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Going (Coco) NUTS In Hawaii

It’s the only food festival in the world where I don’t walk away 5 pounds heavier. If it were not for the fact that I am allergic to the hearty fruit I would eat everything in sight at Kauai’s Coconut Festival. Believe me (I was born and raised in Hawaii); if you find yourself in the “Aloha State” during the month of October this is one event you don’t want to miss.

The 11th annual Kauai Coconut Festival takes place this year on October 6th and 7th at Kapaa Beach Park on the lush eastern portion of the Hawaiian Island of Kauai (also known as the Royal Coconut Coast.) Just as in years past, the popular food festival will celebrate anything and everything related to the ubiquitous coconut.

I know what you are thinking… here we go again, another food festival. You eat, drink, and be merry. Yes, you can do all of those things at the Coconut Festival, but unlike other gatherings where an edible item is honored, this event actually prides itself on teaching guests how the versatile fruit has grown to be part of the area’s history.

For example, did you know that the first Polynesian settlers brought the coconut to the islands more than 1,500 years ago in a canoe and used it not only for food, but also shelter, tools, textiles, medicine and religious purposes? It’s true. The early Hawaiians carved drums, canoes and food containers from its trunk. They turned the coconut tree’s leaves into brooms, baskets, fans and toys, and from the leaflets’ midribs they formed needles, shrimp snares, and musical instruments. The ingenious early Hawaiians also fashioned rattles and cups out of coconut shells. The coconut husk fibers were woven into strainers and the strongest cords used to build houses and lash together canoe parts. Early settlers even used the fruit to make fire by igniting its dry fibers with a smoldering tree stick then transferring the flame to wood.

Over the years the Coconut Festival has become one of Kauai’s largest annual events. For two days the island practically shuts down and residents and visitors alike descend on East Kauai to celebrate the beloved coconut. In fact, the festival has grown to such epic proportions that in 2003 the Food Network featured the coconut celebration on its “All-American Festivals” show.

This year, the free festival is featuring 15 food, craft and entertainment tents. Per tradition, there will be a coconut cooking contest and the ever-popular coconut cream pie-eating contest. In addition, there will be an area where guests can play coconut checkers (a grassy field is used as the giant board) or let their inner artist shine at the coconut painting booth. There is also a children’s area where kids can create coconut art. And, the festival will also include displays and demonstrations showing the wide array of products made from coconuts, including hats, jewelry, postcards and dolls.

For more information on the 11th annual Kauai Coconut Festival click here.

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This entry was posted in Hawaii and tagged , , , , by Michele Cheplic. Bookmark the permalink.

About Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism. She spent the next ten years as a television anchor and reporter at various stations throughout the country (from the CBS affiliate in Honolulu to the NBC affiliate in Green Bay). She has won numerous honors including an Emmy Award and multiple Edward R. Murrow awards honoring outstanding achievements in broadcast journalism. In addition, she has received awards from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association for her reports on air travel and the Wisconsin Education Association Council for her stories on education. Michele has since left television to concentrate on being a mom and freelance writer.