, we would like to thank all the men and women in the service for their loyal use of our Kukui Skin Care products and Macadamia Cooking Oils. Now, because of our success here in Hawaii, we have been given the chance to bring our best sellers from the Kukui Skin Care line to the commissaries on the West Coast of the Mainland.

So how did this come about? We found out after attending the twelfth annual American Logistics Association and DeCA Hawaii Conference's Local Vendor Trade Show. This is an event where manufacturers of products that are Made in Hawaii have an opportunity to display, present and generally show off their goods for all the VIPs who oversee the Commissaries and Exchanges that honor the men and women who serve our country.

That's me pictured about before the start of the event. We had a variety of products to give away, as well as sample including brownies and banana brea made with macadamia oil. And for lunch we had samples of smoked salmon pesto pasta.

So what does this mean for all military personnel authorized to shop at the commissaries? Start looking for our products this holiday season at a commissary near you.

KUKUI … GROWING UP IN HAWAII

In 1959 the Kukui tree became the official state tree of Hawaii. It takes its botanical name, aleurites moluccana, from the Greek for “floury,” a reference to the white-dusted green of its leaves.

From the ground, its leaves are turned a translucent green by the overhead sun in a leafy canopy of stained-glass hues. Kukui trees mainly grow on the lower slopes of the mountain in gulches. The tallest Kukui groves with trees of eighty to ninety feet are spectacular. Wherever Kukui grows, its distinctive silver foliage is its signature.

At the end of the branches small greenish-tinged white flowers bloom. These flowers, along with the trees distinctive leaves, are often seen entwined in leis.

The fruit of the Kukui is about 2-inches in diameter. The outer part of the fruit is a hard green covering about 1/4-inch thick when immature and as it matures it turns a dark grayish-black and softens. This portion of the fruit decays rapidly after it falls to the ground. Enclosed within are one or two hard, stone like, wrinkled nuts. When young the shell of the nut is whitish, but as it matures it turns brown, then black.

Nuts that remain in the damp soil will sprout. After shedding their shell a small plant takes root. It takes only a few months for it to start Growing Up In Hawaii!

HAWAIIAN TRIVIA

• The state of Hawaii consists of eight main islands: Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe and the Big Island of Hawaii.

• The State tree is the Kukui, the State bird is the Nene and the State fish is the Humuhumunukunukuapua`a.

• The Hawaiian language has the shortest alphabet in the world. It has only twelve letters. The five vowels are A,E, I, O,U. And the seven consonants are H,K,L,M,N,P,W.

• Average daytime temperature in July is 82°F. Average daytime temperature in January is 72°F.

• Hawaii is the most isolated population center on the face of the earth. Hawaii is 2,390 miles from California; 3,850 miles from Japan; 4,900 miles from China; and 5,280 miles from the Philippines.

• From east to west Hawaii is the widest state in the United States.

• Hawaii has its own time zone. It’s called Hawaiian Standard Time. There is no daylight savings time in Hawaii, which means that in summer, Hawaii is two hours behind the U.S. West Coast, while in winter, Hawaii is three hours behind the U.S. West Coast.

• Oahu’s North Shore has many of the world’s most renowned surfing beaches.

• Iolani Palace, located in downtown Honolulu, is the only royal palace in the United States. Electric lights illuminated Iolani Palace four years before the White house had them.

• Haleakala Crater on Maui is the world's largest dormant volcano.

• The famous Road to Hana on Maui’s north shore is a 55-mile long, narrow road and features 617 curves and 26 bridges. It has some of the most breathtaking oceanfront scenery.

• Kilauea volcano on the Big Island is one of the largest and most active volcanoes in the world.

• Smooth lava is called pahoehoe and rough lava is a`a.

• The Big Island is one of the worlds leaders in harvesting macadamia nuts, kukui nuts and orchids.

NOTES FOR THE CHEF

Usually, when we talk about Macadamia Cooking Oil we find ourselves discussing the Health Benefits of the oil. High in monounsaturated fat, macadamia oil may well be the "healthiest” of all food oils.

But, there is another side to the story. Macadamia oil is an Excellent Cooking Oil for professional and home chefs!

• Our specialty macadamia oils come "Pre-Flavored". Use Kauai Herb with an equal amount of balsamic vinegar and a dash of Dijon mustard for a delightful salad dressing. Garlic Isle is excellent as a final drizzle on pasta. Pele's Fire adds a spicy touch to seafood and pork. Haleiwa Heat is ideal for stir fry. And then, there is Hawaii's Gold for all your general cooking tasks.

• The oil has a very High Smoke Point – 389°F. --- making it an ideal oil for sautéed and stir-fry dishes. And, the oil retains its delightful flavor.

• Stability! All oils have a birth, a youth, and they age. Macadamia oil because it is highly monounsaturated is very stable --- much more so than olive, canola, or other common cooking oils. You don't have to worry about "off" tastes.

• Versatile and Economical! Macadamia oil is an all purpose oil. You can use it for baking rolls and breads or as your primary oil for everything from omelets to ahi!

• It can be used in place of clarified butter - without the hassle! Saves lots of time and effort!

Oils of Aloha specialty macadamia oils are manufactured in Hawaii on the North Shore of Oahu. All of the macadamia nuts are sourced from the Big Island!

…….. and we are offering a 15% Discount on all of our 32 oz. Macadamia Oils for the month of July, 2009.


ALOHA GRILLED EGGPLANT
4 long Japanese eggplants, sliced lengthwise
Italian parsley, cilantro, fresh rosemary and fresh basil (quantity desired)
Salt and pepper to taste
2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup Oils of Aloha® Hawaii’s Gold Macadamia Oil
(or one of the other specialty oils: Pele’s Fire, Kauai Heb, Garlic Isle)

Combine all of the ingredients in a zip-lock bag and toss to coat the eggplant. Marinate for at least 20 minutes. Grill or broil until eggplant is tender. Makes 4 to 6 servings.

Note: Works well with Portobello mushrooms, zucchini and red onions or a combination.

Contributed by Aileen Stewart

OILS OF ALOHA OPEN HOUSE TOUR

By Nadine Kam
Honolulu Star Bulletin

It’s not every day a person can go behind the scenes to see the process of products being made, so I was excited about the Oils of Aloha open house that took place May 15 and 16, where guests watched macadamia nuts go through the expeller press to eventually arrive at the cooking oil produced by the company, or mixed with kukui nut oil to create the company’s patented SOLaleur formula.

Studies of SOLaleur, supported by the Cooperative State Research Education and Extension Service, U.S.D.A., have proven that the formula increases healing of dry, cracked skin, UV-exposed skin, as well as radiation burns caused by chemo-related damage.

With all those benefits, it’s no wonder guests were happy about having the opportunity to create their custom moisturizer by adding essential oil to one of Oils of Aloha’s skin creams, as well as create an exfoliator using macadamia powders.




Ready for summer: Oils of Aloha’s Kukui Essential AfterSun cream, lotion and oil, individually priced at about $11 to $13 at Longs and ABC stores.

It turns out to be a green process, as the company also uses husks to create the right consistency to go into the presses. The large coconut shell-like pieces that come off the press as the oil is being removed, are the pressed remnants of husks and nuts. These don’t go to waste, but are used as charcoal, as well as pig feed, putting 20 percent more protein into their diets, as well as fiber.

It was hard for some to understand the notion that they could also wash their face with an aromatic kukui-mac nut oil cleanser. In this country, we go through adolescence thinking oily skin is not only unsightly but the source of all acne (it’s mostly hormones), so when we get to the age our skin actually needs oil’s moisture-retention properties, the avoidance mentality continues to kick in.

I’d already been using Shu Uemura cleansing oil (Marilyn Monroe used it, too) when I heard about the Oils of Aloha product, so I encouraged some leery souls to give it a try. It’s not only light, but it smells yummy too!

Owners Dana and Barbara Gray were gracious hosts, also serving a lovely lunch spread that included turkey deep-fried in macadamia nut oil, salmon smoked with macadamia chips, salads dressed in the flavored oils, pastries baked with mac-nut oil, and even a strawberry smoothie that included the oil. Every bite was delicious.

I’d already known Barbara as a food stylist for many years. We met when I was a manager for a commercial photographer. When she was styling food, it looked great, but none of it was edible in the end because it was sitting for hours or stabilized with non-food ingredients. Then there were the imposters, like mashed potatoes stirred with food coloring to represent ice cream. It was always fun to watch her work her studio magic, but on this day, I was glad she switched over to food we could actually eat.

MACADAMIA OIL AND WEIGHT-LOSS

Hawaii is making its own waves in the diet industry with both the Atkins diet and the Hampton's diet using Macadamia Oil in their low-carb weight loss programs. Even referring to it as the "secret weapon" in weight loss. Oils of Aloha, as you may know, was the first company to make Macadamia Oil easily accessible to the world as an edible cooking and salad oil.

Macadamia Oil is perfect for any diet plan whether it be low-carb, high-carb, or even low fat. Fat is a necessity for the human body to function and shouldn't be eliminated from anyone's diet completely. Macadamia Oil has the highest percentage of mono-unsaturated fat at 80%, which may lower cholesterol, reduce heart disease and it contains the antioxidant Vitamin E. It also has small amounts of Omega-3 fatty acids making it a good botanical source of palmitoleic acids which help in the metabolism of stored body fat encouraging weight loss.

So no matter your diet or non-diet plan is; try one of our Macadamia Cooking and Salad Oils at a very special price. Just put the code MAC15 in the comments section at checkout and we'll deduct 15% off the macadamia products once we receive the order. Offer expires May 31, 2009.

OILS OF ALOHA VOLUNTEERS

Employees of Oils of Aloha donated their time to the AINA In Schools program, an organization that teaches and connects children with the land, water and food in Hawaii.  We helped out at the Garden Party where the children learn by hands on experience the joys of gardening.

We prepared the land for next school years planting.  Everyone worked together and no volunteer was too small to help.  We also donated garden supplies and thank you gifts to the volunteers.  We hope to continue to this throughout next school year.  Check out the finished project.  What a successful afternoon!

THE TASTE OF WAIALUA

Last Weekend we participated in the Taste of Waialua which was hosted by Island X at the Old Waialua Sugar Mill.  Thirty lucky VIPs were able to taste locally grown coffee made in Waialua and throughout the Hawaiian Islands, as well as other products made in or around Oahu's North Shore area.  

Oils of Aloha was on hand to pass out samples of our popcorn made with our Macadamia Cooking and Salad oils.  We also had an opportunity to inform guests of all the benefits of our Kukui Skin Care products.  Check out the pictures below to see our two Oils of Aloha experts.  If you ever see them around the island, don't be afraid to to go up to them and ask them about our products.

HOW TO DEAL WITH OIL STAINS

We all enjoy the feel of freshly applied Kukui oil on our skin whether self applied or after a super relaxing massage.  However, one of the side effects to having moisturized skin with oil is that it can sometimes leave stains on your sheets or clothes directly after application.  Here are some tips & tricks I've learned on how to remove oil stains from fabrics.  Some sound like they'll work, while others sound a little unusual.  It's small price to pay for beautiful skin.

Tip #1: Use  Kukui oil sparingly and wait a few minutes before dressing or getting into bed.

Tip #2: If the stain is fresh, blot the spot with flour, corn starch or talcum powder let absor for a few minutes, then brush off.  Pre-treat it with a stain remover and wash in hot water.

Tip #3: Pre-soak stain in lemon-lime soda for 3 minutes.  Add the remaining soda to the laundry along with your regular detergent.  Wash as usual.

Tip #4: Rub Dawn dish soap on stain, wet and lather. Let set, then launder.

Tip #5: Use a concentrated solution of OxiClean and soak the item overnight.  Then wash as usual.

Please let us know what you have found works best to remove oil stains?  This is a reoccurring problem we hear about often and would love to pass on your advise.

MMM...MAC MILK

On the North Shore of Oahu, there has been a small raw food movement going on.  A lot of residents of this small surfing community are into 'healthy' eating.  It's no wonder since we are so close to the ocean and outdoors everyday, you can't help but want to make your body the best it can be.  I'm not totally raw, but I know those who are and it takes so much dedication to eat only non-cooked and non-processed foods.  I enjoy a few things here and there and pick what I like, and incorporate it into my own diet.  One thing that I have especially enjoyed is raw nut milk.  It is so good and it taste better than soy, rice or cow milk ( at least I think so, my office cohorts might disagree).  And it is super easy to make.

This is the recipe I use.  You can adjust it to your own taste.

Soak about 2-cups unsalted macadamia nuts in water to  cover them for 1 to 2 hours.  Rinse the nuts and put them and 4 to 8 cups of water into a blender.  The less water you have the creamier it will be.  It can be compared to whole milk (less water) to fat free milk (more water).  Add 2-tablespoons of a sweetener of your choice,  my favorites are raw honey, raw maple syrup or raw agave nectar, 1-teaspoon vanilla and 1-teaspoon cinnamon.  Blend ingredients until liquefied.  

Next, pour liquid into a nut milk bag ( a mesh bag made from cheese cloth) over a pitcher, squeeze bag until liquid is pressed from the nut meat.  Refrigerate until chilled, then serve.

Special note: nut milk only lasts about 2 days in the refrigerator.

KUKUI FOR MY KEIKI

Many babies and very young children have what is called infant stages of eczema:  very noticeable inflamed, red and itchy skin.  As any observant mom would do, once I noticed this on my son, I educated myself on the symptoms of eczema.  Doctors play a major role toward helping parents maintain a healthy regimen for their children, but at the same time, I believe it is vital for parents to make great decisions for the care of their children and their overall health.

My son suffered with eczema throughout his infant years and during this time I wanted to find any means possible to ease his pain.  As an Oils of Aloha employee, I knew all the benefits of Kukui Oil and decided to try the  Kukui Conditioning Shampoo that I spotted in the shower.

As I prepared him for a sponge bath, I placed my son on the bed and noticed large red patches on his butt cheeks and behind his knees.  I decided to try the Shampoo as a bubble bath.  I applied the Kukui Shampoo to the washcloth and then I gently stroked the cloth over the inflamed area.  From the time I bathed him, until I laid him on the towel in the room, the inflammation and redness disappeared.  

Seriously, there was no redness, no inflammation at all.  His skin was cleared.  I thought to myself, "Amazing!"

I remain a Believer in our Kukui products...

M. Hatchie

IS YOUR WOOD OIL FOOD SAFE?

We recently received a question from a customer that we have been asked a few times in the past. It goes something like, " I have a kitchen island that has a cutting board surface. I have just sanded it and would like to put some kind of finish coat on it. Would Kukui Oil as an oil finish be suitable for a food preparation surface?"

Answer:

For new or freshly sanded cutting boards, counter tops, or even fine wooden artisan pieces an initial treatment of pure Kukui Oil works very well. Apply several light coats of the oil and wipe away any excess.

For wooden surfaces like cutting boards that are constantly getting used and washed, the exterior is never really 'finished'. So the Kukui Oil helps to maintain the beauty of the wood. It is also excellent for use on wooden salad bowls.

Another consideration to keep in mind is that oil treatments are not impervious to water, so salad bowls and other wooden surfaces need to be re-oiled from time to time. Every time the surface is washed the oil should be reapplied very lightly. Wipe on an even coat and allow it to sit overnight or until the next use and wipe off any oil remaining on the surface.

Kukui Oil can go on the bowl straight from the bottle since it transfers no negative flavor to the food. Kukui Oil can even be consumed as an Omega 3 supplement ( I have been taking a teaspoon every morning for the past few years); therefore it is perfectly safe as a wood treatment on food surfaces.

FUNDRAISER FOR LANIKAI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Oils of Aloha is happy to report that Lanikai Elementary School’s Fundraiser this month was a huge success. With the support of the parents and children of Lanikai Elementary, Oils of Aloha helped raise money for the school to purchase a new bookshelf for Ms. Ramos’s Kindergarten class. The children enjoyed homemade brownies made with our Hawaii’s Gold Macadamia Oil while the parents sampled products from our KUKUIæ Skin Care Collection.

As a token of appreciation, the class drew a Thank You card (pictured above).

Do you have a fund raising idea? Please let us know, email jri@oilsofaloha.com.

DOGS & MACADAMIA NUTS

In the last blog we discussed how macadamias are filled with 'good fat', which provides a healthy alternative to other cooking oils for the human body.  We think it's great that you are paying attention to what you are putting into your body.  More and more people are looking at ingredients on both their own and their pet food labels and finding better choices.

The dog-lovers in our office got into a discussion the other day about macadamia nuts as known toxins to our furry friends.  We wouldn't want you to give them 'healthy' human food without thinking that they may be allergic or that it might be toxic to their bodies.

Though the exact cause of the toxicities from eating macadamia nuts is unknown, it could be because our dogs have a different metabolism from us.  Consuming macadamia nuts affects the digestive, nervous and muscle systems in canines.  Symptoms start with a weakness in their hind legs or even an inability to move them and slowly progresses up the body to the forelimbs.  It can become severe enough that they can't stand at all.  In some cases mental depression, vomiting, hyperthermia and joint pain have occurred.  So keep you furry friends happy and healthy by keeping your food to yourself.

The pictures above are the Oils of Aloha employee dogs. 

MACADAMIA FILLED WITH 'GOOD FAT'

If you've ever tried to crack open a raw macadamia nut, you know that it is a labor-intensive process. It can take up to six years after planting to harvest the first crop. The trees bear annually after that. These extremely delicate nuts are covered by such a hard shell that they require 300 pounds of pressure per square inch to crack. The real trick is to get the kernel out in one perfect piece.

Macadamias have a reputation for being unusually high in fat. This is true, but over 80% of the fatty acids in macadamia nuts are of the monounsaturated type, more than even olive oil. Monounsaturated fat (often called " the good fat") has been shown to lower blood cholesterol and may even have some cleansing effect on the arteries. Because of the potential benefits of highly monounsaturated oils, they are the subject of considerable research. Like all vegetable products, macadamia nuts have no cholesterol and, unless roasted and salted, little sodium.

So when choosing which fats to include in your diet, remember that the monounsaturated fats are likely to have the greatest positive effect on your health. So if you are going to include macadamia oil in your recipes, you might enjoy the variety of specialty oils from Oils of Aloha.

Check out our website at: Macadamia Cooking & Salad Recipes for more recipe ideas like this one.

Pele's Fire Grilled Ahi with Tropical Salsa

1 cup diced fresh pineapple

1/4 cup chopped red onion

1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper

2 Tbsp. chopped fresh basil

1 Tbsp. fresh lime juice

1/2 tsp. grated lime peel

3 Tbsp. Oils of Aloha Pele's Fire Macadamia Oil

2 (8 oz. each) ahi (tuna) or swordfish fillets

Freshly ground black pepper

In a small bowl combine pineapple, red onion, bell pepper, basil, lime juice, lime peepl and 2 tablespoons of the macadamia oil; blend well. Chill. In a shallow dish sprinkle fish fillets with black pepper and baste with he remaining 1 tablespoon macadamia oil. Grill or broil about 5 minutes on each side for medium-rare or until desired doneness. Makes 2 servings.

LIKE ATTRACTS LIKE

When you think about washing your face with an oil based cleanser, it doesn't quite make sense. Why would I want to put additional oil on my face? Won't it clog my pores and cause breakouts? But there is a perfectly good explanation, if you remember the old chemistry rule: Like Attracts Like.

Oil production is actually healthy for your skin as it helps to lubricate and moisturize, but too much oil production can cause problems to occur. So an oil based cleanser like our KUKUIæ Moisturizing Cleanser with natural botanical kukui and macadamia oils, will actually emulsify dirt, oil and microorganisms on the skin's surface and rinse away, leaving no residue. Oil based cleansers leave your skin with a smooth, soft, healthy feeling. Skin feels cleansed, but never tight. The cleansing oil also nourishes sun-abused skin and lifts away left-over SPF after a day at the beach.

We would like to offer you a chance to sample our KUKUIæ Moisturizing Cleanser FREE with a purchase of $50 or more from our website. Just enter KMC Fragrance Free or KMC Sparkling Mango Fragrance in the Comments Section.

*Offer ends 4/01/09

SOAP MAY BE HAZARDOUS TO YOUR SKIN

"I must admit I gave up on bar soaps ages ago, even for my hands. I humbly and happily eat crow! The Kukui Glycerine Soap felt like silk, not like soap! I used it with my loofa mitt and it cleaned like a dream, but didn't leave my skin tight or dry."

Jessica Skropanic, Spa Review

Dec., 2004

If you are suffering from dry flaky skin despite the constant application of moisturizers and frequent bathing, it could be due to the nature of the soap you are using. Mass-produced commercial soap that is usually sitting on the shelves of your local grocery or department store is not actually soap - it's a form of detergent. Instead of natural vegetable oils, these " detergent soaps" are actually made fromh petroleum. In addition, these types of "soaps" may retain the caustic lye used in processing as well as potentially irritating perfumes.

GLYCERIN SOAP, however, is a sound choice for people with sensitive and/or delicate skin. Glycerin soap is known as a humectant - it actually attracts moisture, leaving your skin hydrated and supple. Beyond hydrating your skin, glycerin is also known to be a natural remedy for yeast and fungal infections, such as eczema and psoriasis. They also don't contain synthetic ingredients that cause skin irritations keeping your skin looking and feeling healthy and soft.

Glycerin can be animal, vegetable or synthetic. All of our KUKUI Glycerin Soaps are made with vegetable-based glycerin and have the added benefit of the moisturizing affect of kukui oil. Check them out at Oils of Aloha KUKUI Glycerin Soaps.

KEEP IT SIMPLE

Everyone at the Oils of Aloha office has a different perception of what a beauty regime means to them and we are all probably right. We want to have beautiful skin and put our best face forward. After all, it's what makes our first impression on the world. But no matter how different our perceptions of beauty or what lengths we go to achieve it, we all can agree on one thing (when it comes to our beauty regimes, that is), Keep It Simple.

Here are some of our employee's techniques:

"Every morning I put about 3 drops of pure Kukui Oil in the palm of my hand and rub my hands together to warm up the oil. Then I "press" the oil onto my face. It doesn't leave a shine and it stays on until I wash it off at night and apply it again before bed. I use the 3 different fragrances of Kukui Oil Pacific Mist, Tropic Breeze and Paradise." Jean, TOP (The Office Person)

"I started having a beauty regime at the age of 10 when I received my first bottle of moisturizing face cream. I started applying it in the morning before school and haven't missed a day since. Of course, my skin needs have changed since then and now in my late twenties, I use a combination of three products: a gentle cleanser for my face in the mornings followed by our Kukui Moisturizing Cream. At the end of the day, I apply a clearing moisturizer that calms and soothes redness of the skin." Jessica, Sales & Marketing Assistant

"In the morning I use Kukui Moisturizing Cream on my face and neck. It absorbs quickly and completely. At the end of the day when I first get home, I wash my face with Kukui Cleanser and apply a few drops of Kukui Oil around my eyes and on my face. Before I go to bed I use the Moisturizing Cream again. My preference is the Pacific Mist fragrance." Barbara, Graphics and Advertising

"At bath time, I apply our Kukui Conditioning Shampoo to my hair. It brings out the body and leaves it very clean. Then, I wash my face and neck in an upwards circular motion with our Kukui Moisturizing Cleanser. I prefer the sparkling mango fragrance. It makes my skin feel smooth, clean and refreshed. At nighttime, I apply a cream. Every morning, I use three drops of Kukui Oil on my face and neck. I don't use makeup like most women do, but I finish with a simple color to my lips. It adds a new worth of self everyday." Melanie, Purchasing & Inventory Manager

"I have been fortunate with my skin. I never had any major skin irritations, but I do have extremely oily skin. To remove the residual oil from my face, every morning I use the Kukui Moisturizing Cleanser with the sparkling mango fragrance. I don't use any make up because I do not want to clog my pores. In the evenings, I like to use the Kukui Cream with the Paradise fragrance. I have never used specific cream for my face, but because I am beginning to see some fine lines, I started to use the Moisturizing Kukui Cream." Maria, Sales & Marketing Manager.

What is your beauty regime? What do you do to put your best face forward?

THE KUKUI LEI

The history of the Kukui nut lei dates back to the arrival of the early Polynesians to the Hawaiian Islands. The nuts from these trees had a special significance because of their many uses. The kukui tree is one of the most common trees seen in Hawaii's forests today. This beautiful tree has rightly become the State tree of Hawaii.

In ancient times kukui nut lei were only worn by royalty. The black and brown nuts are strung on ribbon to make a lei that is the traditional necklace given on many occasions in the Islands to express "Aloha" or welcome. Today they are worn by both men and women.

In 1988 our company (Oils of Aloha) started in business as the Hawaiian Kukui Nut Company. We were the only company in Hawaii making kukui jewelry. We had a great crew. The steps required to transform raw kukui nuts into beautiful jewelry was lengthy, but fascinating.

The nuts were gathered in the wild and brought to the factory where they were spread out on tables covered with mesh screens to dry and were sorted into black and brown tones. The nuts were then put into tumblers with coarse grit to begin the polishing process. They were drilled and the inside kernel was ground up, then blown out with high pressured air guns. The nuts were then polished by hand on small grinding wheels. The finished nuts were strung on ribbon to make a lei or made into ear rings or bracelets.

Unfortunately in the early 90's Hawaii was inundated with plastic and poor quality imports from numerous countries. At that time we had started to successfully produce bulk kukui and macadamia oils that were sold into the cosmetic industry. We also had started our own line of kukui skin care products and edible macadamia oils. So we decided to discontinue the jewelry and transition our employees into oil manufacturing.

The Kukui Lei Slide Show:

A TOUGH NUT TO CRACK...

...or squeze in our case. At Oils of Aloha, we practice minimal refining of our kukui and macadamia oils. This means all of our oils are expeller pressed(natural extraction without chemical solvents) from their kernels to maintain optimum quality and purity. The kernels are fed into the expeller press through a feed tube. The result of the pressure extraction of the oil is material called press cake. While continuous friction and pressure cause the temperature to rise and the oil to seep out through a small fibrous mesh screen. What remains is unrefined oil. At this point the oil is transported from out production facility to our factory where it is refined for either cosmetic or culinary use. We'll cover this interesting process at another time.

So what's the other side of the story? One alternative to expeller pressing is solvent extraction that uses harsh chemicals to draw out the oil. First, the oil is separated from nuts and seeds with a kind of petroleum solvent and then it's boiled to drive off the toxins from the petroleum. It is then usually refined, bleached and deodorized in heats of over 400º F reducing the amounts of many key vitamins and minerals. What's left behind is oil with a lack of flavor, nutrients and scent, but it will have a long shelf life, uniform color and texture.

ON THE LIFE OF VEGETABLE OILS

Have you ever wondered about the shelf life of our favorite cooking oil? We've had many questions on this subject as it relates to our Macadamia oil.

1. How long will oil last before it goes rancid?

2. What causes the oil to go bad?

3. How do I know the oil is still good to use?

Shelf Life:

All vegetable oils go through an aging cycle -- youth, middle age, old age and then they eventually die.  The enemies of stability in an oil are oxygen, light and temperature.

The method used for refining is important to shelf life.  Our Macadamia oil is minimally refined and then stored in a cool dark place.  When the oils are exposed to the enemies of stability they brea down shortening their shelf life.  Macadamia oil is a very stable oil high in monounsaturated fats with a shelf life of approximately two years or more.

Stability:

All natural fats are made from fat molecules that can be put into three categories: saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated.  These all play an important role in the makeup of the oils and its shelf life.

Monounsaturated fats are basically more stable than polyunsaturated fats (corn, safflower, soy, peanut, etc.) because of their lack of free radicals which cause rancidity.  While many cooking salad oils made from polyunsaturated fats need to be protected from oxidation by refrigeration after the container is opened, Macadamia oil is stable for months after opening, even at room temperature.

Senses:

The best way to tell the condition of an oil is to smell and taste it.  Your nose is a very scientific instrument and is quite good at measuring.  The odor of fresh natural oils should be bland and neutral.  Unnatural or uncharacteristic odors are usually signs of rancid or bitter oils.

FYI:

All of our products have a Best Buy date on the bottom of our bottles.  Macadamia oil has been given a very conservative date of 20 months.  The only suggestion is not to store it in direct sunlight or in an extremely warm spot.  

THERE'S MORE TO THE LABEL...

We take a lot of effort to be sure that we never say anything about our products that is not the truth.  If you are a voracious label reader, then you've probably seen that on our Kukui Oil we say the following:

Clinically proven to significantly increase moisture levels in the skin. Kukui oil is hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic.

moisturize

Main Entry: mois•tur•ize

:to add moisture to 

Kukui Oil is rich in omega 3 fatty acids and is easily absorbed into the skin, allowing for a promotion of overall skin health.  Its transdermal properties allow it to penetrate deep into the skin where skin problems begin.

AMA Laboratories, Inc. examined the moisturization benefits using a Novameter on three sites per test subject.  Novameter readings were taken at intervals of 15 minutes, 30 minutes, one hour, and three hours per site.  The results conclusively demonstrated the effectiveness of maintaining a positive moisture level.  

hypoallergenic

Main Entry: hy•po•al•ler•gen•ic

:having little likelihood of causing an allergic response

Consumer Product Testing Co. conducted a Repeated Insult Patch Test (RIPT) to determine by repetitive epidermal contact the potential of a test material to induce primary or cumulative irritation and/or allergic contact sensitization.  All evaluations of the test site for every participant were negative throughout both testing phases, showing no adverse effect on the skin.   Therefore, under the conditions of this study, pure kukui oil with Vitamin E did not indicate a potential for dermal irritation or allergic contact sensitization.

non-comedogenic

Main Entry: non•com•e•do•gen•ic

:not tending to clog pores (as by the formation of blackheads)

We do not have a clinical testing on this claim, but for twenty years we have collected anecdotal testimonials.  This natural botanical oil penetrates quickly and therefore does not leave a coating on your skin that would block pores.  We have had many customers that use the oil to remove eye makeup and cosmetics with no concern about pore clogging.  No one has indicated any problem with blackheads or negative skin reaction.

NATURALLY BEAUTIFUL HAIR

Melanie an advocate of kukui oil treatments for her hair and for her kids, works for Oils of Aloha as our Purchasing and Inventory Manager.

For centuries Hawaiians have used kukui oil to improve the luster and softness of their hair. They use to gather a handful of kukui nuts, crack and remove the shell, then coarsely grind the kernels.  When lightly roasted the kernels were smashed again to release the oil. An easier way today would be to use pure

Kukui Oil from Oils of Aloha.

A homemade hot oil treatment can be an inexpensive luxury.  Place 1 to 2 tablespoons of the oil in a small glass dish and heat in the microwave until warm, about 30 to 45 second.  Apply oil to hair and massage into your scalp, leave on for 15 to 20 minutes for it to penetrate.  Shampoo and rinse well.

Hot oil treatments also help with dry scalp, including dandruff.  You might like to use on of our fragranced oils.  They don't add any significant benefit to pure oil, other than a nice smell.

We would appreciate any comments or suggestions on how you use kukui oil on your hair and scalp.

LIP BALM ADDICTION

I have been using lip balms ever since I was old enough to apply my very own strawberry flavored balm.  From then on I couldn't get enough, I had to try every brand in every flavor.  Today, I have three tubes in my desk drawer, two in my bathroom, one on my nightstand and one lost in every purse.  And my fiance has to constantly remind me to check my pant pockets before doing laundry.  I guess I have ruined too many of our clothes.  But I still can't stop.

As it turns out, there are a few different aspects that make lip balms addictive:

1) There is a psychological addiction, due to the immediate moisturization to the lips;  it sends a signal to you brain to stop producing skin cells which result in drier lips once the lip balm wears off.

2) It can become an oral fixation or habit to  continually apply salve to you lips like chewing gum or biting your nails.   Some addicts reapply as much as every 10 minutes.

3) Many lip balms can include camphor and menthol that give lips tiny tingly rush.

So what's the cure?

The best advice I've heard for dry lips is to simply keep your tongue inside your mouth and quit licking your lips!  Pretty simple, but if that is too much you can try to wean yourself from lip balms by only allowing yourself to put it on at certain times during the day like after meals or before you go to bed.

If you are addicted, and then you might consider check out our Dry Lip Therapy  that feature natural kukui and macadamia oils to add extra moisturization.

If you can't break the habit, that's okay too because there are plenty of worse things you could be addicted to...like chocolate.

SOME LIKE IT HOT

There is a continuous war waging at the Oils of Aloha factory regarding the heat level to use for flavoring popcorn.  Our president, being from Mississippi Cajun country, votes for using Pele's Fire obviously the hottest oil in our arsenal.  The majority of us prefer using Haleiwa Heat, a delightful blend of roasted garlic and chili flavored macadamia oils.  Then there are the timid ones that vote for Hawaii's Gold, pure macadamia oil or Garlic Isle, the roasted garlic flavor, or Kauai Herb, a herb flavor with an emphasis on basil.

We cook the popcorn in macadamia oil to make this a healthy choice.  You can also use microwave popcorn and spritz of macadamia oil at the end to add flavor.

Here are a few ideas for adding additional ingredients to make a special treat.

• Parmesan-Garlic Popcorn: Prepare popcorn with Garlic Isle and when popped add a heavy sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of black pepper
  
• Jalapeno Popcorn: Gently mix thinly sliced jalapeno peppers into Kauai Herb popcorn
  
• Caramel Popcorn: Melt butter in a small saucepan and add brown sugar and when melted add a dash of vanilla.  Pour over popcorn prepared with Hawaii's Gold and lightly toss
• Chili Popcorn: Stir together 1/2 tsp. salt and chili powder along with 1/8 tsp. garlic powder, paprika and cayenne.  Sprinkle over popcorn made with Pele's Fire or Haleiwa Heat  for an extra hot boost

We would appreciate having you share your idea with us and our online friends.

ALOHA POPCORN

3 Tbsp. Oils of Aloha® Hawaii's Gold Macadamia Nut Oil 

1/2 cup popcorn kernels

Salt to taste

Oils of Aloha® Pele's Fire or your choice of Macadamia Oil in a spray bottle

Heat the macadamia oil in an 8-quart larger stockpot over high heat.  After a minute, put a few popcorn kernels in the pot and cover.  when the kernels pop, the oil is hot enough.  Add the remainder of the popcorn.  Cover the pot and shake it back and forth over the heat to agitate the kernels.  Remove the pot from the heat when the popping slows almost to stop (it is better to have a few unpopped kernels than burnt popcorn) and immediately pour the popped corn into a large bowl.  Sprinkle with salt and toss bowl.  Sprinkle with salt and toss lightly.  Spritz with flavored macadamia oil.  Makes about 4 quarts.

 

LET THERE BE LIGHT

In ancient times, probably the best-known use for the kukui nut was lighting. The nuts were lightly baked so that the hard shells cracked open. The oily kernels were threaded 10 or 12 at a time onto the stiff midrib of a coconut leaf or strip of bamboo. The top kernel was lighted and burned for about 2 to 3 minutes, igniting the kernel below. The result was a primitive candle that burned for about a half hour. Often these strings of kukui kernels were laid in a cupped stone receptacle, later called a stone lamp. Naturally, seeing the burning nuts, the first European visitors to Hawaii christened the kukui the "candlenut".

Torches made with kukui kernels were used by fisherman for night fishing on the reef and at evening ceremonies at heiaus. Even when warriors were called to battle, they were required to bring kukui nuts with them to make torches.

So when you need to cut back on the electric bill or can't find that flashlight in the middle of a black out remember to hone your inner Hawaiian and light up kukui kernels or oil for illumination.

Sony Open 2009 Golf tournament

We're going to the Sony Open at Waialae Country Club this weekend - January 17 and 18, 2009. If you'll be out on the course all day and need sun protection - stop by and apply natural kukui oil or lotion to help prevent sunburn.