We’re guessing a few of you are waiting for us to finish the above title with the word cake, but no, this article is not about the admittedly delicious Pineapple Dump Cake. No, we are going to discuss the historic spot and Kauai Hawaii attractions known as Pineapple Dump. Local hikers and bikers may be familiar with the Pineapple Dump, as this Kauai Hawaii attractions is found along the East Shore Beach Shared Path, also known as the Kauai Path. Harkening back to a time where the main commodity of Hawaii was the humble pineapple, the story behind this broken-down pier is a fascinating one.
The History of Hawaii and the Pineapple
While the pineapple may not be native to our islands, it has been a symbol of our state almost from the beginning. The first record of the pineapple in Hawaii happened in 1813. American missionaries discovered them growing wild in 1820, and everything kind of exploded from there.
Over the years, many pineapple companies opened their doors, became successful, and then closed their doors again as agriculture made it easier to grow pineapples in other areas. The Hawaiian Cannery Company in Kauai was one of those companies, leading us to the construction of the Pineapple Dump Pier. Environmental restrictions were pretty lax in the days leading up to their closing in the 1960s, and something needed to be done about the parts that weren’t used, and so the Pineapple Dump Pier was constructed in the early 1900s. The unneeded parts were hauled to the pier and dumped into the sea on Sundays when the company was closed; unfortunately, when the winds turned, the rotting fruit carcasses would make its way back to Kapaa, causing a huge stink that was noticed by anyone in the area. Eventually, the process was stopped.
The Kauai Tourist Attractions Today
Today, the remains of the Pineapple Dump Pier still stand as a reminder of those early days, creating a spot that is rustically beautiful as it juts out over the swells of the ocean. At some point, an enterprising fisherman attached a fishing pole holder to the end of the pier and probably managed to bring in quite a few good hauls before the area was blocked off for safety reasons. The railings used were designed with a pineapple motif in homage of our early days of agricultural success. When you’re biking or hiking along the East Shore Beach Shared Path, be sure to take a moment and read the signs that tell the whole story of this Kauai sites and attractions and take a few pictures if the mood strikes you!
