KOLOA — If eggs were on the menu at the Koloa Elementary School pancake breakfast, it would have been an ideal venue to sample the Hawaiian Habanero Heat. Ryan Buhk, the producer of the hot sauce, said two of his
KOLOA — If eggs were on the menu at the Koloa Elementary School pancake breakfast, it would have been an ideal venue to sample the Hawaiian Habanero Heat.
Ryan Buhk, the producer of the hot sauce, said two of his daughters attend Koloa School and he was on hand to help one of them fundraise.
“I’m the only one who didn’t go to Koloa School,” Buhk said between sales. “My mother and grandmother both went to Koloa School, and I have two daughters, one in the second grade and the other in the fourth grade, going to Koloa School. Unfortunately, I went to school on the Mainland.”
But that didn’t stop Buhk from wanting to produce a product that is centered in Koloa.
The Hawaiian Habanero Heat has been on the market, mostly on the South Shore, for about a year, Buhk said. It’s also being used by several restaurants in the area.
“Having it on the South Shore has been kind of a beta test for The Habanero Heat,” Buhk said. “The reception for it has been great. I’ve already gotten re-orders from visitors who picked it up, brought it home, and now want more.”
Buhk said he was motivated to develop Hawaiian Habanero Heat after he wanted more heat than hot sauces on retail shelves.
“I like a little heat to compliment food flavors,” Buhk said. “This gives you heat, but it does not mask the flavors of the different foods.”
Since producing the sauce through the certified kitchens at Dalai Deli in Koloa, Buhk said the product can be found at places like Sueoka’s Store, Kukui‘ula Store, the National Tropical Botanical Gardens gift shop, and Living Foods at the Kukui‘ula Village.
Additionally, Buhk said there are several restaurants using Hawaiian Habanero Heat, including Joe’s on the Green, the Kalaheo Cafe, and both the Po‘ipu and Lihu‘e locations of Kalapaki Joe’s where he says they have it on the table.
Kalapaki Joe’s is one of the few places outside of the South Shore that has it for diners to enjoy.
A flier available with the display at Koloa School states Hawaiian Habanero Heat can bring heat to favorite dishes like stew and rice, chili and rice, pizza, pasta, eggs, potatoes, and soups.
Edamame, or boiled soy beans, Quesadillas, Guacamole, Nachos, and Veggie Dip also get a rise in heat. It can also be used to perk up beverages like Bloody Marys, Tequila shots and Cerveza.
Buhk said they are working on getting a website on the product together and hopes to have it on the Internet by the end of the year.
“We are a true farm-to-table product,” Buhk said. “We grow and process everything in Koloa.”
For those who cannot find the product in South Shore stores, Buhk said they are able to order by e-mailing him at koloamercantile@yahoo.com.
