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Nothing says “Hawaii” like pineapple. A cooking segment on national television yesterday featured pineapple recipes as part of a luau theme. And yet, even while living in Hawaii, I learned three things about the fruit when I visited the Dole Pineapple Plantation.
First: Pineapples do not grow on trees.
Until then, my closest encounter with a pineapple was from a can or in the produce section of a grocery store. Even after moving to Hawaii, I found pineapples at the weekly Farmer’s Market. (They were a product that I could identify without photos from the Farmers Market Cookbook.)
When my sister visited from the mainland, we stopped at the Dole Pineapple Plantation on our tour of Oahu. I was introduced to pineapples in the wild — on short bush-like plants. Not only were they much closer to the ground than I imagined, they also came in many varieties. I guess it shouldn’t be surprising that pineapples come in different types, like apples, but I always equated the name with a standard yellow icon. Twenty varieties are grown in a display garden near the entrance with helpful nameplates.
Second: Pineapples are not native to Hawaii.
The plantation has a series of signs that tell the history of pineapple in Hawaii. Although the fruit seems almost synonymous with Hawaii, it is not native to the islands. In fact, the Hawaiian name for pineapple means "foreign fruit" (halakahiki). Wandering around the pineapple display garden and reading the signs is free and, for me, the most interesting part of the stop (except maybe getting a photo of my sister and me with our heads stuck through a board so it looks like we’re in a pile of pineapple, also free – and priceless for embarrassing our children).
Third: Sometimes you learn more as a tourist than as a local.
I would not have driven out to the plantation on my own – at least partly because I now think that driving 30 miles is SO FAR AWAY (a consequence of living on an island). But there is a lot of information presented in an entertaining manner aimed at visitors who are interested in Hawaii but don’t know a lot about it. Sometimes, that’s more valuable than an authentic “local” experience.
July 29th, 2010
Lava can again be seen flowing from a volcano on the Big Island of Hawai‘i. Lava flows today have reached the edge of a slope, which is sending the lava along the ridge to the east and west. Eastern flows bring the lava closer to residences. The United States Geological Service says that if the flows get stronger, they may push over the ridge and into the ocean. The USGS created a composite image that uses a normal photograph along with thermal imaging to show the active flow front in Kalapana.
Beginning last weekend, eruptive activity took place at two locations. One is in what is called the "east rift zone" where lava is flowing through tubes to the surface along highway 137. That advance is near homes. As the lava met the Kalapana access road, the burning asphalt created a plume of thick, black smoke.
Big Island police caution visitors that travel is restricted in that area. Vehicles are allowed to drive into the roadway from the point where Route 130 is covered by lava up to a parking lot with a guard shack. Beyond that point, the road is closed to everyone but residents. The only people allowed to park along the road beyond the warning sign are those who work with the Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
A second area of activity is at the summit eruptive vent within Halema‘uma‘u Crater. There, a "crusted and circulating lava pond produced red glow visible from the Jaggar Museum overnight." A description of this vent is provided by the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
"Halema`uma`u Overlook vent: has been difficult to describe concisely. The vent is actually a pit, or crater, in the floor of the larger Halema`uma`u Crater in the floor of the larger Kilauea caldera or crater - a crater within a crater within a crater. It is easiest to describe as a pit inset within the floor of a crater within a caldera. The pit is about 140 m (460 ft) in diameter at the Halema`uma`u Crater floor, is about 50 m in diameter at the pit floor, and is about 200 m (660 ft) deep. As of November, 2009, a lava pond surface has been visible in a hole in the floor of this pit."
Kilauea is always an active volcano, but fresh lava flows do not always extend out to where they are visibile by residents or visitors. Kilauea erupts from three main areas: its summit and two rift zones. The summit is high due to the frequent eruptions but the USGS says more eruptions occur at the long rift zones, which creates ridges that reach out from the summit. Many of the eruptions are gentle, with lava flows of several yards that increase the hight of the summit and build up the rift zones. According to the USGS, sporadic explosions will continue to cause destruction, "We cannot tell how much larger Kilauea will grow or when it will stop, but it will surely continue to erupt through the rest of human history"
(Photo of lava on road by Richard Denton, thermal image courtesy of the U.S. Department of Interior, U.S. Geological Survey.)
July 24th, 2010
The rule of monarchy ended on the United States mainland with a war and in Hawaii with a coup. July 4 is an important date to both. Some here note with sadness the end of the Hawaiian Kingdom and the role of U.S. colonists in its demise.
The islands of Hawaii were united into a single kingdom by King Kamehameha I in 1810. Over the next eighty years, Hawaii became an active commercial sea port. American colonists followed the missionaries who arrived in 1820 and became increasingly involved in the government of the islands. Over this time, also, western disease decimated the Native Hawaiian population. Some estimates put the number of Native Hawaiians at nearly a million at the time of contact with the west; that number plummeted to just over 22,000 by 1920.
This was also a time of rapid cultural change in Hawaii. The monarchy was challenged by the influx of foreigners with different views of religion, land ownership and the role of commerce. Western nations were competing with one another to place flags of conquest on newly-discovered islands across the Pacific. Hawaii was subject to a military occupation by Britain for five months in 1843. The end of that rule is celebrated each year as "Restoration Day" when the flag of the Hawaiian Kingdom flew once again, replacing the Union Jack.
In 1893 American colonists overthrew the Hawaiian Kingdom, deposing Queen Lili‘uokalani. Many hoped that the United States government would return control of the islands to the monarchy, as Britain had done earlier. However, on July 4, 1894 the provisional government proclaimed the Republic of Hawaii with Sanford B. Dole as President. Four years later, Hawaii became a territory of the United States.
While this basic timeline is relatively undisputed (and served as the basis of the Apology Resolution by the U.S. Congress in 1993), there are many different interpretations of history and no clear consensus on what an appropriate remedy might be, if any. Traditional July 4 festivities celebrate American independence with fireworks, parades and picnics in Hawaii, and residents of every descent take part. However, many Native Hawaiians still experience a sense of loss on this date of dual historic significance.
July 4th, 2010
My new office location in an ancient valley is said to be a favorite of Hawaiian spirits. Working too late at night might cause an accidental introduction to Night Marchers, I’m told.
The warnings are said in a hushed tone with big eyes and an almost smile. But they’re also made in the same tone as people in New Orleans speak of voodoo: not exactly believing but certainly not willing to risk offense just in case. Part of the legend is fairly consistent: what to do if you encounter a Night Marcher. The instructions are to lie face down on the ground, avoid eye contact, remain still and quiet and not respond even if you feel a nudge. Less clear is who these Night Marchers are and why they walk. Some say they are ghosts of warriors and are especially strong in areas of old battlefields. Others say that the marches include the sounds of drums and the blowing of a conch shell, along with gods or symbols of gods.
Hawaii certainly is a place filled with spirits and enough conflict to support legends. I’m fully willing to leave open the possibility that some of them may pass through my new basement office on their way from the mountains to the sea. It does bother me a little, though, to see the legend treated as a "ghost story". It seems to trivialize the idea that many, many Hawaiians have died on these islands, some at the hands of invaders but many thousands more by the diseases they carried. Some estimates place the number of Native Hawaiians living on the islands at nearly a million in 1778 which plummeted to only 22,600 by 1919. Surely this is a tragedy of a different sort than the fabrications told around camp fires to frighten youngsters.
I may settle for keeping ti leaves in my office. They are mentioned as a sort of talisman to ward off the Night Marchers but also are used to wrap offerings or in food preparation. Their many applications seem to suit my multi-dimensional and misty feelings about Night Marchers.
Posted by Cindy Scheopner Follow me on Twitter @Scheopner
June 27th, 2010
Each Hawaiian island packs an amazing variety of experiences into a small space. Although the exotic tropical beauty is the same, each vacation is as individual as the participants.
I am welcoming the fourth group of visitors from my immediate family in a year. The four groups all visited only Oahu, stayed one week, spent a modest amount of money — and yet they had no activities in common. The only location they shared was
Ala Moana Shopping Center, and that is probably because I meet them there for a meal or a drink as it’s convenient to my bus ride back to Kailua.
The first visitors, my sister and her husband, came as a couple. They are educators and came with a list of attractions they had heard recommended by friends. We managed to balance sightseeing with restful periods on the beach and a romantic
dinner or two. They planned one activity per day, taking advantage of tours to Pearl Harbor and Hanauma Bay that pick up from Waikiki Hotels. On their last day, we rented a car to tour the island, ending up at the airport. They returned with photos and information on many Oahu attractions for their students and clients.
My daughter and granddaughter enjoyed the ultimate budget experience and still had so much fun neither wanted to go home. They were celebrating my daughter’s recent graduation and wanted to relax. Their hotel had a swimming pool with a wonderful view of the beach, was across the street from the zoo and walking distance to the aquarium — both fun and inexpensive activities for families with children.
My nephew and his wife are a young couple who checked out the North Shore, golf courses and Waikiki night spots. Next to visit will be my mother and a friend who share an interest in history. I’m looking forward to accompanying them to historic sites in downtown Honolulu and perhaps the history/cultural trolley tour.
This is obviously a very small sample compared with the many visits coordinated by professionals such as Hawaii Aloha Travel, but it demonstrates the diverse experiences available in Hawaii. In the coming year, we’re branching out to the
other islands!
Posted by Cindy Scheopner Follow me on Twitter @Scheopner
June 25th, 2010
The statue of King Kamehameha I received a lot of attention last week, draped in lei as part of the annual celebration. But the building behind the statue of the king is just as significant for Hawaii history. Called Ali‘iloani Hale, the Judiciary Building is the home of Hawaii’s Supreme Court and the King Kamehameha V Judiciary History Center.
The building was originally designed as a palace. One report says that King Kamehameha V decided that the islands needed a government building more than they needed a royal residence. Another report says cost overruns prompted the deletion of the planned palace addition. Either way, this building has always been used for judicial purposes. The cornerstone was laid by King Kamehameha V in a Masonic ceremony in 1872. The king died before the building was finished, as did his successor, King Lunalilo.
Ali‘olani Hale formally opened on April 30, 1874 during the reign of King Kalakua. It is older than the building it faces, Iolani Palace, which was built in 1882. The kingdom’s first museum opened on the ground floor shortly after. The famous statue in front of the building was added in 1883. In 1892, Kalakua’s sister and successor, Queen Lili‘oukalani, opened the kingdom’s last legislative session in the building.
Although Hawaii is no longer ruled by royalty, other parts of the building history remain the same. The statue of King Kamehameha I still stands in front, draped with lei each June 11. The building is still dedicated to the public and houses the judiciary. And there is a museum on the ground floor.
The King Kamehameha V Judiciary History Center is open weekdays from 8-4 pm. It is free, although donations are encouraged. Exhibits tell the story of 1,000 years of judicial history from the kapu system of ancient Hawaii to present day laws and courts. The center exists to help people understand Hawaii’s unique legal history and the judicial process. Thousands of people visit each year, including many school children.
The building and the judicial history center are very convenient to visit. I enjoyed the posters and photographs of early Hawaii. They are easy to understand and very informative for anyone with an interest in history or law. I personally enjoyed the role played by several prominent women in Hawaii legal history. As they say, behind every successful man …..
Posted by Cindy Scheopner Follow me on Twitter @Scheopner
June 16th, 2010
If you have been following our blog or listening to our podcasts you’ve heard us talk about a favorite Hawaii dish called Loco Moco. It’s on the breakfast menus all over the islands and comes in many different forms with the same basic ingredients. A typical recipe calls for hamburger, grated onions, beef broth, Worcestershire Sauce, egg and white rice. Restaurants here take pride in how they prepare this dish all claiming to have the "best".
The dish was originally created by the folks who owned the Lincoln Grill in Hilo back in 1949. Some boys from a local sports club who didn’t have a lot of spending money asked the owners to put some rice in a Saimin Bowl with a hamburger patty with brown gravy poured over the whole thing. The dish got popular, remained on the menu, and the rest is history.
Starting this weekend the quest for finding the best Loco Moco will begin and if you’re in town this weekend, you can attend the kickoff of the "Loco Moco Smackdown" event at the Cheeseburger Restaurant at the Waikiki Beach Walk. The fun begins this Saturday, June 19 at 11 AM. The kickoff contest will consist of celebrity judges who will challenge each other to a Loco Moco eating competition, blindfold and whoever finishes first wins the contest.
The competition will be running from June 19 to July 20 with various restaurants participating by offering their own versions of this favorite Hawaiian staple so if you can’t make it to the kickoff contest you’ll have plenty of opportunity to enjoy some good Loco Moco while your on your Hawaii Vacation.
The participating restaurants are:
- Ocean House
- Cheeseburger Restaurant Waikiki
- Jimmy Buffett’s
- Giovanni Pastrami
- Keoni’s by Keo
- Hula Grill
If you need more information just feel free to give us a call and any agent can help you with this or any other restaurant suggestions you might need at 1-800-843-8771.
Posted by Bruce Fisher follow me on twitter @alohabruce
June 14th, 2010
Bruce and Yaling Fisher are among several in the Hawaii travel industry receiving awards at the WAVE Awards Gala today at the Four Seasons Hotel Las Angeles in Beverly Hills, California. Bruce Fisher won the runner-up award in the category of Travel Agent Superstar, which recognizes an agent’s ability to generate sales despite the odds. The award includes a seven-night cruise of the Mexican Riviera provided by Royal Caribbean. The Trendsetter Awards are presented by TravelAge West Magazine.
President Obama gave a nod to Hawaii history today, signing a proclamation honoring King Kamehameha the Great and urging the nation to celebrate June 11 as Kamehameha Day along with Hawaii. The statement calls on "all Americans to celebrate the rich heritage of Hawaii with appropriate ceremonies and activities."
In Honolulu, those activities will include draping the King Kamehameha I statue in lei on Friday and the 94th King Kamehameha Floral Parade beginning at 9 am on Saturday. The parade winds along Ala Moana Boulevard ending at ‘Iolani Palace. The palace grounds will then be the site of an all-day Ho‘olaule‘a Saturday: crafts, cultural and educational exhibits and entertainment including music and hula.
The celebration in honor of King Kamehameha I shares the weekend with the Pan-Pacific Festival. Friday evening will be a hula festival in Waikiki at the hula mound near the Duke Kahanomoku statue. Saturday afternoon and evening is a hula competition between halau from Hawaii and Japan. The festival concludes with a parade Sunday evening along Kalaukaua Avenue to Kapiolani Park. It includes cultural groups from around the Pacific — last year, there were over two thousand participants in the parade!
If you are on Oahu this weekend, the opportunities to experience the music, dance and celebration that is Hawaii are plentiful. If you are planning a vacation, keep in mind that this special time is celebrated each June. Either way, if you are near Waikiki or downtown Honolulu Friday, Saturday or Sunday, expect traffic delays and relax. There’s no hurry, it’s time to party!
June 10th, 2010
On my days off from work, you can usually find me hanging out in the historic Lahaina Town at these following locations. These are all great places to shop, dine, and even relax after the long hour drive in from Central or South Maui. Drive times vary daily in and out of Lahaina town. During the over night/early morning hours it will take about 20 minutes to get in/out of West Maui. Morning/Noon it will take about 45 minutes to an hour to get in/out. Afternoon/Night time plan on 1 hour and 15 minutes to get in/out of West Maui.
My favourite hang out places in Lahaina town and West Maui are at the Lahaina Cannery Mall, Lahaina Gateway Shops, and Front Street. You can find a lot of specialty shops, restaurants, and even get to see free hula shows put on by the local Maui Hula Halaus. Halau (Hah Lau) is a group of hula dancers.
Lahaina Cannery Mall is Maui’s only Fully Air Conditioned and enclosed shopping complex. Great place to be when the elements are not so great. Here you can find a ton of great shops and watch free hula shows.
Lahaina Gateway Shops is one of the largest shopping open air complexes in West Maui. Like at the Lahaina Cannery you get to see free Hula shows and has even more great shops.
Front Street is where the Marti Gras of the Pacific takes place on Halloween. There are a ton of great shops and activity desks around. Don’t forget to be on the look out in the water for whales, dolphins, and honu (ho new) green sea turtle swimming out there. Great place for free whale watches right from the restaurant or shop your shopping in. You may even get to encounter a Monk Seal basking in the sun.
Word from NOAA/State DLNR-Police/County Police: It is a federal offense to go with in 100 yards of the Green Sea Turtles, humpback whales, and Monk Seals. These are endangered species. Please do not go up to them to pet or feed them. If cited you will be fined. You can take good pictures of these animals from 100 yards away. Please do not approach them in any way shape or form. If one swims up to you, please back away to prevent an inconvenient fine if cited. If your out on a rented boat same rules apply. Do not run engines at full power to get away for this may injure or kill the animal so please go a 1/4-1/2 power then once cleared you can go to full power to get away. To Report any violations of people engaging in these offenses on our beaches or out in the water, please contact us at NOAA , State DLNR Police, or the Maui Police Department. Mahalo for your understanding and have a great vacation.
Don’t forget to ride the Sugar Cane Train (Lahaina Ka’anapali and Pacific Railroad). The singing conductor will narrate the history of Old Lahaina town and even sing a lot of Hawaiian songs for you en route to Pu’ukoli’i or Lahaina
You can also go check out Hale Pa’i at the Lahainaluna High School Campus. Just make sure to call the school office before heading up there since it is a high school still operating today.
Lahaina town is the former capitol of the old Kingdom of Hawaii. You can also see all of the buildings that were built in the late 1800s. A majority of them are still standing today.
Remember to take a ton of photos while your in the former capitol of Hawaii. Then after all of this, head on over into Ka’anapali for a swim in the best beaches in West Maui. Hope you find these tips helpful to you on your next Maui vacation. To book with us, please check out http://hawaii-aloha.com and speak with an agent today.
Posted by Jake Smookler follow on twitter Hawaii_Vacation
June 7th, 2010
One of the best views of Honolulu includes history and horizon — and it’s free! Aloha Tower is a vertical slice of land, water, sky and the many ways people inhabit them.
Aloha Tower was the tallest structure in Hawaii when it was built in 1926. The tenth floor observation deck has signs on all four sides that point out the visible landmarks, including Diamond Head, Honolulu Harbor, the Ko’olau Mountains and the various neighborhoods of Honolulu. The deck is reached through a vintage elevator; it is open to the public from 9:30 - 5:00 daily, admission is free.
According to its website, the tower "continues to function as the Harbor Master’s traffic control center for Honolulu Harbor and serves as a welcoming landmark for both cruise ships and container vessels." From the tower or at ground level, you can watch cargo ships filled with containers (the size of the back of a semi-trailer truck) that are the life-blood of Hawaii commerce. They are maneuvered in and out of the harbor by tug boats in a precise aquatic ballet. The harbor traffic also includes cruise ships and Coast Guard vessels of various sizes.
Several restaurants have outdoor seating that overlooks the harbor. We often visit them for happy hour specials to enjoy sunset on the water. Most have live musical entertainment in the evenings. In addition to the restaurants, there are stores in the mall area and trinket/souvenir shops outside. It is a good place to shop for gifts from ukulele to clothing to key chains and everything in between — including decorated coconuts. I recommend it often due to the range of gifts available. Frequently, there are special events such as car shows or expos to add to the fun.
The tower stands as a pivot point between Honolulu harbor and the city. It is accessible by car, trolley, or bus. Its web site says the tower is the only place in the nation that combines a visitor attraction, a marketplace and a working commercial harbor facility. It is certainly unique and well worth a stop. Where could you possibly get more for less?
Posted by Cindy Scheopner Follow me on Twitter @Scheopner
May 19th, 2010
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