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| Country Guide > North America > United States of America > Hawaii |
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Social Profile Food & Drink Hawaiian food offers the best of ‘Pacific Rim’ and ‘New American’ cooking syles, influenced by Chinese, Mediterranean, Mexican and other Asian countries. Many dishes are based on chicken, pork, seafood and local fruit and vegetables cooked using traditional methods. Special condiments and spices are used (see below). Much of the food available on the islands is basically US with Asian influences brought in by the assortment of ethnicities that make up the population. The classic traditional Hawaiian feast is the luau based around a puaa kalua (whole pig) that has been shaved and rubbed with rock salt on the inside. It is then placed on chicken wire, filled with hot stones from the fire, and cooked in an imu (pit) along with sweet potatoes, plantains and sometimes laulau (pork, butterfish and spinach-like taro shoots wrapped in leaves and steamed). The steam is prevented from escaping by encircling the pig with banana and coconut husks and taro leaves and covering the pit with wet burlap bags. The cooking process takes about six hours. The kalua pig is eaten with fingers and is accompanied by the traditional Hawai’ian poi (thick paste made from ground taro), opihi (a salty, black, clam-like mollusc) and lomi lomi salmon (salmon rubbed with an onion and tomato marinade). Chicken luau comprises tender chicken pieces cooked with taro tops and coconut cream. Garnishes include limu (seaweed), paakai rock salt and chopped roasted kukui nuts. Local seafood includes moi (mullet) ulua, opakapaka (pink snapper), lobster and yellowfin tuna. Hawaiian breakfast specialities are macadamia nuts and banana and coconut pancakes with coconut syrup. Fresh fruit and nut ice-creams or sorbets make excellent desserts. The minimum legal drinking age is 21 years of age. It is illegal to consume alcohol in parks and on beaches. Nightlife Bars and nightclubs abound, especially on Oahu and Maui. Top international stars are booked, whilst luau shows (traditional Hawaiian banquets followed by live performances of music and dancing) are in themselves a great attraction. Jazz, big band music, tea dances and hula groups are all available. Shopping The Aloha Tower Marketplace, Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center and the Ala Moana Shopping Center in Waikiki Beach, Honolulu, are popular shopping areas. Opening hours: Mon-Sat 0900-2100. Some shops may open Sun 0830-1800. Sport Golf courses are numerous and scenic. Deep-sea fishing is very popular off Hawaii’s Big Island. The Hawai’ian islands are particularly good for watersports. For would-be yachtspeople, one-week yachting charters are available, with or without crews. All boats are equipped with Coast-Guard-approved safety equipment and are under Coast Guard supervision. Surfing is, of course, a very popular sport – for both participants and spectators. Waikiki Beach is probably the most famous surfing beach in the world; learners are welcome here. Snorkelling is especially popular near the Molokini Crater off Maui, as well as at various sites around each of the islands. Increasingly popular is the hair- and dust-raising sport of downhill biking, particularly so on the 64km (40 miles) of Haleakala volcano’s slopes in Maui. In addition, there are some exciting international events such as the Canoe Races, in which outrigger canoes race against each other. One particularly gruelling race course runs from Molokai to Waikiki. Races take place from autumn to spring. Special Events There is a variety of events and festivals on the different islands; an up-to-date list can be found online (website: www.calendar.gohawaii.com). The following is a selection of special events occurring in Hawaii in 2005: Jan 10-16 Sony Open in Hawaii 2005, Oahu. Jan 22 Hula Bowl 2005 Maui All-Star Football Classic, Maui. Feb 14 Valentine’s Biathlon Relay, Oahu. Mar 27-Apr 2 Merrie Monarch Festival (cultural festival, including Hawaii’s most prestigious hula competition), Hawaii. Apr 1-2 12th Annual Hawaii International Jazz Festival, Maui. Jul 23-24 Waikiki Artfest, Oahu. Sep 9-17 Aloha Festivals (Hawaii's largest multicultural festival), Hawaii. Sep 24 Matsuri Kauai 2005, Haua. Oct 15 Ironman Triathalon World Championship, Hawaii. |