Where: The Hawaiian General Store and Gallery, 258 45th St, Seattle

Owner: Gail Stringer, 206-633-5233

Just Like Visiting the Islands

I've been frequenting Hawaii for more than 15 years now. In the early 90's I had the pleasure of working with many of the local slack key guitarists. By '96 I had bought a place on Kauai and have been enjoying the garden isle since. I've got my two bedroom place, the spa, pool, snorkeling, body boarding, and of course the food. And when I come home each year there's one thing I want and can't get - Papaya and Mango Barbecue sauce. At least until now.

Last fall, the Hawaiian General Store opened on 45th near Latona and it is quickly becoming a regular stop for many islanders who now live in the Puget Sound. "We've been getting some great word of mouth," said owner Gail Stringer who moved to Seattle in 92 from her hometown of Honolulu.

The store is stocked full of items from the islands, and low and behold they carry my favorite Barbecue sauces! They also have a lot of native cracked seeds, Kauai Cookies, jams and jellies, coffee, and pancake mix. In the summer, the plan is to get a shaved ice machine and be able bring the snow cones that originated in Hawaii in the early 80's to the mainland.

The store is also stocked full of many other items including Hawaiian traditional and contemporary CD's from Apaka and Ho to Kieliee Riechel and Israel Kamakawoole. One of my favorite artists from Oahu is featured, Peggy Chun, along with many others who are popular around the island chain. Every week a fresh batch of leis arrives and is quickly bought up by patrons. "We are very active in the local luau's and a lot of people have discovered our store because of it's location," says Gail.

The store also offers classes in Hawaiian quilting, lei making and carries a wide selection of books about traveling to Hawaii and its history. They have added paddles and outdoor wear to their offerings with a selection of Aloha shirts unmatched anywhere in the Northwest.

Speaking first hand, I did feel a sense of "Aloha" in the store that one rarely experiences here in our cosmopolitan chilly Northwest region.

Summer is just around the corner, so when you get around to dusting off that grill, make sure you pop on over to the Hawaiian General Store and stock up on some great tropical treats and more.