Before a pig or turkey is place in the imu, chopped pieces of banana plant are spread over the hot rocks. The white, juicy lining of this plant makes a lot of stream, but it can also cause a bitter taste.
So ti leaves are layered over it. Finally, the pig or turkey is placed in the imu, along with sweet potatoes, pineapple, plantain, vegetable and even fresh fire all wrapped in ti leaves.
More hot rocks are spread over their bundles of food, then more ti leaves, a layer of wet sacks, and a canvas covering. Dirt is shoveled into the hole and patted down smoothly. Not a trace can be seen of either the meal or the earth oven in which it is cooking.
Three to four hour later, the dirt is shoveled away. The men dip their hands in cold water and then quickly remove the burned leaves and rocks, allowing delicious smells to emerge from the oven. The bundles of cooked food are taken out, uncovered, and placed on platters, ready for a different kind of Thanksgiving meal, cooked and served Hawaiian style.