Breadfruit-A Tree of Importance to Hawaii

Summary

The video script explores the cultural and nutritional significance of breadfruit, known as 'Alou,' in Hawaiian and Pacific Islander societies. It discusses the historical importance of breadfruit for food security and its contemporary role as a staple diet, highlighting traditional and modern cooking methods. The script also emphasizes the potential of breadfruit in agroforestry, urban forestry, and as a solution to hidden hunger, with the Breadfruit Institute leading propagation and global hunger initiatives.

Takeaways

• 🌴 Breadfruit, known as 'Alou', has been a staple in Polynesian culture for centuries, with a legend associating it with the god Ku who transformed into a breadfruit tree to feed his family.
• 🏞️ The once vast breadfruit groves of Upolu produced thousands of tons of food annually, and remnants of this production system can be seen at the Amy Greenville Ethnobotanical Garden.
• 🍚 Breadfruit was a crucial food source for Hawaiians, especially in the absence of rice due to limited shipping, and is deeply ingrained in their culture and DNA.
• 🌐 Breadfruit has strong cultural ties and is still an important food source in many Pacific cultures, including the Society Islands, Samoa, and Micronesia.
• 🔥 Traditional cooking methods for breadfruit include roasting it in a fire, a practice still common in the Pacific Islands, symbolizing centuries of culinary heritage.
• 🌱 The breadfruit tree is not only a food source but also contributes to sustainability and self-sufficiency, a topic of growing interest in modern times.
• 👨‍🌾 Russell Coco Bowen, the director of the State Department of Agriculture, advocates for agriculture and sees breadfruit as a key to food security and economic opportunities in Hawaii.
• 🍞 Breadfruit is gluten-free and has potential for creating new products, such as breadfruit flour, opening avenues for market expansion.
• 🌳 Breadfruit trees are attractive and provide ecological benefits, including soil cover and protection of watersheds, making them ideal for urban landscapes and agroforestry.
• 📈 The Breadfruit Institute manages the world's largest collection and promotes breadfruit for food and reforestation, utilizing tissue culture for efficient propagation.
• 🌍 The institute is engaged in a global hunger initiative, distributing high-nutrient varieties of breadfruit to address hidden hunger and support food security projects worldwide.

Q & A

What is the significance of breadfruit, known as 'Alou', in Hawaiian culture?

Breadfruit, known as 'Alou', has been a staple in Hawaiian culture for centuries. It is tied to a legend involving the god Ku, who transformed into a breadfruit tree to feed his family. Breadfruit was a matter of survival and an important food source due to the limited availability of rice and lack of air shipping.

What is the historical context of breadfruit groves in Hawaii?

The historical context of breadfruit groves in Hawaii includes vast areas, 18 to 20 miles long and up to a mile wide, that produced thousands of tons of food annually. These groves were a significant part of the food production system in ancient Hawaii.

Why is breadfruit still important today in the Pacific Islands?

Breadfruit remains important today in the Pacific Islands because it is a staple of the daily modern diet and is valued as a source of food. It is also prominent in the landscape of places like the Society Islands, Samoa, and Micronesia.

What is the traditional method of cooking breadfruit in the Pacific Islands?

The traditional method of cooking breadfruit in the Pacific Islands involves roasting it in a fire. This method has been used for centuries and is still common today, as seen in the way Ruta cooks breadfruit on heated rocks and covers it with giant leaves.

How does breadfruit relate to the concept of sustainability and self-sufficiency?

Breadfruit is related to sustainability and self-sufficiency as it was part of the self-sufficient lifestyle of the past. It can provide food and economic opportunities, making it a keystone species for food security, especially in places like Hawaii.

What is the role of the State Department of Agriculture in promoting breadfruit?

The State Department of Agriculture, with Russell Coco Bowen as the director, plays a role in advocating for agriculture, particularly self-sufficiency crops like breadfruit. The department aims to promote its cultivation and use for food security and economic opportunities.

What are some of the potential new products that can be developed from breadfruit?

Breadfruit has potential for developing new markets and products, such as breadfruit flour, which is gluten-free. This flour can be used to create various food items, expanding the use of breadfruit beyond traditional cooking methods.

How did the accidental planting of a breadfruit tree lead to a larger cultivation?

The accidental planting of a breadfruit tree led to a larger cultivation when the initial harvest was well-received by a store, leading to a demand for more breadfruit. This prompted the planting of more trees and the development of various breadfruit varieties.

What are some of the culinary uses of breadfruit mentioned in the script?

The script mentions several culinary uses of breadfruit, including making pancakes, chips, fritters, salads, curries, and desserts like breadfruit carrot cake. It can be used in both savory and sweet dishes, showcasing its versatility.

What are the benefits of breadfruit trees in urban forestry and landscaping?

Breadfruit trees offer multiple benefits in urban forestry and landscaping. They provide a permanent canopy and soil cover, protect watersheds, and enhance the visual environment. They also contribute to mental health by providing a calming effect and improving the aesthetics of urban areas.

What is the mission of the Breadfruit Institute and how does it contribute to global hunger initiatives?

The mission of the Breadfruit Institute is to promote the conservation and use of breadfruit for food and reforestation. It manages the world's largest collection of breadfruit varieties and is engaged in a global hunger initiative to distribute exceptional varieties for food security, agriculture, and income generation projects.