Eating green in Honolulu

April 22, 12:09 AMHonolulu Restaurant ExaminerNina Maxwell

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At Lanikai Juice, ask for a bio-bowl (instead of styrofoam ).

Today is Earth Day, so to hop on to the green bandwagon, I'll highlight some restaurants in Honolulu that are making an effort to be eco-conscious.

While many places here still offer takeout in styrofoam clamshells, a growing number of eateries are beginning to offer biodegradable takeout containers made of cornstarch plastic or bagasse (which is sugarcane fiber). 

Among them are Town in Kaimuki, Wahoo's Fish Tacos at Ward, The Shack in Hawaii Kai and Food For Thought in Haleiwa. 

There are also biodegradable cups, utensils and straws, not to mention recycled napkins.

The trend is also taking off  in the food and wine industry — from Fujioka's Wine Times to the Hokulani Bake Shop at Restaurant Row and Ginniberries Catering.

Both Haleiwa and Kailua seem to be at the forefront of the biodegradable container trend. In Kailua, count Morning Brew, Kalapawai Cafe, Uahi Island Grill and Buzz's Original Steak House among the converted.

At Lanikai Juice in Kailua, one of the best places to get an acai bowl or fresh fruit smoothie, they like to give you the choice.

You can choose to pay a little extra (10 cents) for the biodegradable containers by ordering an "Acai bowl in a bio-bowl" at the counter. While we're talking about Lanikai Juice, they've got the best Acai bowls, including new gourmet smoothie bowls that were just launched, topped with organic granola, nuts and sliced bananas (More on Lanikai Juice later).

Honolulu-based Styrophobia is one of the distributors of the biodegradable containers in Hawaii, which range from utensils to straws, cups, plates, takeout boxes and clamshells. But since the trend caught on, there are also many others.

At Whole Foods Market at Kahala Mall, you can  pick up a container and lid made of bulrush, another biodegradable alternative, at the salad bar. Down To Earth Natural Foods, a longtime natural foods and vegetarian store with stores on Maui and Oahu, has a great salad bar as well, and will be switching to biodegradable carryout bags beginning today, Earth Day.

If you want to be eco-conscious, you can also patronize restaurants that buy from local farmers, not only to support agriculture in Hawaii, but to reduce the carbon footprint necessary to transport produce across at least 2,000 miles of ocean.

Chefs Alan Wong, Roy Yamaguchi of the famous Roy's Restaurants, and Russell Siu of 3660 on The Rise were pioneers of the Hawaii Regional Cuisine movement. Up and coming chefs include Ed Kenney of Town and Downtown as well as Sean Priester at Top of Waikiki.

Support farmers directly by going to farmers' markets sponsored by the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation. Don't forget to bring your own reusable tote.

Simple everyday ways to be green:
>> Bring your own reusable totes to the supermarket for your groceries. This can also include recycling the plastic bags you use to carry your apples and veggies in.

>> Support local farmers at restaurants, farmers' markets and the supermarket.

>> When possible, walk or bike to your destination, especially when the weather is sunny, as it is year-round in Honolulu.

>> Recycle your plastic, glass and aluminum bottles and newspapers. Curbside recycling is now spreading to more parts of Oahu, but you can also donate these items at school bins all around the island.

>> Be conscious of how much you consume, what you consume and what your carbon footprint is. Don't let anyone greenwash you into buying an item just to market Earth Day.

>> Invest in solar technology and compact fluorescent bulbs. They'll probably save you money and energy.

>> Go for native plants in your backyard instead of an invasive species. You can buy native plants at Home Depot in Hawaii.

>> If you don't need a plastic bag, say you don't need it when purchasing something from the store.

>> Support restaurants and eateries that have switched to biodegradable cups and takeout containers.

>>At the beach, pick up litter, even if it's not yours, to keep it from getting into the ocean — especially cigarette butts and plastic bags, which can choke marine life. You can get involved with non-profits like Beach Environmental Awareness Campaign Hawaii.