The earliest Hawaiians are believed to be Polynesian settlers from the Marquesas Islands, a ring of ten steep volcanic islands about 2,500 miles southeast of the Hawaiian Islands.  These skilled navigators sailed to the Hawaiian Islands between 300-500A.D.  With them, they brought approximately 30 introduced plant species (mostly for food) to the Hawaiian Island chain.  These edible plants were combined with fish, seafood (seaweed, octopus, limpet, crab and sea turtle) and indigenous birds to offer one of the most healthy diets in history.

At the core of the ancient Hawaiian diet was the taro (kalo in the Hawaiian language) plant.  Taro was used most commonly used to create the Hawaiian's staple food, poi.  Poi is made by roasting/steaming the taro corm (or root) and then mashing it into a paste.  The final product is generally purplish in color and traditionally eaten by hand.

Other than the taro plant, the ancient Hawaiians introduced a variety of other edible plants.  These included:

• ‘Uala (Sweet potatoes)
• Banana

• ‘Ulu (breadfruit)
• Coconut (niu)
• Sugar Cane (ko)
• Polynesian arrowroot (pia)
• Turmeric
• Kukui Tree (kukui nuts were crushed to make inamona)
• Ti

Non-native animals where also brought to the Hawaiian island chain for food and pets.  These included:

• Pua‘a (pigs)
• Moa (chickens)
• Poi dogs

Hawaiians utilized the ocean for net and deep sea fishing.  Hawaiians were also very proficient in aquaculture.  In the coastal shallows they built large loko i‘a (fishponds), which they kept well stocked with ‘ama ‘ama (mullet), and awa ( milkfish).

The Volcom Pipe Pro is professional surfing contest that takes place at the world famous North Shore of Oahu every year.  The location is at the Banzai Pipeline; one of the most high performance (and sometimes deadly) surf breaks on the planet today.  This particular surfing event is important for the island of Oahu because the majority of the contest's competitors are local surfers from the Hawaiian islands.  

The 2015 Volcom Pipe Pro boasted 4 days of absolutely amazing surf.  Maxing out on Day 3 of the event, wave heights at Pipeline reached upwards of 20 feet (8-10ft Hawaiian scale) high.  Out of the 112 "warriors" who competed in the contest this year, a talented local standout took top honors........again.

For the fourth time in five years, John John Florence won the Volcom Pipe Pro.  Being born and raised on the North Shore of Oahu has enabled John John to excel in some of the heaviest waves on the planet.  The 22 year old professional surfer has been making a name for himself in the WCT (World Championship Tour) for the past several years.  John John currently lives on the North Shore.  At the 2015 Volcom Pipe Pro, he showed his local knowledge and deep personal connection with this powerful beach break.

Click the link below to see highlights from the final day of the event.