​
​Just about everyone knows - Hawaii has a Spam problem.  Now, just to be clear - most locals would define it as the opposite of a problem - more of a gift to the world.  Moreover, we’re not talking about unwanted emails - we are talking about the potted meat pork product.  Here are a couple of facts that you’ll probably hear your taxi driver, a tour guide, or a hotel worker say with interest:

1. The state of Hawaii consumes more Spam than all the other states combined. 
2. Hawaii is the only state where you can get Spam, eggs, and rice for breakfast --at McDonalds!
3. In Hawaii there are twelve varieties of Spam
4. There is a hidden and dark Spam underworld in Hawaii. 

​

​Now, as to the dark and dangerous Spam underworld - it’s true that during the war Spam could be traded on the black market for just about anything - and to some extent that continues today.  Most shops limit Spam purchases to five cans per visit in order to keep shelves full and customers returning.  In 2017 and 2018, there were some major issues with shoplifters stealing Spam to sell for easy cash that could be turned into drugs or booze - so a black market still sort of exists.  Many shopkeepers began putting Spam behind the counters to prevent this theft.  The truth is that the stories were exaggerated by the media - but have a little bit of truth to them. 

So, let’s get some Spam!
​

If you’re looking for a world class farmer’s market on Oahu - you don’t have to go all the way into the country.  You can just head up towards Diamond Head and visit the best farmer’s market on Oahu.  The Kapiolani Community College Farmer’s Market happens every Saturday from 7:30am - 11:30am.  If you are a member of the Farm Bureau you can get in earlier. 

This is so much more than a farmer’s market.  It’s more like a showcase of Oahu cuisine, agricultural products, and even entertainment.  There are usually musicians performing and you can sample Oahu grown coffee, honey, fruits, vegetables, shrimp, fish, and much more.  It changes every week.  In addition, some of Oahu’s most innovative chefs have gotten their start at the KCC farmer’s market.  Some people say that the food from the renowned Oahu eatery, The Pig and the Lady tastes better at the KCC because it’s where it started!
​

​This farmer’s market goes every weekend whether it is rain or shine.  It’s usually crowded but that’s a huge part of the fun.  The people watching is half the joy of coming to the KCC farmer’s market.  People from Asia, the USA, Europe, Australia, Africa, the Middle East - all shopping, smiling, tasting, and enjoying some of the best that Oahu and Hawaii have to offer.  It’s a global shopping experience!

To get there grab a taxi or a ride share - or if you are in Waikiki just walk.  The address is 4303 Diamond Head Road.  There is no entrance fee - but make sure you bring cash - many vendors don’t take credit cards. 

​​There are few things more Hawaiian than being a water man - and the Backdoor Shootout Surf Contest at Ehukai Beach Park (also known as The Banzai Pipeline) celebrates one of Hawaii’s most famous water man, Duke Kahanamoku. 

The Backdoor Shootout is more than just a surfing competition.  It’s a four-man-team competition where the competitors are jersey-less (not sponsored) and the entire competition is run by Da Hui, the surf brotherhood that became a locally grown surf company.  The contest is divided into bodysurfing, bodyboarding, longboarding, SUPing, and short boarding. 

Surfing in waterproof board shorts on a fibreglass board are both relatively new innovations but surfing itself is an ancient sport of Hawaiian chiefs.  Oahu has always been known for excellent surfing.  In ancient times when Honolulu was still known as Kou, there was a famous surf break near what is now Ala Moana Beach Park.  It was called Ke-kai-o-Mamala or the Mamala Sea. 



​Mamala was an ancient surfing legend.  She was a high ranking chiefess in life but at some point she changed into a giant surfing lizard - a mo’o.  From that point forward she could change into the form of a beautiful woman or a fierce lizard.  Hawaiians say that she would surf in both forms - one thing for sure - you wouldn’t want to drop in on her wave! 

They say that she would paddle far out into the ocean where the waves were high and rough and then she would ride the waves into the shore where the old Honolulu (Kou) residents would cheer and applaud.  Her husband, Ouha became jealous of all the attention showered on her and challenged her to a surfing competition.  She easily defeated him and then mocked him in front of all the people. 

Being thus disgraced and humiliated in front of so many people was so terrible to Ouha that he lost his human form and turned into a shark god that would prowl the waters between Kokohead and Waikiki looking for surfers to eat!


The Hawaiians have a beautiful chant in which they remember and honor Mamala.  Translated it reads:

The surf rises at Ko’olau, 
Blowing the waves into mist.
Into little drops, 
Spray Falling along the hidden harbor
There is my dear husband Ouha
There is the shaking sea, the running sea of Kou
The crab like moving sea of Kou
Prepare the awa to drink, the crab to eat. 
The small konane board is at Hono-kau-pu
My friend on the highest point of the wave
This is good surf for us
My love has gone away
Smooth is the floor of Kou
Fine is the breeze from the mountains
I wait for you to return. 
​

Of course, when people think of Hawaii - they think of the beach and the sunshine.  However, the other side of that coin is the mountains and the rain.  Hawaii is the only state in the USA with a tropical rainforest.  Hawaii’s rainforests are not like you see in Tarzan movies.  Here we don’t have monkeys, rhinos, hippos, or lions.  In fact, we don’t have any snakes at all.  Hawaii is snake free! 
​

​​Our rainforests are mostly about flowers and birds.  There are only two indigenous mammals in Hawaii - the Hawaiian Bat and the Hawaiian Monk Seal - though you might see some of our introduced mammals -the wild boar, mongoose, rats, or feral cats.  Really though - it’s all about the birds and flowers.  Shama Thrush’s, Honeycreepers ('I'iwi in the Hawaiian Language), 'Ohi'a Lehua, and of course Plumeria and Hibiscus flowers. 

​So, where can you see the rainforest on Oahu?  It’s easy.  Head up to Manoa Falls or Lyon Arboretum if you are in town (Honolulu) or to the Waimea Valley on the North Shore.  Both areas offer scenic and beautiful hikes and walks where you are sure to see Hawaiian birds, flowers, and other wildlife. 

As an added bonus - the waterfalls at the tops of the valleys are spectacular places to cool off after a mild hike through the tropical rainforest. 

​
​Still, even with all of these uses and more, the best use of a papaya is for your breakfast!  Simply cut it in half, clear out the seeds, squeeze a bit of lime juice on it, and dig in with your spoon. 
​

​Old timers are likely to tell you that it means ‘sheltered hollow’ and refers to the rich district of farmland that existed between the mountains and the sea in what is now downtown Honolulu and Kakaako, but later sailers decided it meant “Fair Haven” and referred to the Harbor itself.  Now, the truth is that the two words can mean both of those things but most likely they refer to Hono meaning Abundance and Lulu meaning Peace - so Abundance of Peace - which is what old Honolulu had before Western sailors began coming to Hawaii. 

​Prior to Western Contact, Honolulu was a forgotten piece of country land.  In these days, all the hustle and hubub of warriors and kingdoms took place in what is now Ewa and Kapolei.  It was Western sailors who needed that big harbor for their big ships - the Hawaiians were fine landing their watercraft in all kinds of places.  In addition, the ancient Hawaiians had the advantage of pulling their canoes (Wa'a in the Hawaiian Language) out of the water if the weather was rough. ​
​

​Another version of the origin of the name Honolulu says that it was named after a chief who resided there at the time of contact - his name was Honolulu.  It was described at that time as ‘a fat land with flowing streams and springs of water, and taro patches'.

We also know that Honolulu was known as Kou until the time of Kamehameha I (right around the time of contact with the West).  Our friends at the Bishop Museum say that all the stories have some merit - but nobody is willing to commit to just one of them. 

Any visitor to Hawaiian beaches outside of Waikiki will encounter a plant with waxy leaves and an interesting white flower that has purplish streaks in it.  Actually, the flower is interesting when you look closer because a fully formed bloom only looks like half a flower. 

The plant is Naupaka Kahakai and it is one of eight varieties of Naupaka in Hawaii.  Of the eight varieties, Naupaka Kahakai is the only one found outside of Hawaii because of its ability to survive in salt water.  It can get as high as 10 feet tall and generally grows only on coastlines.  Kahakai literally means next to the sea - so this plant is the Naupaka that grows next to the sea. 
​
The leaves of the Naupaka Kahakai are thick and pulpy- almost like a succulent.  The Naupaka Kahakai flower only grows the bottom half of the flower - in the mountains is another variety (known as the Naupaka Kuahiwi in the Hawaiian Language) which grows the top half of the flower - if this sounds like the makings of a romantic legend to you - your instincts have led you the right way. 

In ancient times, a young man would bring his love a lei of Mountain Naupaka and she would greet him with a lei of the Naupaka Kahakai and thus, the lovers would be reunited and bless their union.  

One of the most iconic surf shops in Hawaii is located in Haleiwa on the North Shore of Oahu.  Surf n Sea has been serving the surfing community since 1965 - right at the dawn of the modern surfing era.  The shop's iconic yellow and brown building has been there since 1921 - making it one of the oldest commercial buildings on the North Shore. 

Located at 62-595 Kamehameha Hwy - it’s the first building on the ocean side of the road after you cross the bridge leaving Haleiwa Town heading towards Waimea Bay.  Surf and Sea is careful with their marketing, they don’t tell fibs - but you will be forgiven if you mistake the ‘Since 1921’ on the building to be in reference to the surf shop itself.  They don’t exactly go out of their way to give you the correct date.

​