Hawaii is known around the world for its delicious golden fruit, the pineapple. The pineapple industry in Hawaii has a rich history and we're celebrating it in Wahiawa this Saturday. Ramsay Wharton is live from the Dole Plantation this morning with more on the Wahiawa Pineapple Festival.

The Annual Wahiawa Pineapple Festival will bring together the local community and visitors to spotlight the rich history of pineapple in Hawaii, particularly in sleepy Wahiawa. Event highlights include:

• Pineapple-themed dishes from restaurants including Alan Wong's, Roy's, Ola at Turtle Bay and The Poke Stop
• Celebrity chefs Alan Wong, Elmer Guzman and Fred DeAngelo in person!
• Free narrated trolley tours of the Wahiawa area
• Pineapple parade along California Avenue
• Wahiawa's own celebrity emcees including Sistah Sherry of KRTR and Ron Nagasawa of MidWeek
• Prize giveaways
• Keiki "pineapple ohana" art contest award ceremony and display
• "Walk Down Wahiawa Memory Lane" historic displays of photographs and artifacts
• Keiki games and activities, including bouncers and old plantation games
• Reunion area for former pineapple field and cannery workers
• Live musical entertainment from local school and community groups
• Arts, crafts and food booths and keiki IDs provided by HPD's Wahiawa substation

Organizers hope the Pineapple Festival will provide an economic and psychological boost to the "country" community of Wahiawa, as well a new-found appreciation for the pineapple. 

Free parking and shuttle service is available from Leilehua High School. 

Directions to parking lot, shuttle: Take H-2 freeway North. Take the Wahiawa Exit. Turn right on California Avenue and parking lot is on the right, school on the left. 

http://www.dole-plantation.com - Dole Plantation

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