Hala kahiki (Pineapple)

ALOHA from beautiful Maui!  It's so fun to blog from this part of the world!!!  We are having a wonderful time here and I have been anticipating my first post about the pineapple!  We hadn't been on Maui for an hour and we already had 3 gorgeous pineapples in our grocery cart!  I 've done a little research on this yummy fruit and here is what I've found. 

The pineapple is associated with adventure and generosity, a symbol of hospitality and warm welcome. In Hawaii, and other cultures, the image of a pineapple has grown to symbolize a home's generous hospitality.  We associate the pineapple with Hawaii and the taste of the islands but actually, the pineapple was discovered in 1493 by Christopher Columbus in the Caribbean.  Pineapple was first canned in Hawaii and grown here as a major crop so Hawaii has come to be known for it's pineapple.



The three pineapples we brought home!



In Hawaiian tradition a hostesses would set a fresh pineapple in the center of their dining table  to show the warmest "Aloha" or the most gracious welcome a hostess could extend to her guests and often it also served as the dessert for the meal.  In Hawaii, the pineapple is everywhere!  The symbol of the pineapple is made into jewelry, carved out of wood, and photographed extensively to name a few.  I look forward to buying a few more souvenirs with the pineapple motif to put in my own home, to remind me of warm Hawaiian days and to symbolize my home's hospitality to all who enter.  My family enjoys pineapple when we come to Maui.  We have found our favorite is fresh pineapple with coconut pudding ice cream.  Wow, SO good!

I look forward to sharing a few more interesting Hawaiian traditions to show welcome and hospitality.  I'm sure most are familiar with the "Lei".  It is the flower necklace that many are greeted with when arriving to Maui.  I plan to photograph some plumeria (that some leis are made with) and give you an idea of how they're made.  Plumeria smell WONDERFUL so I will surely enjoy this adventure. 

Akua ho'omaika'i 'oe,  (God Bless You)
Laura