Big Island Now Poll #6 results: Egg hunt wins favorite Easter tradition

It was neck-and-neck for a good portion of the week between hunting for those colorful eggs or having brunch, lunch or dinner with family or friends.

In the end, Easter egg hunt edged out Easter brunch/lunch/dinner to claim the top spot in Big Island Now’s most recent 30-second poll: “What is your favorite Easter tradition?”

Easter egg hunt garnered 84 votes, or 20 percent, of the total 402, with Easter brunch/lunch/dinner just behind with 81 votes, also 20 percent.

“Easter eggs, Easter baskets, Easter bunny,” commented Noraluz Calugas on Facebook, his favorites running a gammit.

Decorating/dying Easter eggs came in third with 63 votes (15 percent), and Easter regular Sunday church service was a close fourth with 62 votes, also 15 percent.

Here are the full results from last week’s poll:

• Easter egg hunt: 84 (20%)
• Easter brunch/lunch/dinner: 81 (20%)
• Decorating/dying Easter eggs: 63 (15%)
• Easter regular Sunday church service: 62 (15%)
• Easter sunrise Sunday church service: 39 (9%)
• Eating all that Easter candy: 39 (9%)
• Giving/receiving Easter baskets: 23 (5%)
• Baking Easter goodies: 8 (1%)
• New Easter clothes: 2 (0%)
• Photos with the Easter Bunny: 1 (0%)

Total votes: 402

As a child, the top four results — at least for me — were pretty much part of the Easter deal. We would wake up Easter Sunday to either one large Easter basket or individual baskets full of chocolate and other candy, as well as toys and even new clothes. Then we would go to church, which would be followed by Sunday school for us kids and fellowship time for the adults.

We would then head to Grandma and Grandpa’s house for the annual Easter egg hunt. (We spent much of the two days leading up to the holiday dying real eggs, too.) Myself, my siblings and all of our cousins would wander around our grandparents’ yard looking for the Easter Bunny’s bounty, which most often contained more candy — but sometimes money.

Once all of the festivities were finished, we’d head back inside to the wonderful smells of roasting ham and other casseroles still wafting through the house and sweets that were ready for the taking. That’s my Easter favorite — the food, family and fellowship. But really, mostly the food.

I am continuing that tradition this year, albeit not with my family on the mainland but my ‘ohana here on the Big Island. This year’s menu includes a 10-pound lilikoi-glazed ham (which better be enough for the about 10 people who will be here), mashed potatoes, baked mac and cheese with bacon, broccoli cauliflower cheesy rice casserole, a lettuce salad, dinner buns and a dessert, which has yet to be decided.

Whatever your favorite Easter tradition, religious or not, have a great time!

Editor’s Note: On Monday, Big Island Now’s weekly Poll #7 will ask: “Which kind of animal do you prefer as a pet?” in honor of National Pet Day on April 11.