Kaaka
Kaaka is a traditional Hawaiian dish that originated from the indigenous Polynesian people who settled in the Hawaiian Islands. The name "kaaka" comes from the Hawaiian word for "sweet," reflecting the dish's primary ingredient: the ripe fruit of the *ʻōhiʻa lehua* tree (*Metrosideros polymorpha*), which is often referred to as "kaaka" in Hawaiian cuisine. The fruit is small, red, and sweet, resembling a cherry, and is typically used fresh or dried in various dishes.
The most common form of kaaka is the dried fruit, which is often soaked in water or
Beyond its culinary uses, kaaka holds cultural significance in Hawaiian traditions. The *ʻōhiʻa lehua* tree is