What's Thanksgiving all about? According to Honolulu first-graders: enjoying kalua pork, spending the day off playing Nintendo DS games and remembering the pilgrims who first landed in "South America."

Thought you knew everything about Thanksgiving? Probably not the way a few 6-year-olds at Mililani Mauka Elementary School do.

Teacher Lori Jakahi's students shared their version of the holiday's history and traditions, at The Advertiser's request. Here's what they had to say:

"It's a day to give thanks to others," Alina Fujinaka started off in her little voice.

Thanksgiving as we've come to know it today began a long, long time ago, the children said.

"The king of England, he wanted to do all the stuff that he wanted and the pilgrims didn't like it, so they left and then they rode the Mayflower," Caleb Shin said in a very dramatic tone.

Caleb excitedly continued: "Christopher Columbus found America, and then they (the pilgrims) went to America. Wait. South America? Yeah, South America. And then they had a feast over there with the Indians because they were thankful for all the things to make food."

That feast included things like corn and squash, the students said.

And maybe even bananas, Matthew Matsuo said.

"Of course, turkey!" Alina exclaimed.

"Oh, I loooooove turkey," Caleb said with a big smile.

Turkeys "are the symbol of Thanksgiving," Ashley Foy added.

"Maybe it's because Thanksgiving is, like, brown, and the turkeys are brown," Caleb said as his classmates giggled beside him.

Modern Thanksgiving dinners include your typical fare — turkey, gravy, bread, corn and pumpkin pie — as well as other family favorites, the children said.

Like "chocolate candy and kalua pork," Matthew said.

"Ice cream," Caleb added.

Since Thanksgiving is a holiday, kids don't have to go to school. So they can spend the day as they please.

"I like to go to my grandma's house," Alina said.

"I like to play with my (Nintendo) DS," Matthew replied.

"I like to have Thanksgiving dinner at G.G.'s house," said Arden Ching. "G.G. is my great-grandma."

The festive dinner, by the way, is lovingly prepared by many hands, including moms', dads' and grandmas', the little ones said.

"Usually lots of people (cook) 'cause they just bring, like, whatever their dish is," Arden said.

It's important to be patient as dishes are made because it can take a long time. The students like to keep busy in different ways.

"Sometimes we do crafts," Alina said. "Like last Thanksgiving, I think we made, like, a book."

"Sometimes I play on the Xbox," Matthew replied.

"My dad watches TV — sports," Ashley said.

As Thanksgiving nears, the children reflected on what they're most grateful for.

"I'm thankful for the soldiers," Alina said.

"I'm thankful for my friends, my family, my cousins and God," Arden said.

And they're most favorite thing about the holiday?

"Having a feast with my family," Ashley said.

"Giving thanks," Caleb said. "I mean playing."