Posted on: Monday, February 24, 2003

EDITORIAL
Caffeinate White House with Island homegrown

Anyone who watches "The West Wing" might have surmised that the White House staff and their guests consume gallons of coffee. So it's a good bet that Gov. Linda Lingle has grounds to propose that the real-life White House exclusively serve Hawaiian-grown.

After all, Hawai'i is the only state in the union — as far as we know — that grows coffee commercially. Texas certainly doesn't. We've heard plenty of steak and barbecue is gobbled at the White House, and it's not just a Republican thing. Bill Clinton liked his steak, too.

But back to coffee. The state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism suggested Lingle peddle Hawai'i-grown brew to the White House. And we think they should embrace the offer. It's their patriotic duty, is it not? And how about those macadamia nuts? They even make coffee-flavored ones. It's time America tasted the nature's bounty our Islands provide.