Coconut:
Drinking fresh, cold coconut water straight from the coconut is so refreshing! Coconut water has gained popularity in recent years, and for good reason. Often referred to as “nature’s sports drink,” coconut water is a wonderful source of amino acids, vitamins, and minerals, including calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, and potassium. The natural electrolytes in coconut help replenish and hydrate. The coconut palm is a member of the palm family and the only known living species of the genus Cocos.
The coconut palm thrives in sandy soils. It prefers areas with abundant sunlight and regular rainfall, which makes colonization of the coasts of tropical Hawaii relatively easy.
Coconuts in hawaii:
The word Hawaii inspires images of coconut trees gently swaying over white beaches and blue waves. This makes it difficult to believe that coconuts are not indigenous to the islands. Polynesian settlers brought these trees to Hawaii hundreds of years ago. And coconuts in Hawaii flourished in area’s tropical climate and lush soil.
The coconut trees or nui in Hawaiian are palms that can reach up to 100 feet in height. Their nuts have a fibrous exterior and can take nearly a year to mature. The palm blooms continually and its nuts have hard inner shells with a soft, meaty interior filled with coconut milk.
The Pu’uhonua O Honaunau site on the Big Island has a historic coconut grove where visitors can view the trees. There is a large famous grove on Molokai in Kapuaiwa. The Royal Hawaiian Resort in Waikiki has a small coconut grove. While the Kapalua Resort has a 12 acre coconut grove. But anyone viewing coconut trees should always proceed with caution, as falling coconuts are dangerous.
Coconuts festival:
The Kapa’a Business Association in Kauai holds an annual Coconut Festival in Kapa’a Beach Park in October. Here, attendees can enjoy coconut crafts and artwork, playing coconut games, learn how the trees grow and taste foods with coconut. Live music, hula dancing, petting zoo, inflatable bounce houses and coconut dishes make it an exciting outing for all. While the Big Island sometimes hosts a Hilo Coconut Festival in October. Here, children can also get their faces painted, learn traditional dances, listen to songs and bowl with coconuts. At this festival, there are also coconut recipes and drinks for everyone to sample.
Come get your coconut. We'll open one for you at the fruit stand or a cold one at the Cafeteria and you can enjoy!
