Nothing seems more Hawaiian than a pineapple, but like so many people and things here, it's a immigrant transplant. First, Columbus found them on the Caribbean island of Guadaloupe in 1493, but when it landed in golden Hawaii is anyone's guess.
Some say a Spanish shipwreck on the South Kona coast brought them to Hawaii around 1527. (You know those old Spanish sailors were going global back then.) There's another idea that another Spaniard brought the first pineapples over at about 1813, while there's another story that says they came from Guyana in 1886.
Full-scale pineapple plantations didn't get started until the 1880s and continued as Hawaii's premier argicultural export until the 1980s. Now it's #2 and many pineapples sold Mainland are actually grown in central and south America.
This change in Hawaii's pineapple business has led to several companies to market fresh and tastier varieties that can't be confused with the common run-of-the-mill pines. When you're driving around, stop in at a stand and see if they have some on hand.
Pineapples are low in fat and calories, cholesterol free, and a good source of fiber, not to mention very low in sodium. They're even more nutritious than apples, peaches, bananas, or pears.
• Alicia's Cournty Kitchen- Pineapple Recipes
• Census shows 28 percent of farm jobs lost in 1990s - The Honolulu Advertiser - Hawaii's Newspaper
• Dole Plantation - Pineapple Express
• Hawaii Agricultural Statistics ServiceHawaii Pineapple
