Aloha to the Dole Plantation

Oahu's central plain offers a hidden gem - the Dole Plantation.   

Above is the Pineapple Express.

Here's my mother, dancing the hula ... 

 ... as I play the ukulele!

I love the colors of the Mindanao Gum (Philippine Eucalyptus)!

 The signpost reminds me of M*A*S*H*! 

Of course we spotted pineapples ...

  
... even in pink!

  
The yellow hibiscus is the state flower.

The hibiscus comes in all colors, including hot pink!

The Hawaiian Red Ginger adds dimension to the gardens. 

   

 

The fox tail palm tree caught my eye ... and camera!

Monet, anyone?  What is your favorite flower?  One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.  This giveaway is open to all readers.  Comments are open through Saturday, September 22, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, September 23.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

We enjoyed a bowl of pineapple ice cream 

atop a bed of fresh cut pineapple!

Aloha to Mililani, Wahiawa, Birthing Stones, and Dole Plantation

Isabella, a college friend, recently visited Oahu with her family. Isabella lived on Mililani as a teenager and she invited me along for their adventure to Oahu's central flat plain between the two mountain chains

Although she lived in Mililani, she attended
middle school on Wheeler Army Airfield.

Near the school is a memorial
for the fallen.

Wheeler hosts historic aviation units,
dating back to December 7, 1941.

  

Always a good day in Hawaii!

We visited kama'aina (locals)
who has cultivated their garden!

They gave us fruit to leave at the
nearby Kukaniloka Birth Stones.

From HawaiiWeb (at this link),

Kukaniloko; "To Anchor the Cry from Within". This 5-acre historical site located in Central O'ahu is one of the most important sites in Hawai'i. Known as the Royal Birthing Stones, this location is where royal women were brought to give birth. Established in the 12th Century by an O'ahu chief for the birth of his son, Kapawa.

The lei are beautiful.

The central plain is conducive
to growing pineapple ...

   

... and the Dole Plantation
had plenty of pineapples!

Immigrants came from
all directions to work in
the pineapple fields.

  

I did not realize pineapple came in red!

Dole grows skinny pineapples ...

... and fat ones, too!

Here comes the Pineapple Express ... 

... with eager tourists!

Do you like tropical fruit?  If yes, what kind?  One randomly selected commenter wins a book choice from my convention stash.  This giveaway is open to all readers.  Comments are open through Saturday, June 16, 10  pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, June 17.


Mahalo,


Kim in Hawaii

The plantation also grows chocolate!