Leah L Harbottle
Gregory Harbottle“Wait for it…”
“Wait for it…”
Are they coming??? Did the long-standing mainland love affair with Maui just call it quits? As of just a few short months ago we began to wonder as Maui’s typical winter season crowd wasn’t quite shaping up to the norm. Upcoming hotel reservations were much lower than usual, last minute airfare specials began popping up and maybe the biggest surprise yet…there were condos available with vacancies over the prized week surrounding Christmas, typically booked a year in advance. But then it suddenly happened; it was as if a proverbial faucet turned back on, and the reservations came pouring in. Vacancies in hotels and vacation rentals filled through the holiday season and reservations began to stack up once again for the pristine winter months. Indeed, they would be coming.
Contemplating this momentary blip as a locale that is largely dependent upon tourism, we ask ourselves the bigger question: why do people continue to come back year after year? As residents, we know why Maui is special to us but what keeps visitors coming back to this small island in the middle of the Pacific? Sure, the weather is great, and the beaches are beautiful but what is about Maui that makes it not just a “one and done” type of place?
From a historical perspective, the admiration for the island has been documented as early as the 1800’s when Samuel Kapu began using the phrase “Maui No Ka Oi” (Maui is the best) as a song lyric. Fast forward 200+ years and the sentiment are much the same. To us, it’s not necessarily any one thing specific, but rather the feeling you have when you’re here. There are few places in the world that combine the character of a small town and the creativity of island life. Paired with the depth of culture, the warmth of friendly people and spectacularly beautiful sights, and you’ve got something truly exceptional.
Maui No Ka Oi!
Aloha, Greg & Leah
This Instant Pot pork tenderloin is quick, easy, meaty, sweet – just amazing! This tenderloin and pineapple recipe makes a great dinner. It’s a really easy Instant Pot dinner recipe.
Instant Pot Hawaiian Pork Tenderloin
Ingredients
- 1 pork tenderloin
- 2 Tablespoon garlic paste
- 1 Tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 Tablespoon pepper fresh cracked peppercorn
- 1 Teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 Teaspoon onion powder
- 1 Teaspoon onion minced
- 1/4 Cup chicken broth
- 1 Can pineapple 20 Oz, crushed
- 1 Tablespoon ginger paste
- 1 Tablespoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 red onion
- 1 Sprig cilantro garnish
Instructions
1. Pat pork tenderloin dry and rub with garlic paste. This will act as an adhesive for the seasoning and will let the garlic seep into the meat while cooking.
2. In a small bowl, combine lemon zest, cracked peppercorn, garlic powder, onion powder, and minced onion. Rub seasoning onto the pork tenderloin.
3. Set the Instant Pot to sauté. Add 1 Tbsp. of coconut oil to the Instant Pot. Once melted, add the pork tenderloin.
4. Cook for 3 minutes, flip, and cook 3 more minutes. Remove the tenderloin and turn off Instant Pot.
5. Deglaze the bottom of the Instant Pot with chicken broth. Pour in crushed pineapple, ginger paste, and red pepper flakes. Stir to combine. Place the wire rack into the Instant Pot.
6. Add sliced pineapple and red onions atop the wire rack and rest the tenderloin on top. Seal the Instant Pot.
7. Set the Instant Pot to manual high pressure. Cook for 3 minutes. Allow natural release for 5 minutes, then quick release remaining pressure.
8. Remove the wire rack and pork from the Instant Pot and place onto a wooden cutting board. Let rest for 5 minutes. Be sure the internal temperature has reached 145 degrees.
9. Turn instant pot to sauté. Add 2 Tbsp. cornstarch and whisk to thicken, about 2 minutes. Turn off the Instant Pot and pour sauce into a bowl.
10. Cut the tenderloin into 1” slices. Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro and serve with pineapple glaze.
ENJOY!