FRANKIE’S NURSERY + SHARON’S PLANTS
Explore Hawaii’s Unique Fruits and Flora
Ah, Hawaii - the land of sun, surf, and delicious local fruit! Really, who could resist diving headfirst into the local pineapple scene? Certainly not me.
Did you know that a special variety of pineapple is grown at only one farm on O‘ahu? In 2013, after years of selective breeding, Frank Sekiya, the man behind Frankie's Nursery, patented the Meli Kalima pineapple, or honey creme pineapple.
Honey cream pineapples at Foodland
The Meli Kalima pineapple is a petite, ambrosial variety that's so sweet and flavorful, it won me over with just one bite!
Its incredible, luscious sweetness has made the honey creme pineapple a highly sought-after treasure.
Frank Sekiya and the honey cream pineapple
As a Honolulu townie who typically gets around by using a Biki bike and walking, I decided to rent a car for a couple of hours from Hui, a local car-share service, to get to Frankie’s farm in Waimanalo.
Since its Hawaii launch in 2018, Hui has been a game-changer with its book-and-go services and all-inclusive pricing covering gas, insurance, and extraneous fees often associated with car rentals. Through the Hui app, you can book, extend, and cancle reservations and lock and unlock the car makes it easy for you to hit the road.
Hui car rentals available all around Honolulu
The drive to Frankie's Nursery in Waimanalo is a beautiful journey that takes you along the coastal highway with the turquoise waters of the Pacific Ocean on one side and viridescent, towering mountains on the other. The road hugs the coastline, offering stunning views of sandy beaches, lush green valleys, and jagged cliffs. As you approach Waimanalo, the scenery becomes more rural, with agricultural fields and nurseries dotting the landscape.
Once you arrive at Frankie’s, you are welcome to explore the nursery grounds where tropical and subtropical fruit trees are for sale. Frankie’s also sells fruit harvested daily from their mature trees.
Meli Kalima pineapples at Frankie’s Nursery!
Mango varieties include the Angie, Rapoza, White Pirie, Haden, and more!
Update: Sadly, Frankie’s has announced that summer 2023 will be their last season selling the Meli Kalima pineapples. It is a labor of love to cultivate these pineapples, and at this time, Frankie’s doesn’t have enough workers for this production. The nursery will still continue offering other trees and fruits for sale.
After visiting Frankie’s and stocking up on delicious fruit, there's no need to head home just yet. The Waimanalo neighborhood has much to offer! For generations, this part of Hawaii has been a haven for agriculture. Despite the challenges, farmers have devoted themselves to cultivating spaces that foster plants and fruits embodying the essence of local culture, bridging the past and present, and nurturing the community's agricultural spirit through dedication and hard work.
One of my favorite places to visit is Sharon's Plants. This enchanting outdoor "store" is nothing short of a picturesque garden, set against the backdrop of lush mountains.
If you’re looking for picturesque spots to visit, be sure to visit the windward side of O‘ahu and soak in the gorgeous vistas of Waimanalo’s local farms.
Prepare to be blown away!