By Melinda Gaines
Foods Traditions of Hawaii
When people think of traditional Hawaiian foods, the festive luau typically comes to mind. Though this is traditional fare in Hawaii, many other foods are common including a wide array of seafood, meat and vegetable dishes.
The Luau
The Hawaiian luau is an elaborate type of celebration. The highlight of a luau is the kalua pig, a whole pig roasted in a pit called an imu. Other foods typically served at a luau include poi (mashed taro root), lau lau (food wrapped in leaves and steamed along with the kalua pig), and haupia (a dessert made of coconut pudding).
Seafood and Meat Dishes
Seafood is abundant in Hawaii and is a staple food source. There are many traditional seafood dishes, such as lomi lomi salmon (diced, seasoned salmon that's served raw), poke (a salad made of raw seafood), ahi tuna and Kahuku prawns.
Typical meat dishes include shoyu chicken, teriyaki beef, and spam--it's very popular in Hawaii, and is often served fried along with rice.
Other Traditional Foods
Sweet potatoes, Waimanalo greens, sugar cane, taro root, curries, macaroni salad, and Puna goat cheese are other foods traditional to Hawaii.
About the Author:
Melinda Gaines has been a freelance writer since 2006, with work appearing online for YellowPages and other websites. Her areas of expertise include business, beauty, fashion and sports. Gaines attended the University of Houston where she earned a Bachelor of Science in sport administration.
Photo Credits:
Christian Razukas, Wikimedia Commons
