The first Hawaiians used many things that grew around them to help them in their day to day living. Today I thought I’d talk a little about the Mighty Coconut.
Now, if you’re like me you just love coconut. Many favorite recipes from Hawaii use coconut. (check out my Bibingka recipe, a Filipino desert recipe.)
How did the early Hawaiians
make use of coconuts?
They ate the meat and drank the milk. The shell was used at containers. They also made use of the leaves in building shelters. The husk was used as a great "fire starter" and for braiding sennit.
I had to look up “braiding sennit” to see what exactly it meant. Here’s what Wikipedia says about sennit braiding in Hawaii.Hawai'i[edit]
The term is also used in Hawaii and throughout Polynesia for cordage made by braiding the fibers of coconut husks. It was important in attaching the ʻama (outrigger float) via the iako (spars) to the hull of canoes, stones to war-club handles, erecting hale (houses), etc.
If you’re ever in a situation where you need to survive, I hope you have some coconuts around.
I have my coconut monkey bank--just in case!
Next week I'll tell you about The Heroic Coconut!
I have my coconut monkey bank--just in case!
Next week I'll tell you about The Heroic Coconut!
Aloha, and Mahalo for visiting!
--Cheryl
Book One—Pineapples in Peril
Available NOW!
Book Two—Menehunes Missing
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Book Three—Ukuleles Undercover
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cheryllinnmartin@yahoo.com
