Pa'akai...

In Hanapepe. Kaua'i. Generations upon generations of Hawaiians have made sea salt at lo'i containing punawai, or salt-water springs. On your hands and knees, you use a pohaku, a stone, to massage the mud until a glassy waterproof layer forms. Then the sea water is allowed to enter the wai ku ponds. In a little over a week, the sea water has evaporated. The process is repeated. And then the salt is dried in the sun. Often 'alaea, or reddish ocherous earth is added turning the pa'akai reddish. It has tremendous healing and spiritual properties. The salt here is not sold. Only gifted for a variety of important uses in the spirit of Aloha...