Ho da pineapple lovers, we got some big news fo’ you! Da Wahiawa Pineapple Festival wen come back in full swing aftah one 5-year break. ??
Since 1949, dis festival stay one staple in Central Oahu, bringin’ togetha da people fo’ one pineapple-packed celebration. ??
Da festival stay one huge part of Wahiawa’s culture an’ heritage, so wen hundreds of people come togetha on Saturday, da feeling was electric. Young keiki, kupuna, an’ evrybody in between enjoyed da festivities, like da paper airplane competition, pineapple bake-off, ono grinds, sports tournaments, special performances, an’ much mo’. ???
For Kim-Hee Wong, dis festival stay special fo’ personal reasons too. “I remember going to the Wahiawa Pineapple Festival with my grandparents when I was little,” she said. Now as one fifth-generation Wahiawa resident, she stay more involved than eva, coordinating some of da festival’s biggest events. “It was really cool to see different community members from Wahiawa and outside, but all who have a shared affinity for our pineapple and the ways that they were so creative,” she said. ??????
But da festival stay more than jus’ a fun time fo’ da people of Wahiawa; it also stay important fo’ preservin’ their history. Da Wahiawa Historical Society’s proposed Wahiawa Museum stay goin’ benefit from da festival’s proceeds. “It’s to recognize that we have appreciation for our heritage; we pick pineapple, we worked in the canary, we worked in our community,” said Rene Mansho, board member of da Leilehua Alumni Community Association. ??️
While da festival stay a huge part of Wahiawa’s culture, it also stay connected to da Dole Food Company. Wahiawa stay da birthplace of Dole’s pineapple, but da company wen face some tough times in recent years. But as da economy bounce back aftah da pandemic, da people of Wahiawa can still count on Dole fo’ delicious, locally-grown pineapple. “Remind everybody that we are still here since 1901 growing pineapple in Wahiawa,” said Daniel Nellis, General Manager of Dole Food Company. “And we’re still going to be here; we’re on the way as we say.” ???
As da festival draws to a close, da people of Wahiawa can reflect on one successful day filled wit aloha, culture, an’ of course, pineapple. “I just love the fact that our community is able to come together and to celebrate the pineapple, which is something so special to us,” said Wong. ???
NOW IN ENGLISH
?? The Wahiawa Pineapple Festival Returns After 5-Year Hiatus
Attention pineapple enthusiasts! We have some exciting news for you. After a five-year hiatus, the Wahiawa Pineapple Festival is back in full swing. ??
This festival has been a staple in Central Oahu since 1949, bringing the community together for a pineapple-packed celebration. ??
The festival is an integral part of Wahiawa’s culture and heritage. So, when hundreds of people came together on Saturday, the atmosphere was electric. Young children, seniors, and everyone in between enjoyed the festivities, which included a paper airplane competition, pineapple bake-off, delicious food, sports tournaments, special performances, and much more. ???
For Kim-Hee Wong, the festival holds special personal significance. “I remember going to the Wahiawa Pineapple Festival with my grandparents when I was little,” she said. Now, as a fifth-generation Wahiawa resident, she is more involved than ever, coordinating some of the festival’s biggest events. “It was really cool to see different community members from Wahiawa and outside, but all who have a shared affinity for our pineapple and the ways that they were so creative,” she said. ??????
The festival is more than just a fun time for the people of Wahiawa. It is also important for preserving their history. The Wahiawa Historical Society’s proposed Wahiawa Museum will benefit from the festival’s proceeds. “It’s to recognize that we have appreciation for our heritage; we pick pineapple, we worked in the canary, we worked in our community,” said Rene Mansho, board member of the Leilehua Alumni Community Association. ??️
Although the festival is a huge part of Wahiawa’s culture, it is also connected to the Dole Food Company. Wahiawa is the birthplace of Dole’s pineapple, but the company has faced some tough times in recent years. However, as the economy bounces back after the pandemic, the people of Wahiawa can still count on Dole for delicious, locally grown pineapple. “Remind everybody that we are still here since 1901 growing pineapple in Wahiawa,” said Daniel Nellis, General Manager of Dole Food Company. “And we’re still going to be here; we’re on the way as we say.” ???
As the festival draws to a close, the people of Wahiawa can reflect on a successful day filled with aloha, culture, and, of course, pineapple. “I just love the fact that our community is able to come together and to celebrate the pineapple, which is something so special to us,” said Wong. ???
