Aloha! and Pass the SPAM!
Speaking of “spam”, did you know that the residents of the state of Hawaii consume the most Spam per capita of any state?
I took this photo (pic. right) at the grocery store on Maui of the Spam display. There were lots of flavor choices that we never see here, including “Spam with bacon” and “Spam hot & spicy” and best of all it was on sale! 
One of the most popular snacks in Hawaii is “Spam Musubi”, which combines sushi rice, a spicy sauce, a piece of cooked spam and a wrap of nori seaweed into a “ono” (delicious) bite.
The annual “Waikiki Spam Jam” is a hugely popular festival held every year around the 1st of May with live entertainment and local chefs showcasing their best Spam recipes.
Are you wondering how Spam got so popular in the Islands? Hormel introduced the product in 1937, about the same time US military bases took up residence on Oahu. Since fresh meat was so difficult to get to the soldiers across the Pacific, Spam became a staple for the troops and filtered into the Hawaiian culture, especially during WWII.
The perception of Spam in Hawaii is quite different than here on the mainland, and it’s even on the menu at the local McDonalds and most casual breakfast restaurants.
So, be sure to include this culinary treat on your next Signature Escape to Hawaii– Aloha! and pass the SPAM!
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