This week’s drink comes from Aloha-n-Paradise, located right across the street from Ishihara Market. Aloha-n-Paradise is run by Candy Baar, who owns and operates Aloha-n-Paradise for the past eight years. Aloha-n-Paradise is an art and event gallery, housing art from
This week’s drink comes from Aloha-n-Paradise, located right across the street from Ishihara Market.
Aloha-n-Paradise is run by Candy Baar, who owns and operates Aloha-n-Paradise for the past eight years. Aloha-n-Paradise is an art and event gallery, housing art from 10 local artists, and is also an espresso bar.
I must have lived under a rock for the past decade to not have known about this awesome place.
Aloha-n-Paradise is also an Internet cafe — two computers are situated inside for your pleasure.
Baar serves a variety of beverages — her selection includes espresso, cappuccino, mocha, hot chocolate and chai tea.
Baar said she uses a special blend of coffee from Kaua‘i Roastery: “I use a third Kaua‘i coffee, a third from Indonesia and a third from Columbia.”
Baar added that she can do regular or decaf coffee and she can brew the coffee hot or serve the coffee cold.
I showed up at the cafe unannounced, but Baar was ecstatic at the opportunity to showcase her top seller.
Hand-pulled Espresso Americano
The espresso comes in two sizes: 12 ounces for $3 and 16 ounces for $3.50.
Baar explained the process of creating the beverage: “It’s a very calibrated, particular process to do it correctly. You want to tap it down (on the espresso machine) at the right amount of pressure, which is 35 pounds of pressure. I use the ionized-alkaline water … when it comes out of the broiler, it drips out a quarter inch of crema (the foam with a creamy texture).”
The special blend of Kaua‘i coffee, Indonesian coffee and Colombian coffee gives this espresso a very unique taste. I never would have thought that I would drink an espresso in Waimea. Times are certainly changing.
Apart from the delicious coffee, Aloha-n-Paradise has an enjoyable atmosphere. I especially enjoyed chatting up with Baar about the history of the surrounding buildings in the area and all the art that is housed in her gallery.
Aloha-n-Paradise is open Monday to Friday from 7 to noon and Saturday from 8 to noon. Aloha-n-Paradise is located on 9905 Waimea Road in Waimea, behind Hofgaard Park. For more information call 338-1522 or visit www.alohanparadise.com.
