Easter Vacation

When I was growing up in the farmland of the Midwest, the Easter dinner menu was baked in. We had a big feast at the home of my grandparents together with aunts, uncles, and a dozen kids. Ham, turkey, and all the traditional side dishes were heaped on the table, from pickled herring and shrimp appetizers to mashed potatoes, Jell-O salads, and that fabled green-bean casserole topped with fried onion rings right out of the can. In my Protestant family, we gathered after church in our new Easter clothes. Easter is, after all, a religious tradition and continues to be in many cultures. But for many others, Easter is a celebration of spring and the rebirth of life after the long winter. Indeed, the name “Easter” comes from the goddess of dawn, Eostre, who was worshipped in the spring by the tribes in northern Europe and the British Isles.

This year, we’re on holiday away from home. This got me thinking about checking out the local traditions to find out how Easter is celebrated, which makes sense for any holiday when traveling.

Eggs take center stage

In most Christian countries, you can expect eggs, which of course symbolize new life and rebirth. Plus, in medieval times, eating eggs during Lent was forbidden, thus a real treat on Easter. Today, eggs are employed in all sorts of ways – not just egg decorating and Easter egg hunts, but egg rolling and egg tapping games (“egg knocking” in Louisiana). In Latin American countries, eggshells are filled with confetti or small toys for children, and are typically broken over the head of a friend to bring good luck, kind of like mini pinatas. What if the tradition involves egg hopping? You could end up dancing among eggs on one foot – maybe blindfolded – while keeping the eggs undamaged. This activity, which originated in pagan times and evolved into a musical act in performance venues, seems to have lost its popularity in Europe and the U.S. in the 18^th century.

In Bermuda, people fly kites to commemorate the ascension. Jamaicans sometimes throw garlic on the floor for good luck. Bonfires are the rage in some areas of northern Europe. In parts of Hungary, Slovakia, and Transylvania, men visit families with women to sprinkle perfumed water on the ladies, and the gents get an Easter egg in exchange. In Germany, expect to see trees decorated with Easter eggs. The Nordic countries, Sweden and Finland, have Easter witches who collect candy door-to-door. But in Norway, a contemporary tradition is to read and watch murder mysteries. Even some milk cartons are altered for a couple of weeks to feature a short mystery story on the side.

When in Hawaii

As for us, we are very lucky to be in Hawaii, and it turns out that the traditions are much the same as elsewhere in the U.S. In preparation for the holiday, the supermarkets are well stocked with chocolate eggs, peeps, and hot cross buns. But Hawaii is a very spiritual place with beautiful weather, and Hawaiians are known for their adherence to cultural traditions and practices. For many, Easter is an important holiday that features church, Sunday brunch, and an extravaganza of Easter egg events. Celebrations begin at dawn when many flock to the beach to watch the sunrise, which signifies resurrection. Many churches hold sunrise services, the largest at the Punch Bowl Cemetery in Oahu. Easter Sunday brunches feature traditional Hawaiian dishes: pineapple-glazed ham, huli huli chicken, and kahlua pork; glazed salmon, ono, and butterfish; chicken and pork casseroles; and most likely a mac salad and poke. It’s also a time for cultural festivals: Prince Kuhio Festivals on Maui and in Honolulu, and a week-long Merry Monarch Festival in Hilo. On all the islands, you’re likely to find that the larger hotels and resorts, as well as some retail malls, are hosting Easter egg hunts and visits by the Easter Bunny.

Fish and fruit salsa on the Easter menu

So what will we do for Easter dinner? Well, we do have a fully equipped kitchen, but any dinner here has to be a smaller affair because we won’t have the usual family gathering. Maybe roast chicken, roast pork loin … but since good fresh fish is available, I’ve decided to make a special fish dish served with pineapple and mango salsa, along with bok choi from the farmers’ market (pictured above).

In any case, it’s a simple meal. After all, we’re on vacation. No crowd of family around this time. No cherry-glazed ham, scalloped potatoes, or candied carrots – just a no-fuss dinner while we’re chilling out. And who knows? We could even dance around some eggs, but probably not blindfolded. Hau’oli La Pakoa or Happy Easter Day.

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