Melveen Leed performed to a full house
Hui 'Ilima is a non-profit Hawaiian club made up of ex-pat Hawaii people living in the Bay Area. Their mission is to promote the Aloha Spirit and an appreciation of the Hawaiian culture. This past weekend, Hui 'Ilima held their 52nd annual Luau in Mountain View. This is even more amazing when you consider that the State of Hawaii is 52 years old.
On the Mainland, "Hawaii" and "Hawaiian" are sometimes used interchangeably. Hawaii Food is delicious but broad "mixed plate food" that arose from intermingling cultures (Hawaiian, Japanese, Chinese, Portuguese, etc.), giving us plate lunches, loco-moco, haupia-filled malasadas, li-hing mui BBQ chicken or kalua-pig manapua.
Hawaiian Food is the unique and utterly delicious food based on the native culture of Hawaii.
On the Mainland, "Hawaii" and "Hawaiian" are sometimes used interchangeably. Hawaii Food is delicious but broad "mixed plate food" that arose from intermingling cultures (Hawaiian, Japanese, Chinese, Portuguese, etc.), giving us plate lunches, loco-moco, haupia-filled malasadas, li-hing mui BBQ chicken or kalua-pig manapua.
Hawaiian Food is the unique and utterly delicious food based on the native culture of Hawaii.
Smushy tomatoes are not OK
Every year, Hui 'Ilima members come together to craft traditional Hawaiian luau food--lomi salmon, fish, poi, rice, kalua pig and sweet potatoes. I was lucky enough to be invited to see just how much work goes into feeding over 600 Hawaiian-food craving people.
First of all, prep involves talk-story, eating and chopping--A LOT of talk-story and chopping. Lomi salmon requires 150 pounds of fresh tomatoes chopped into very precisely-sized small chunks. Chicken long rice requires chopping cases of green onions. Also by hand.
First of all, prep involves talk-story, eating and chopping--A LOT of talk-story and chopping. Lomi salmon requires 150 pounds of fresh tomatoes chopped into very precisely-sized small chunks. Chicken long rice requires chopping cases of green onions. Also by hand.
The craft of preparing a luau also involves 1) building an imu and 2) making kalua pig. An imu is a BIG pit lined with hot rocks, banana leaves and then covered with more banana leaves. The pork is salted, wrapped and put in the imu and slow cooked for hours. You could never do this at home, but old-school works well.
As with the Mountain View Obon, it's not necessarily about 'process efficiency' so much as it is to share--it feels like really big family party. From the back-and-forth banter, it's clear that the Hui Ilima members are lifelong friends. And I love that the club gives back to its home by supporting charities like Second Harvest, the Family Giving Tree and Martha's Kitchen.
Hui 'Ilima is what ohana and real Hawaiian homemade food is all about. Already thinking about next year!
Eat Well. Be Well.
As with the Mountain View Obon, it's not necessarily about 'process efficiency' so much as it is to share--it feels like really big family party. From the back-and-forth banter, it's clear that the Hui Ilima members are lifelong friends. And I love that the club gives back to its home by supporting charities like Second Harvest, the Family Giving Tree and Martha's Kitchen.
Hui 'Ilima is what ohana and real Hawaiian homemade food is all about. Already thinking about next year!
Eat Well. Be Well.
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