Who knew? Who knew a couple of decades ago that Hawai'i could grow lavender or that it would become a viable business for more than one farm here? But it certainly has, and the best-known of the businesses has been Ali'i Kula Lavender in Kula, Maui. Now the farm has produced, in addition to food products, decorative items and other lavender-scented loveliness, a new book, "The Maui Book of Lavender" (Watermark, hardback, $22.95), which is a kind of all-things-lavender compendium, revealing the history of this storied herb, both in the world and in the Islands, telling the farm's story (it used to be about protea), offering gorgeous photos and recipes from the chefs who have worked with the farm. Throughout, you can smell the power of this herb that has healed and soothed and delighted throughout the centuries.

— Wanda Adams

FINAL WORD

"The bounty of wonderful foods available to us is a blessing, and also a curse."

— Bob Greene , "The Best Life Diet."