Most folks who book a beach resort vacation are searching for the perfect place to relax and get away from the pressures of everyday life. Sun, surf, beaches and downtime are all major draws! But might we also recommend taking advantage of your trip to Hawaii to experience the amazing local community and natural beauty of the island, and learn more about traditional culture? You won’t be disappointed if you do.
One easy way to do this is through – what else? – trying the traditional foods! In Hawaii, you can get a taste of the “local flavor,” so to speak, by taking time to try a variety of available local foods and recipes. It’s a fun and delicious way to spend your downtime when you visit the resort, you’ll definitely have memorable experiences you couldn’t make anywhere else.
So, where do we start? By making note that Hawaii is home to an amazing range of people and diverse cultures. In this post, we’ll feature some of the food and drink that is part of the traditional Hawaiian experience, which were brought over from Pacific Polynesian islands. But we’ve also included some modern favorites that have come out of that blending of cultures in a unique (and did we mention delicious?) way.
Some of the items on this list will be familiar, but while you may have heard of them you might not have tried them yet. Others will be brand new. We recommend that you sample them all!
Be sure to try one or more of the following Hawaiian foods during your stay at the beach resort:
1. Seafood
- Poke – This is a raw fish dish, usually made of diced ahi tuna but also sometimes using octopus. It’s usually seasoned with a combination of salt, onions, garlic, chili pepper, garlic, and oil. It’s sort of like ceviche.
- Tako – See above. When poke is made with octopus, it’s called tako.
- Lomi salmon – This is also a diced, raw fish dish. It was brought over from other Pacific islands, and is now traditionally served with poi. (Read on to learn about poi.) The dish is made with tomatoes and chili peppers, and has been described by some as a sort of Hawaiian salsa.
2. Fruit
- Pineapple – Who doesn’t love pineapple? Most everyone has tried it. Might we recommend you have it from locally sourced farmers? It’s also a well known digestive aid. Perfect for pairing with other items on this list!
- Lilikoi – You’re likely also familiar with this fruit. Lilikoi is the word for the fruit more commonly known as “passion fruit.”
- Bread fruit – This is the word for the native “ulu” fruit that grows on tall trees throughout the island. The ulu is usually cooked, but can be eaten raw. It’s called bread fruit because the starchy fruit can be baked, boiled, marinated, fried, and so much more – sort of like a potato.
3. Native plant-based foods
- Taro – The taro plant is used to make both Poi and Laulau. Poi is made from the root, and is mashed into a sort of sticky paste that’s served alongside many dishes. Laulau means “leaves” and is used to wrap meat and other prepared dishes for cooking to trap in moisture and flavor.
- Purple sweet potatoes - The native word for sweet potatoe is “uala.” The earliest Polynesians brought sweet potatoes to Hawaii on boats, and cultivated over 200 varieties.
4. Traditional cooking
- Where to start? This category could include a very long list of favorite recipes, but instead we’ll recommend you try the following select group of crowd pleasers: Kalua pig; Pipi Kaula; Haupia; and Kulolo.
5. Modern favorites – All of these are a fusion of the many cultures we have, and are known to be popular within the community.
- Spam
- Chicken long rice
- Musubi
- White rice
Finally, might we suggest that during your stay at the beach resort, you plan to visit a farmers market? Since we offer kitchens, you’re free to pick up things you haven’t tried and take them home. But also, you can head out to sample from the amazing local restaurants – and bring home the leftovers if you’re too full to finish!
These are just a few suggestions. We’re excited about the upcoming grand reopening of our beach resort in Maui Westside. Please be sure to check back here regularly for updates, and visit our social media channels. We’re looking forward to welcoming you!