by Taina Queiroz Fonseca, Junior Staff Writer
While Sep. 23 marked the start of the Fall Equinox, living in Hawai‘i might mean missing the season entirely if you don’t look close enough. As mainland residents are reaching for sweaters and sipping on pumpkin spice lattes, Hawai‘i is celebrating fall in its own distinctive way.
When you think of fall, you think of the leaves changing colors and the temperature dropping. One of the first things that sets Hawai‘i apart during this season is the temperature. While the mainland is cooling down, Hawai‘i remains comfortably warm, with temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to low 80s in Fahrenheit.
Botany professor Kasey Barton explains the reason why Hawaiʻi doesn’t have fall or autumn like the mainland.
“In tropical regions, like Hawai‘i,” Barton said, “we have minimal shifts in day-length throughout the year because the equatorial regions are always more or less facing the sun to the same extent.”
In Hawai‘i, seasons are determined by the amount of rainfall we get and our tradewind patterns.
“This is why we refer to seasons here as the rainy or dry season, and not autumn, winter, spring and summer, except with respect to school calendars,” Barton said. “… So they are based on the calendar and not on seasonality in climate.”
What Hawai‘i lacks in commonly known fall aesthetics and temperatures, it makes up for in a blend of cultural activities through the Festivals of Aloha.
The Festivals of Aloha take place mainly in September and October, with some events in November, striving to honor Native Hawaiian culture and traditions from generation to generation. Nov. 11 was the Richard Ho‘opi‘i Leo Ki‘eki‘e Falsetto Contest, a Hawaiian musical tradition on the island of Maui where male contestants showcase their vocal prowess by reaching for the highest notes.
Another popular fall activity is located at Waimānalo Country Farm on Oʻahu, which is well-known for its sunflowers, corn and pumpkin patches. Before it was known for those, however, the farm was referred to as Golden Melon Farms until 2001. That’s because they were the first to grow the “golden melon,” a watermelon that is golden yellow on the outside and dark red on the inside.
“Even though it’s different here than in the mainland, I still look forward to fun fall events. I just recently went to the pumpkin patch at Waimānalo Country Farms,” UHM freshman Josslyn Rose said.
“I loved it! I went with my friends. We took pictures at the pumpkin patch and sunflower field and rode the hayride.”
Hawai‘i doesn’t get the lavish fall colors in their trees, but the same colors can be found in the sunsets, flowers and fruits. Lychee, liliko‘i, breadfruit, dragon fruit, jackfruit, starfruit and guava are all in season during fall.
In the midst of Hawai‘i’s absence of traditional autumnal transformations, the Aloha State not only defies the conventional fall narrative but embraces a unique and vibrant celebration of its own. As temperatures remain comfortably warm, contrasting with the mainland’s cooling embrace of sweaters and pumpkin spice lattes, Hawai‘i’s seasonal distinctions become evident.
Original Article here.