Malasadas vs. Beignets

Today's post is dedicated to all things doughy, sweet and fried! Here in Honolulu, Leonard's Bakery is known for its malasadas which are round tennis ball sized pieces of yeast dough that are deep fried and covered in granulated sugar. These confections were brought over to Hawai‘i by the resident Catholic Portuguese (mostly from Madeira and the Azores) for the celebration of Fat Tuesday.  The tradition would be to use up all the stored sugar and butter before the start of Lent by having a celebration and frying up malasadas.

Since its founding in 1952, Leonard's popularity, or rather the popularity of the malasada in general has steady increased, bringing locals and tourists alike to this small, retro-looking little bakery on Kapahulu Avenue. At almost any given time of day or night one can see a line of hungry customers waiting for their chance to indulge in the warm pillowy pastries.

Leonard's Famous Malasadas

Having grown up in New Orleans and having eaten beignets throughout my childhood, I have developed a huge crush on these sweet treats. (Though I try to only have them on ocassion.) Similiar to the malasada, a beignet is the French version of a yeast dough, deep fried fluffy confection. These however, are square-shaped and covered in powdered sugar. Traditionally neither the malasada nor the beignet were filled, but Leonard's has taken to filling theirs with flavored custards (lilikoi, guava, pineapple, and chocolate).

Cafe Du Monde's Famous Beignets

Since I'm on the subject of the delectable yeast dough pastries, I feel that I must include the New Orleanian version of a Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras treat. Growing up every child in New Orleans get exposed to King cakes, either at home or in elementary school. On Friday afternoons a few weeks before Mardi Gras, our class had a King cake party, and we would impatiently wait for our teacher to slice up the huge King cake that a loving parent brought to the class. In addition to the longing to taste this cinnamon-sugary cake (more like a Danish pastry dough), we all hoped that our particular section of the King cake contained the hidden treasure of a naked little plastic baby. This plastic baby is supposed to represent baby Jesus and it's thought to be good luck if you get the piece with this little guy inside. As a kid I was lucky to have a few little plastic babies, but be careful and make sure to inspect your piece carefully if you ever get to try this.

King Cake Baby

Photo Credit:

• Leonard's Malasadas: http://portuguesediner.com/tiamaria/malasadas-portuguese-donuts/
• Cafe Du Monde Beignets: http://www.southernliving.com/healthy-living/healthy-outings/new-orleans-vacations/new-orleans-vacations-beignets-cafe-du-monde
• King Cake Baby: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_cake

Kūkaniloko Birth Site

Nestled away in a field right off of bustling Route 80, the Kūkaniloko Birth Site is an odd mix of ancient Hawaiian mana (power or energy) and tranquility. Cradled by the majestic Waimea mountain range in the far distance and surrounded by pineapple plantations, this sacred site was once the place where all the royalty and Ali'i came to give birth. The ceremonies surrounding the births conducted here are still unclear to me, but at present day it's a place of stillness and quiet reflection. Pilgrims come to the site to ask for blessings not only for child birth, but also for new beginnings and endeavors. Some, like myself, bring offerings of fresh flowers leis which are carefully placed on the scattered stones that comprise the main ritual area.

Entrance to the site.

Waimea Mountains in Background

The stones themselves are large lava boulders, ranging in size, shape and height. There is a main birthing stone, but I couldn't detected it just by looking at them. There are other stones surrounding the field. Each one reminding me of a guardian or sentinel, protecting the sacredness within its boundaries. Many have markings on them and are believed to have been used to calculate celestial bodies. Could the ancient Hawaiians have used them as a sort of calendar like the Mayans?

Center of birthing stones

Offerings left by visitors

As I take leave of this sacred place, I walk the short red dirt road path back to the car feeling that somehow the spirits there did indeed hear my prayers and whispered their blessings to me in the gentle breeze. Turning back to the site, now in the distance, I give thanks to the Universe.

I hope you all get an opportunity to visit the site if you're ever on the island.

What's in a Name?

Google's definition of hapa

I decided to call my blog "Hapa in Hawai‘i" not only because it's catchy, but also because it's quite fitting since I'm a hapa (slang for meaning of mixed race) and I'm living in Hawai‘i. On this blog I'll post details about my Hawaiian adventures, fun foodie and language discoveries, unusual customs, and sacred sites that I visit during my time here.

My perspective for this blog is as a newcomer to the islands, learning all the rules and customs of being in a place where raw natural beauty, urban life, and the remoteness of living in the middle of the Pacific Ocean all meld together to encompass my daily Hawaiian experience.

I invite you all with me as I embrace the local culture, delve into hidden and mysterious places, and enjoy the richness the islands of Hawai‘i have to offer. E como mai!! (Welcome!)

View of Hanauma Bay - Honolulu, Hawai‘i