In Hawaii, there is perhaps only one food that is more engrained in the island culture than pineapple – and that Hawaiian food is Spam. This quintessential canned ham product manufactured in Minnesota was introduced to the islands during the 1940s, and it has become a wildly popular staple food across the islands. There is even an annual Spam festival in Hawaii! If you’re curious how Spam became so popular in a location approximately 4,000 miles from its origins, read on find out just why is Spam so popular in Hawaii.

1. Spam is versatile.
Janine/Flickr
While you will most commonly see spam musubi and spam fried rice in Hawaii, there are infinite ways to use this canned meat – there is even an entire Spam cookbook dedicated to the culinary art of preparing Spam in Hawaii, "Hawaii’s Spam Cookbook," written by Ann Kondo Corum.
2. It’s been around for decades.
Anon a mouse Lee/Wikimedia Commons
The canned meat was introduced to the islands to feed soldiers during World War II, and stayed long after the troops left. Pictured above is a 1936 can from before it even got its famous name.
3. It’s convenient.
Eddie Awad/Flickr
Why do Hawaiians love Spam? Well, because Hawaii is the most isolated population center on earth, residents must rely on a great deal of expensive, imported food – but not Spam. The staple food is compact, nonperishable, and relatively inexpensive, making it the perfect thing to keep in your pantry.
4. Spam musubi is a perfect on-the-go snack.
B D T/Flickr
Spam musubi - A slice of Spam perched atop a block of rice and wrapped in seaweed – is perhaps the most popular dish made with Spam in Hawaii, and it’s available almost everywhere. Statistics show that Hawaii 7-Eleven stores go through approximately 70,000 Spam musubis each week.

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5. Spam is cheaper than other meats.
Sandwich/Flickr
It’s much easier and cheaper to import shelf-stable meat than it is to import fresh meat, or even livestock that could potentially be damaging to Hawaiian conservation efforts.
6. It has become part of Hawaiian culture.
Danielle Chang/Flickr
Why else would 25,000 people show up for the annual Waikiki Spam Jam, a crazy celebration of the canned meat that has been popular in Hawaii for so many decades?
7. Spam is durable.
Razzlefrazzle/Flickr
The nonperishable meat product is made from pork, water, sugar, salt, sodium nitrate, and potato starch, which means it doesn’t need to be cooked or refrigerated to be eaten safely.
8. Hormel has even created flavors specific to the Hawaiian Islands.
Frank Hamm/Flickr
Teriyaki and Portuguese sausage flavors were manufactured specifically for the Hawaiian market.
9. It’s delicious!
-ted/Flickr
Why is Spam so popular in Hawaii? Well, we think one of the main reasons is pretty simple: it's delicious! The average Hawaii resident consumes more than five cans of Spam each year – which may not seem like a ton, but that’s more than any other American state.

Check out this Youtube video of celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay cooking up a Hawaiian classic dish: scrambled eggs and Spam!:

How many cans of Spam do you think you eat each year? What is your favorite Spam dish?

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Food And Stereotypes In Hawaii

Sara Dager | July 15, 2022

What stereotypes are there about Hawaii?

Here are a few stereotypes about Hawaii that have permeated popular culture:

  • All Hawaiians know how to do is surf and relax
  • Hawaiians have a funny accent
  • The Hula is known by every local. However
  • The aforementioned love of Spam
  • The friendly nature of the locals
  • Hawaii maybe just a little bit stuck in the past when it comes to trends.

 

While some are true, and some definitely aren't, it's interesting to learn what those who don't live on the islands think of Hawaii.

What are the most popular foods in Hawaii?

Here are some of the most popular Hawaiian foods :

  • Loco Moco, a gravy-covered concoction of rice, a beef patty, and an egg.
  • Manapua, steamed pork buns, are much-enjoyed lunch treats.
  • Shave ice
  • Malasadas, a Portuguese fried dough treats

 

What are the best hidden gem restaurants in Hawaii?

The following hole-in-the-wall restaurants in Hawaii are fantastic places to grab a meal:

  • Ono Tacos in Lahaina will satisfy your craving for Mexican with tacos and sides of all sorts.
  • Obama loves Rainbow Drive-in with their Hawaiian classic lunch plates that come with two hearty scoops of rice and one macaroni salad!

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