Aloha Week

Description of Aloha Week

Aloha Festivals was first held in 1946 as Aloha Week, and over the past six and a half decades has become a celebration of Hawaiian culture, integrating the traditions and cultures of the Islands through music, dance, cuisine and art. See our Haupia recipe below.

Haupia Recipe

In the classroom we would celebrate Aloha week with various art activities including making this Haupia recipe with the children. Haupia is a Hawaiian sweet made from coconut milk, cornstarch, and white sugar. Although often referred to as a type of pudding, the consistency of this dessert is similar to jell-o and is usually served in squares. It is best served chilled. We also enjoy it in other desserts like Haupia Pie.

Ingredients for our Haupia Recipe

• 2 cans of frozen Coconut milk (Mendonca is a favorite brand)
• 10 Tbs sugar
• 10 Tbs cornstarch
• 1 1/2 cups water

Other Materials

• 9 x 13 pan
• Large pot and wooden spoon for stirring

Steps

• Combine sugar and cornstarch. Then add the water.
• Pour the coconut milk into the pot. Add the sugar, cornstarch and water mixture.
• Cook on medium high heat. Stir until it boils. Remove from heat after one minute.
• Pour into a 9 x 13 pan. Let cool until firm. Cut into squares. Refrigerate to keep fresh.

Tips and Suggestions

• Stir frequently to keep mixture from scalding.
• Have the recipe written out and point out ingredients and steps as you go.
• Line up ingredients on table to help reinforce sequencing skills.
• Have children guess if this will be a salty or sweet treat.

Chocolate Haupia Pie Recipe

This is a copy cat of Ted's Bakery Chocolate Haupia Pie. Having grown up in Hawaii, Chocolate Haupia pie is a wonderful treat and we especially enjoy the one from Ted's Bakery. I searched online to see if I could find a copy cat recipe so I could share this dessert with my kids. Here is our version of this using our Haupia recipe.

Ingredients

• 1 9 inch shortbread pie crust (premade or use your favorite recipe)
• 1 can coconut milk 14 ounces (Mendonca brand is our favorite)
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

For the Whipped Topping

• 1 1/2 cup whipping cream
• 1/4 cup sugar or to taste

Steps

• In a medium saucepan, combine milk, sugar, and coconut milk. Heat to a boil, stirring occasionally.
• Meanwhile, combine cornstarch and water and whisk to fully combine.
• Once coconut milk is boiling, reduce to a simmer and whisk in cornstarch slurry.
• Continue to stir over low heat until mixture is thickened, to the consistency of pudding.
• Melt chocolate chips a chocolate double boiler or in a microwave safe bowl in the microwave (make sure to stir occasionally so it doesn't burn).
• Divide coconut mixture evenly into two bowls and stir chocolate in to one.
• Spread chocolate mixture onto the bottom of the pie shell and smooth out with a spatula. Note that we did it opposite but it worked out fine.
• Top with the other half of the coconut mixture and smooth out. Refrigerate until cool for at least 2 hours.
• Before serving, whip the cream with sugar and layer on the pies. You can use a pastry bag with tip to make a fancy pattern or you could just use Cool Whip if you prefer.

Classroom Activity

Tips and Suggestions

• Easy activity to make a book to go along with the recipe. See photo below to facilitate the book making process.
• Cut into fun shapes with cookie cutters or Jello cutters.

Stringing Paper Flower Leis for Aloha Week

Steps

• Cut the flowers out from the construction paper
• Make a single hole punch in the middle of each flower
• Cut the straws into 1: lengths
• Cut a piece of yarn and tie a knot at one end
• String the flowers on the yarn with a piece of straw between each one. Tie two ends of the string together to make a completed circle.

Seashell Hanging