Consolidated "Bringing/shipping pineapples from Hawaii to the U.S. mainland" thread
Dec 19, 2010, 12:37 am
#32
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Dec 19, 2010, 10:52 am
#33
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There is a HUGE difference in taste and quality between a smaller-farmed local Hawaiian pineapple like Maui Gold and the Central American factory-farmed and gas-ripened piece of crap you buy at your local supermarket in Ohio.
If you really love pineapple, it's worth it to ship some home, but definitely do not buy the airport or Dole Plantation pineapples which are priced for tourists.
I buy 2-3 Maui Gold pineapples from Costco and bring them home. If I get there early enough, they have boxes with lids on them. I put my pineapples in the box, and borrow some packing tape from the service counter to seal the box and make a tape handle so I can carry it around. West coast Costcos and Asian markets will sometimes carry the Maui Golds, so I don't need to go all the way over there to buy them.
I haven't tried the Del Monte versions from Hawaiian supermarkets, so I can't comment on how they compare with the Maui Golds - but don't just go home to Ohio, buy a Central American Dole pineapple from there and think it would be anything like a Hawaiian grown pineapple.
If you really love pineapple, it's worth it to ship some home, but definitely do not buy the airport or Dole Plantation pineapples which are priced for tourists.
I buy 2-3 Maui Gold pineapples from Costco and bring them home. If I get there early enough, they have boxes with lids on them. I put my pineapples in the box, and borrow some packing tape from the service counter to seal the box and make a tape handle so I can carry it around. West coast Costcos and Asian markets will sometimes carry the Maui Golds, so I don't need to go all the way over there to buy them.
I haven't tried the Del Monte versions from Hawaiian supermarkets, so I can't comment on how they compare with the Maui Golds - but don't just go home to Ohio, buy a Central American Dole pineapple from there and think it would be anything like a Hawaiian grown pineapple.
Dec 20, 2010, 12:40 am
#34
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There is a HUGE difference in taste and quality between a smaller-farmed local Hawaiian pineapple like Maui Gold and the Central American factory-farmed and gas-ripened piece of crap you buy at your local supermarket in Ohio.
If you really love pineapple, it's worth it to ship some home, but definitely do not buy the airport or Dole Plantation pineapples which are priced for tourists.
I buy 2-3 Maui Gold pineapples from Costco and bring them home. If I get there early enough, they have boxes with lids on them. I put my pineapples in the box, and borrow some packing tape from the service counter to seal the box and make a tape handle so I can carry it around. West coast Costcos and Asian markets will sometimes carry the Maui Golds, so I don't need to go all the way over there to buy them.
I haven't tried the Del Monte versions from Hawaiian supermarkets, so I can't comment on how they compare with the Maui Golds - but don't just go home to Ohio, buy a Central American Dole pineapple from there and think it would be anything like a Hawaiian grown pineapple.
If you really love pineapple, it's worth it to ship some home, but definitely do not buy the airport or Dole Plantation pineapples which are priced for tourists.
I buy 2-3 Maui Gold pineapples from Costco and bring them home. If I get there early enough, they have boxes with lids on them. I put my pineapples in the box, and borrow some packing tape from the service counter to seal the box and make a tape handle so I can carry it around. West coast Costcos and Asian markets will sometimes carry the Maui Golds, so I don't need to go all the way over there to buy them.
I haven't tried the Del Monte versions from Hawaiian supermarkets, so I can't comment on how they compare with the Maui Golds - but don't just go home to Ohio, buy a Central American Dole pineapple from there and think it would be anything like a Hawaiian grown pineapple.
was at the HNL costco near the airport, and it was near close... they were out of pineapples and I had a flight to catch the next morning
Dec 20, 2010, 7:22 pm
#35
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Thanks for all the help. I trudged through the pouring rain yesterday and bought 6 pineapples @ Costco. They are Dole not Maui Gold but only cost $2 each.
I'm currently at HNL and got through agriculture inspection and security with no problem. I packed 4 in my checked bag and am carrying the other 2 on. My carry-on was too small for all 6 plus I wouldn't have been able to lift it into the overhead.
They definitely have a racket going on here with the pineapples. I am watching someone buy boxes of 2 pineapples for $24. I paid $12.50 for 6.
I'm currently at HNL and got through agriculture inspection and security with no problem. I packed 4 in my checked bag and am carrying the other 2 on. My carry-on was too small for all 6 plus I wouldn't have been able to lift it into the overhead.
They definitely have a racket going on here with the pineapples. I am watching someone buy boxes of 2 pineapples for $24. I paid $12.50 for 6.
Dec 20, 2010, 9:29 pm
#36
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Slightly OT--they've also started serving gelato at the costco in the outdoor food area. 3 scoops of gelato and a waffle cone for $1.50 can't be beat.^
Dec 21, 2010, 2:01 am
#37
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Speaking of that, that particular Costco is a madhouse because there are just so much people in there all the time. I think it does the most business of any Costco in the US.
Slightly OT--they've also started serving gelato at the costco in the outdoor food area. 3 scoops of gelato and a waffle cone for $1.50 can't be beat.^
Slightly OT--they've also started serving gelato at the costco in the outdoor food area. 3 scoops of gelato and a waffle cone for $1.50 can't be beat.^
might get that in one of the ANC Costco's next year... hoping, but my waistline isn't lol
Dec 21, 2010, 2:02 am
#38
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Thanks for all the help. I trudged through the pouring rain yesterday and bought 6 pineapples @ Costco. They are Dole not Maui Gold but only cost $2 each.
I'm currently at HNL and got through agriculture inspection and security with no problem. I packed 4 in my checked bag and am carrying the other 2 on. My carry-on was too small for all 6 plus I wouldn't have been able to lift it into the overhead.
They definitely have a racket going on here with the pineapples. I am watching someone buy boxes of 2 pineapples for $24. I paid $12.50 for 6.
I'm currently at HNL and got through agriculture inspection and security with no problem. I packed 4 in my checked bag and am carrying the other 2 on. My carry-on was too small for all 6 plus I wouldn't have been able to lift it into the overhead.
They definitely have a racket going on here with the pineapples. I am watching someone buy boxes of 2 pineapples for $24. I paid $12.50 for 6.
But are prices really inflated to 12.50 a pineapple now
Dec 21, 2010, 8:36 am
#39
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If I was departing from O'ahu, I would have tried to buy a carrying box from the plantation, then stuffed it with cheaper pineapples from Costco or Foodland.
Dec 21, 2010, 8:44 am
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One additional point (although not helpful for Ohio) - if you love Hawaiian papaya, you can purchase boxes from most Ranch 99 and H Mart supermarkets in California and Washington. You can't take them with you from the Islands, but the prices at these markets aren't bad and it leaves room in your luggage for the pineapples, which are not always available at these markets since Maui Gold cut back on production and shipping.
Dec 21, 2010, 12:19 pm
#41
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One additional point (although not helpful for Ohio) - if you love Hawaiian papaya, you can purchase boxes from most Ranch 99 and H Mart supermarkets in California and Washington. You can't take them with you from the Islands, but the prices at these markets aren't bad and it leaves room in your luggage for the pineapples, which are not always available at these markets since Maui Gold cut back on production and shipping.
Kinda silly IMO if one is traveling to frozen AK...
Dec 21, 2010, 12:49 pm
#42
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Those AG folks have eagle eyes! They spotted a single guava that was left in one of our bags a few years ago. I wouldn't even try smuggling a larger fruit. I did pack some raw macadamias in the shell that I picked from the ground in Waipio Valley which they never saw, but they're for display on my desk, not for eating.
I'd be afraid of papaya, passionfruit or mango getting crushed in my bag - so if I can buy real Hawaiian fruit from a west coast supermarket for almost the same price as back in Hawai'i, I'd leave the shipping to someone else.
Dec 21, 2010, 5:57 pm
#43
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One additional point (although not helpful for Ohio) - if you love Hawaiian papaya, you can purchase boxes from most Ranch 99 and H Mart supermarkets in California and Washington. You can't take them with you from the Islands, but the prices at these markets aren't bad and it leaves room in your luggage for the pineapples, which are not always available at these markets since Maui Gold cut back on production and shipping.
Dec 21, 2010, 6:46 pm
#44
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Dec 24, 2010, 10:29 pm
#45
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Which part is 'not suppose to'? - taking papayas from Hawai'i on your own?
Those AG folks have eagle eyes! They spotted a single guava that was left in one of our bags a few years ago. I wouldn't even try smuggling a larger fruit. I did pack some raw macadamias in the shell that I picked from the ground in Waipio Valley which they never saw, but they're for display on my desk, not for eating.
I'd be afraid of papaya, passionfruit or mango getting crushed in my bag - so if I can buy real Hawaiian fruit from a west coast supermarket for almost the same price as back in Hawai'i, I'd leave the shipping to someone else.
Those AG folks have eagle eyes! They spotted a single guava that was left in one of our bags a few years ago. I wouldn't even try smuggling a larger fruit. I did pack some raw macadamias in the shell that I picked from the ground in Waipio Valley which they never saw, but they're for display on my desk, not for eating.
I'd be afraid of papaya, passionfruit or mango getting crushed in my bag - so if I can buy real Hawaiian fruit from a west coast supermarket for almost the same price as back in Hawai'i, I'd leave the shipping to someone else.
but my friend gave away the papaya before I had a chance... and if stopped, would have eaten it on the spot... but was late for the flight