Maui Gold.

 That’s the name of the locally grown pineapple most often seen in Maui supermarkets, farmer’s markets and served in local restaurants. Mainlanders are always amazed and delighted at how different and how much better local pineapple is than what is sold as fresh and ripe in their home-town markets. It’s a wonderful thing we have available to us 12 months of the year.

The origin of pineapple growing in the islands is a bit fuzzy, with several different opinions about where and how it appeared for the first time. However, most accounts credit Dr. Dwight Baldwin with planting the first pineapple on Maui in 1903, with commercial production beginning in 1912 when David Thomas Fleming planted 20 acres at Honolua Ranch (site of Kapalua Resort today).

Three varieties of pineapple are commercially grown on the island today: traditional Champaka (used mainly in canning), extra-sweet Maui Gold and Maui Organic Pineapple. It takes 18 months to grow a mature pineapple - so it’s no wonder there are hefty fines for anyone caught taking fruit from the production fields and one more reason to appreciate this delicious local produce.

Keep it sweet. Keep it local. Keep it Maui.

-  Haole Anna, Paia