Grow Hawai'i

By Claire Ku'uleilani Hughes, Ph.D., R.D.

Home gardens, even lānai planter-box gardens, can provide a wide variety of fruits and vegetables of high nutritional quality for the family. Successful home farmers save on their food budget and provide protective vitamins and minerals to their families, friends and neighbors. My favorite, mangos, are indigenous to Southern Asia. The first mango, the common mango, was brought to Hawai'i from Manila in early 1800s. Hayden and Pirie mango are larger and 'ono, so are more preferred today. Mangos are a rich source of vitamin A and carbohydrates and a good source of vitamin C.

The truly Hawaiian fruits are mountain apples, bananas and 'ohelo berries. 'Ōhi'a 'ai, mountain apples, are natives of the Malayan Archipelago that arrived during the earliest migration of Hawaiians. These trees flourish in deep mountain valleys on all islands. Most trees produce prodigious amounts of fruit from late summer through October. Eating just five or six fruits gives you more than the required daily allowance of vitamin C. 'Ohelo berries are one of a few berries that grow on native plants and were never cultivated. 'Ohelo berries are found only on Hawai'i and East Maui at fairly high altitudes, where they thrive on lava flows, beds of volcanic ash and cinders. The berries are considered sacred to the goddess Pele. It is customary to make an offering to Pele before picking. 'Ohelo berries are a fair source of B and C vitamins.

Bananas are the kinolau of Kanaloa, the god of the sea. Today, fishermen still don't take bananas with them when they go fishing, so as not to incur Kanaloa's displeasure that would reduce the size of their catch. - Photo: Jupiter Images

Early Hawaiians brought banana plants with them as growing rhizomes from the islands south of Hawai'i. In ancient Hawai'i, bananas were kapu to women, except for the varieties that Wākea designated as noa (free from kapu), pōpō'ulu and iholena among them. These varieties were tastier when cooked.

Two banana mo'olelo illustrate their cultural importance. The first tells how Kāne and Kanaloa travel around the island chain together. Kanaloa would find a water source then Kāne would use his 'ō'ō to make a puka to allow the water to flow. Once this was done, they would plant bananas nearby. Bananas are the kinolau of Kanaloa, the god of the sea. Today, fishermen still don't take bananas with them when they go fishing, so as not to incur Kanaloa's displeasure that would reduce the size of their catch. Another mo'olelo tells how Pele was angered by Kūmauna, a tall foreigner from Kahiki, for refusing to do her bidding. He cultivated iholena banana in a marshy spot in a Ka'ū valley. Pele appeared as an old woman and he refused to share bananas with her. First, she sent cold, then, as he put his hands against his face for warmth, she overwhelmed him with a stream of molten lava. He remains encrusted in lava.

Hawai'i currently has several well-known varieties of guava – common and strawberry guava and others. A native of tropical America, guava came to Hawai'i from Australia in 1851. Because guava grows so easily, it has become a pest particularly in forest areas. Guavas are a rich source of vitamin C, which is easily destroyed when cooked. Fresh guava blended drinks are the most nutritious choice.

The arrival date of the papaya is uncertain. Since papaya has a Hawaiian name, hē'ī, some believe that it predates Western contact. Others believe Don Marin introduced it from the Marquesas prior to 1823. However, William Ellis describes "pawpaw apples" growing in Kona gardens. Solo papayas came to Hawai'i in 1919. Papayas have been improved, through selection and propagation, for our markets today. Papayas are an excellent source of vitamin C and a good source of vitamin A. The vitamin C content of a half-ripe papaya increases by 60 to 70 percent when it is allowed to fully ripen.

Hawai'i's climate and soils are good for growing a number of citrus as well. Limes, lemons, oranges and tangerines do well in many areas of Hawai'i. Both tangerines and oranges are good sources of vitamin C and vitamin A. Hawai'i's navel oranges are slightly higher in vitamin A than those grown in other areas. While limes and lemons contain vitamin C, it is difficult to consume sufficient quantities to consider their nutrient content.

Find a spot in your yard to grow fruit for your family and friends. Hawai'i's soil and climate will support you. "Lucky you live in Hawai'i."