The Iberian Connection to Hawaii’s Cuisine & Culture
Drive around town, listen to Hawaii radio or a stop at the store, and notable Iberian influences on Hawaii’s cuisine and culture can be seen, heard and tasted around the Islands. On any given day, it’s a waiting game for malasadas at Leonard’s Bakery, a modern day version of the hot deep fried Portuguese “donuts” first introduced to Hawaii in the late 19th century by immigrants from Azores and Madeira.
Sugar Cane Past Keeps on Chugging
While The Mill House is a modern, open-air, architectural wonder of a restaurant that was built in 1982, it pays homage to that era with sugar-mill objects of art such as two, museum-quality antique steam locomotives that transported sugarcane to be processed along with other massive industry implements displayed both inside and on the grounds.
Ko Hana Rum Distillery: Work of the Cane
The next time you find yourself on the west side of the island of Oahu, do yourself a favor and go get lost in the cane fields of Kunia for an hour or so. The greenery is lush, the air is crisp and clean, and you find yourself taking the time to breathe deep and pause for a moment. After about a mile drive, take a left to reach KoHana Distillery, the home of KoHana Rum.
The Revitalization of Ulu
or centuries, ulu, or breadfruit, has been cultivated in the Pacific Islands, first introduced to the Hawaiian archipelago as a canoe plant brought by Polynesian settlers. Ulu is touted as a sustainable starch for its low maintenance requirements to produce high yield in diversified cropping systems.
Girl’s Got Game
The Hawaii Food & Wine Festival puts a spotlight on the women who are revolutionizing the culinary and agriculture industries. Discover the unique stories of farmer Shin Ho, pastry chefs Christina Tosi and Joanne Chang, and chef Lee Anne Wong.
Sustainability for the Future
The Hawaii Food & Wine Festival addresses this issue by focusing on the local farmers, ranchers and food producers to get consumers to take notice — and action. This has been the mission of renowned chef and culinary pioneer Roy Yamaguchi, who is behind this restaurant concept, showcasing his commitment to using fresh, local ingredients in his dishes, from hearty salads to hefty burgers.
The History of Hawaii’s Royalty Cocktail: The Mai Tai
Upon touching down on the beautiful shores of Hawaii, Mai Tai is the timeless drink of choice to quench the tropical thirst. This famed cocktail while ubiquitous, has extensive variations. The Mai Tai was born in California, although it is commonly believed to be...
Mexico Meets Hawaii
Chef Rick Bayless discovers the intersection of Hawaiian and Mexican cuisines at the Papahana Kuaola ahupuaa.
Bayless, who was named Hawaii Food & Wine Festival’s second Culinary Hero in April 2019, made history in Hawaii at Papahana Kuaola and created his traditional Mexican dish, using Hawaiian cooking traditions. He had planned to prepare locally-raised pork for his dish, but rather than cook his pig in an oven, he cooked it in a Hawaiian imu (or pit) which is similar, yet different, from the Mexican method of cooking a pig in the ground.