See the Story

The pineapple is one of the first things to appear in the minds of many when they think of Hawaii. The pineapple quilt design offers an opportunity to see beyond the pineapple into the heart of Hawaii showcasing a piece of the first 20 designs of the Kamaʻāina Collection.

Hawai’i Island, known as Orchid Isle, is the native home to just three of the 15,000 to 20,000 orchid species. In the early 1900s, local business people began growing imported orchids. A symbol of beauty, elegance, and strength, Hawaii's ideal conditions and expert growers helped establish a reputation for excellence in the production of orchids. In the wild, orchids have evolved in unique shapes, colors, and even scents to attract pollinators like insects, birds, and bats.

In 1793, cattle arrived in Hawaiʻi as a gift to King Kamehameha I. After 20 years of protection to grow the herd, he allowed wild cattle to be captured. Under Kamehameha II, the beef industry grew, and his brother invited Mexican vaqueros to teach cattle ranching. Hawaiians mastered the skills, creating a unique cowboy culture and became known as paniolo, a Hawaiian version of “español.” Parker Ranch, one of the largest U.S. cattle ranches, spans 130,000 acres of the Big Island. Today, paniolo can be seen at rodeos statewide.

In 1929, May Day officially became known as Lei Day. A symbol of aloha, lei with kenikeni (dime flower), loke (rose), and pīkake (jasmine) offer sweet fragrances. The kalaunu (crown flower), favored by Queen Lili’uokalani, symbolizes royalty. Palapalai ferns are made lei hili (braided) and can be worn as lei po’o on the head. Lei pua (flower lei), made in the kui style (flowers strung together), are given on any occasion including birthdays, weddings, and to welcome visitors. Graduates often wear so many that they can’t see!

Hoe Wa`a racing brings excitement to the waters and, historically, was a common part of the makahiki season. More than 60 canoe clubs in Hawaii gather to race both short and long distances, the longest being The Moloka’i Hoe – an annual outrigger canoe race between the islands of Moloka`i and O`ahu equaling 41m (66km).

Ulana Lau Niu is the art of weaving coconut fronds. Traditionally, Pāpale niu were used by fisherman and farmers to create portable shade in the hot tropical sun. They are use for the same purpose today as well for fashion and decor. As the pāpale niu dries, the green color fades into a light brown; however, it continues to maintain its shape and hold both beauty and function.

Hāhālua are some of the largest creatures in the ocean, with an average wingspan of 15ft (4.6m), and are a sight to behold as they peacefully glide through the waters. They have harmless, long, whip-like tails and give birth to only one pup every two to three years.

The most common native Hawaiian tree, ‘Ōhi‘a is one of the first plants to grow after a lava flow and signifies rebirth and the strength of love. The lehua blossom in a variety of colors from red to yellow and even white. However, these endemic trees are currently threatened by Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death (ROD): a harmful disease caused by fungal species. To help stop the spread of ROD, avoid injuring ʻōhiʻa and clean your hiking boots/gear/tools before and after use.

He`e Nalu literally translated means “wave sliding” and has been a part of Polynesian culture for over a century. The huge swells in the winter season bring surfers from around the world to O`ahu’s famous North Shore. When the conditions are just right, the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational showcases elite surfers, with, for the first time in 2023, the women competing alongside the men.

Wa`a Kaulua was used for transporting large amounts of cargo, voyaging between islands, going on far off-shore fishing trips, and served as troop transports during war times. In the 1970s, the Hōkūle`a, a replica to the sailing canoes of the first Polynesians, was built. Through its global voyages, it has brought revelations of how native ancestors navigated across the open ocean, found islands, and settled Polynesia.

According to tradition, Pele, the Hawaiian volcano goddess, is embodied by the lava and natural forces associated with volcanic eruptions creating new land, but also destroying what was once there. Of the 5 volcanoes on Hawai’i Island, Kīlauea's Pu‘u‘ō‘ō eruption from 1983-2018 created 439 acres of new land to the southeastern shore. In early May of 2018 more than 20 fissures began opening up along one of the East Rift Zone. Fissure 8 was named Ahuʻailāʻau and created a 9 mile long channelised lava river flowing to the ocean.

As an integral part to the Native Hawaiian story of origin, kalo has been incorporated into sacred ceremonies and rituals for hundreds of years. With its heart shaped leaf, kalo is a dietary staple. All parts of kalo are edible once cooked. The underground portion, the corm, is used to make poi, and in 2025, Kalo was adopted as Hawai'i's official state plant.

Polynesian navigators used wayfinding techniques such as observations of birds, ocean swells, and wind patterns to voyage across ocean waters. To navigate at night, their rich knowledge of the huihui, which changes depending on the season, helped guide their way.

Winters on the Big Island of Hawai`i bring high surf and beautiful hau kea to the tops of the beloved Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, both with elevations above 13,000ft (3963m). Pick-up trucks full of snow can sometimes be spotted coming down Mauna Kea to bring the keiki (kids) the chance to build a snowman. Maui, too, occasionally sees hau kea as Haleakalā’s summit stands at 10,023ft (3,055m).

Uluhe is indigenous to Hawai'i, found on all the main Hawaiian islands, and can grow to 20ft or more. The blue to purple fiddleheads grow from underground rhizomes that uncurl to fronds that repeatedly divide into distinctive pairs. Considered a pioneer plant, uluhe helps prevent erosion and covers bare sites assisting in the prevention of invasive species.

An indigenous shrub with two varieties, Naupaka grows both in the mountains (Naupaka Kauihiwa) and near the sea (Naupaka Kahakai). One naupaka flower legend speaks of a forbidden marriage between a Hawaiian Princess and a fisherman. The naupaka flower only blooms by half, signifying the lovers’ separation, one living in the mountains and one by the sea. Today, the leaves are used for de-fogging goggles before snorkeling or diving.

‘Ukuleles come in four sizes: soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone. Translated, “‘Ukulele” in Hawaiian means “jumping flea” and refers to the way Joao Fernandes’ fingers moved on the fretboard as he played and sang upon arrival in Honolulu in 1879. The Hawaiian king David Kalakaua loved the ‘ukulele. He, along with Henri Berger, wrote “Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī” making the ‘ukulele an inseparable part of the Hawaiian music tradition. “Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī” became the final national anthem of Hawai’i, and is the state song today.

Many people think of Hawaii when they think of pineapples; however, the fruit isn’t originally from the islands. In 1891, John Kidwell started the first pineapple plantation on O‘ahu. Literally translated “Hala Kahiki” means “foreign hala” because the hala fruit resembles a pineapple. Today visitors may think the hala tree looks like a pineapple tree; however, being in the bromeliad family, pineapples grow low to the ground and often have sharp, spiny serrated leaves.

Named the state insect in 2009, the Kamehameha butterfly is endemic to Hawaii and not found outside of the state. Male and female Kamehameha butterflies have slightly different wing patterns. In females, the pale patches toward the tip of the forewing are pure white opposed to light orange patches in males. Pulelehua today is a catch-all native term for all butterflies. Like all native wildlife, Pulelehua are protected making it illegal to collect specimens without a permit, even on private land.

Kī leaves have a medium-green or red color and are unscented. Symbolizing positive blessings, protection and the Creator, the ti leaf has long been important to Hawaiian culture, and royalty once wore kī leis to display their status. The leaves were also used as medicine, both as a fever reducer and a way to keep medicines in place. Today, the Hawaiian ti leaf lei is often made by using the Hilo weave of twisting.

Hula animates history, genealogy, prophecy, and tales through chant (oli) or song (mele). Hula Kahiko is an ancient hula accompanied by chant and traditional Hawaiian instruments like the gourd (ipu hula), the slit tube rattles (pu'ili), and the calabash rattles ('uli'uli). The Hula 'Auana is a less formal hula accompanied by song and the western influenced musical instruments like the ‘ukulele and the guitar.

Koholā a me Nai`a are a magical sight as they jump and splash in the waters around the islands. Four types of nai`a are found in Hawaiian waters: pacific bottlenose dolphin, rough-toothed dolphin, spotted dolphin, and spinner dolphin. Koholā a me Nai`a are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which requires us humans to keep our distance.

Honu are depicted in ancient Hawaiian petroglyphs and are a symbol of longevity, safety, and mana (spiritual energy) in Hawaiian culture. They are cherished and fully protected under the federal Endangered Species Act and under Hawaii state law, so please keep your distance when you see them sunbathing on land or swimming gracefully in the water.

Thousands of Koholā make the voyage from Alaska to Hawaiʻi—about 3,000 miles—every year. During the winter months, they can be spotted as early as November off the shores of Maui and stay in the area until April. Koholā are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.