MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii -- The thought of Thanksgiving probably reminds most people of feasting on turkey, potatoes, pies, and many other filling, delicious delights. It also probably involves cooler weather, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and, of course, lots of football.
In Hawaii, the Thanksgiving holiday is much the same — minus, of course, the fact that the parade is on at a different time, and it’s not exactly sweater weather. Also, the dishes that are served on Thanksgiving Day in Hawaii can differ from the traditional feast that most have come to know.
To begin with, the first official Thanksgiving Day celebration in Hawaii has never actually been recorded. It is believed, though, that it took place in Honolulu and was held among the families of the American mission who were from New England, according to historical records.
Ancient Hawaiians have always celebrated the bounty of the harvest season, which they call, the Makahiki season. The Makahiki season was not only a time for feasting, but also a time for sports competitions and religious activities.
As a final finish to the season, Hawaiians would hold a huge feast called, “ka aha aina piha makahiki,” meaning the feast to have fullness for the year. Some of these feasts would last for up to one week.
The Hawaiian Thanksgiving tradition continues on today with what is known as the Hawaiian luau. The name, luau, comes from the taro leaves that are used to decorate and flavor the foods of the feast.
At the luau, pupus, or appetizers, are generally served as poke, a chilled salad of raw fish. Taro is mashed into poi, and even a sweet Maui onion can make a good side dish in Hawaii.
The main dish is referred to as Kau Kau, which is oftentimes a kalua pig. Sometimes, if space is available, the pig is prepared in the same manner in which the ancient Hawaiians prepared it — the whole pig is slow cooked by covering it with hot coals in an underground pit along with koa wood, banana stalks and leaves, called an imu.
However, for those who opt for the conventional oven, there are many recipes for oven-style kalua pork and other delicious pork recipes for a traditional Hawaiian Thanksgiving feast.