Category: Hawaii Accommodations & Dining

Unless you brave far into the depths of Chinatown, the most exotic Asian food you’ll most likely eat while in Hawaii is the fiery-red-colored concoction in the jar. Open the jar, and find out how good of a batch you really got by the way your eyes and nose instantly react. The vibrantly contained colors […]

Chocolate covered mac nuts! Kona coffee! Did I get your attention? They’re popular products that complete any trip to Hawaii and remind visitors of our island gems in the middle of the Pacific. Chocolate covered macadamia nuts. ‘Nuff said! That’s why a local committee is putting together about 9,500 boxes of goodies for international dignitaries […]

You’ve got a lot of great food to try in Hawaii. There’s kalua pig roasted in an underground imu oven, and poi pounded from taro roots. You’ll likely get authentic Hawaii poke while you’re here, along with local fruits and juices. One must-try Hawaii snack is li hing mui (lee-HEE-moo-EE). It’s a culmination of the […]

Looking for pau hana meaning? You must be in Hawaii, where this is a common phrase echoed by locals celebrating the end of a hard day’s work.  In fact, Pau Hana means “done with work.” It’s a time of relaxation and socializing in Hawaii.  But even if you’re on vacation, thousands of miles away from […]

No Luau in Hawaii is complete without a big, juicy, steaming laulau. The translation of the word laulau in a food context literally means “wrapped package,” and is truly a little gift of ono (oh-NO; delicious). Today, salted pork or beef is the usual meat source for laulau. In ancient times, Hawaiians used dog as […]

At Waimanalo Country Farms, it’s all about ohana (family). Every day, Dominic Kadooka, his wife Shawn and the rest of their ohana plant and harvest their 52-acre farm, nestled against the Koolau mountain range. The farm was established in 1948, and since 2001, the main crop has been a variety of sweet corn, sold from […]

Mochi Oahu: Are you looking for a sweet treat while on the island? Or maybe you’re missing this tasty snack after you return home. Today we’ve got lots of great info about mochi, including a recipe in case you want to try your hand at making it at home.  Memories of Mochi in Hawaii and […]

What is part of every meal in Hawaii? Not pineapple, although it is a common garnish along with flowers. Not bread or potatoes, although it is white. Rice! As the outer roll of sushi or a bed for musubi or the two scoops of a plate lunch, rice is the most popular food in the […]

Sure, you can get bacon, ham or sausage with breakfast in Hawaii. But the menu also includes spam and often hot dogs. Not just any hot dogs, bright red ones. The bright red hot dogs are a local favorite. I hear some are popular in other parts of the mainland, but I had never seen […]

To the untrained eye, shave ice and snow cones may appear to be one and the same: frozen treats topped with colorful syrups, beckoning on a hot summer day. However, beneath their similar appearances lies a world of distinction, a tale of two frozen delights with unique origins, textures, and cultural significance. First, the flavors […]

Haupia, a traditional Hawaiian dessert, is more than just a culinary delight; it’s a symphony of flavors and textures, a testament to the ingenuity of Hawaiian cuisine, and a symbol of the islands’ rich cultural heritage. Born from the bounty of the coconut palm, haupia embodies the essence of simplicity and elegance. Its preparation is […]

SPAM Musubi: convenient, portable, and cheap. Most people love SPAM in Hawaii, and a musubi is the go-to way to enjoy the canned meat.  You’ll see SPAM Musubi everywhere in the islands. It’s kind of like Hawaii’s (tastier) version of a food bar or peanut butter sandwich. It’s common to see people pull one out […]