The Incredible Festival That Celebrates One Of Hawaii’s Favorite Foods
In Hawaii, there is perhaps only one food that is more ingrained in the island culture than pineapple — and that food is Spam. This quintessential canned ham product manufactured in Minnesota was introduced to the islands during the 1940s and has become a wildly popular staple food across the islands. In fact, Hawaii residents eat more Spam per capita than any other state in America, and it has become such an important part of our culinary history that the canned meat is honored each year at the annual Waikiki Spam Jam. This year’s festivities will be held April 27, 2019, and we can’t wait.
In Hawaii, you’ll find Spam in all grocery and convenience stores, many restaurants, and in most homes. So, why not honor that love with an annual one-day celebration that shuts down an entire city street? Celebrating the islands’ love for this unique Hormel Foods product, this street festival is fun for the entire family.
With multiple stages featuring live entertainment and a variety of Hawaiian retailers and the islands’ top restaurants, as well as a special event that benefits the Hawaii Foodbank, there’s something for everyone at this one-of-a-kind festival.
Some of Honolulu’s finest restaurants will be serving up Spam in many different ways, allowing attendees to experience the enormous variety of its applications.
Don’t forget to stop by one of the two merchandise tents. Here, you will find a ton of Spam-themed items for sale, including t-shirts, shorts, slippers, and more. There will also be several Hawaiian craft booths set up on the street.
This annual cultural tradition has been recognized as one of the top annual food festivals in Hawaii and draws massive crowds, with an estimates 35,000 attendees last year.
The Waikiki Spam Jam will be held April 27, 2019, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Kalakaua Avenue in Honolulu, Hawaii. For more information, visit their website or follow them on Facebook. Have you ever been to this annual food festival? Share your experiences and opinions in the comments below, along with your feelings about Spam.
With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
