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Start Here: Hawaiian Food 101

What is Hawaiian Food? A History of Hawaiʻi's Unique Cuisine

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What is Hawaiian food? That sounds like a simple question, but the answer is anything but simple. Years ago, we conducted an informal poll asking people what foods came to mind when they heard the words “Hawaiian food.” Pineapple was the most common answer. Kabobs came in second. I found that fascinating because neither is native to Hawaiʻi. Even the coconut, something almost inseparable from the popular image of tropical islands, was brought to Hawaiʻi by Polynesian voyagers. Pineapple is native to South America and was introduced to Hawaiʻi after Western contact. Francisco de Paula Marín recorded growing pineapple in Hawaiʻi in 1813. And the famous “Hawaiian pizza” isn't Hawaiian at all. The ham-and-pineapple combination is generally credited to Greek-born restaurateur Sam Panopoulos in Ontario, Canada, in 1962. So what exactly makes food Hawaiian? Part of the confusion comes from using “Hawaiian food” to describe several different things. Native Hawaiian cuisine, foods...
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Buzz said to go here

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I'd love to give everyone a private tour of the islands taking you to all the places I have to visit when I'm home visiting family. Obviously this isn't possible, but I will try to document where I go. I must advise you some of the places are holes in the wall that only locals would know about. These are exactly the type spots tourist miss out on. That's the point of this piece, is to provide suggestions of places you should visit to get a better feel for local grindz. I often hear how others visit Hawai'i and don't experience the food scene I serve or speak of. Which is okay if you're okay with that experience, but for those wanting to experience Hawai'i in the eyes of an adventure consider some of the places I'll discuss below. Check each location hours before heading there. You've warned! Hawaiian Time is no joke. Island of Oahu Oahu is where I lived soo I know this island better than the others. Town When you live in the country we refer...
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Huli Huli Chicken

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  Huli Huli Chicken is a Saturday morning tradition in Hawaii. Men's clubs around the islands set up shop in gas station parking lots, strip malls, and school parking lots. While you're out running weekend errands you'll see the smoke billowing ahead and know there is someone grilling Huli chickens. In my case, on Saturdays I was on my way to work driving along Kam Highway when I would be on the lookout for the smoke on the horizon. I'd stop and grab some Huli chicken for my work lunch. If I was lucky, there was a spot still open when I went home from work in the afternoon and I'd pick up another bird for dinner.   Huli Huli Chicken Saturdays are so popular the Barefoot Natives recorded a song known throughout the islands.  Click the link and sing along...It will make you want to get up and dance around the room.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66gqHe562Dw I n 1954,  Ernest Morgado   f ounded the Pacific Poultry Company. A  year later, using his mot...
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Becoming a Hawaiian Style Cafe

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In January 2022 Buzz's Hawaiian Grill took possession of 3457 Magnolia Ave. for the future Buzz's brick-n-mortar. For several years prior the space was a well loved hot dog joint that had decided to move to a new location. Buzz's had been looking for a space that shared our chill vibe and this space checked all the boxes. The challenge was, how to convert the space from ketchup red to an island style cafe with a plantation era look. A place people from Hawai'i could relate to.  The other challenge was to upgrade the kitchen from dysfunctional and partially operational, to a fully operational kitchen capable of handling the complex menu we envisioned offering. It was going to require time and money, but we had a vision we felt was achievable.     The Front End One of the main goals was to remove the barn style false ceiling in order to open the space up visually allowing more light in. After all, Hawaiian restaurants are often...
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8/08 is National Musubi Day

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The area code in Hawaii is 808, so it was only fitting for August 8th to become National Musubi Day.  Let's give credit where credit is due.   Inspired by  Hawai‘i's passionate SPAM® Musubi enthusiasts, in 2021, the L&L  franchises   (a local restaurant chain) recognized the need to honor this flavorful hand-held snack with its own special day. In an effort to do our part in sharing Hawaiian culture we celebrate 8/08 each year at Buzz's as well. The origin of Musubi is in question, but I consider  Barbara Funamura  of Kauai as the person who created this yummy treat. One thing that's 100% certain is that Musubi were created in Hawai'i. It's not Japanese, although it is similar to a Maki sushi roll, and based on Barbara's last name I'd guess Barbara is of Japanese descent, or her husband may be. In Korea similar food is referred to as Kimbop. Spam Musubi are commonly found at the cash registers in  convenience stores , or snack food ...
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Location: 3457 Magnolia Ave, St. Louis, MO 63118, USA
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Memorial Day

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  Happy Memorial Day St. Louis!! Memorial day marks the beginning of summer when the pools open, family vacations are on the horizon, and outdoor BBQ season is in full force. In St. Louis, it's a day when we break free of the constraints of winter and really begin to live outdoors. But, hold on a second. What is Memorial Day actually about?  It's about honoring, or remembering, the 100's of thousands of men and women who have given their life during war. Unlike Veteran's day that honors all people who have served in the military whether they faced death or not (like myself), Memorial day is to honor those who literally gave their life in defense of our nation. This is a big deal. Other people, we do not know, gave their lives so we are free to splash in our pools, grill our hotdogs, and play in complete peace that we are a free nation without threat to our lives. This people gave their lives for us. Another aspect of this conversation is who were, and are, these people?...
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Location: Nuuanu - Punchbowl, Honolulu, HI, USA
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Language of the Hawaiian Islands

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Life in Hawaii may seem like a foreign country at times with the vast number of languages spoken in the islands. Foreign languages aside, such as Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Okinawan, Portuguese and Spanish, the two primary languages of Hawai'i are the native language referred to as ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi , and Hawaii Creole English, (HCE) known as pidgin.  ʻ Ōlelo Hawaiʻi is still practiced by many, and particular words or phrases are used by all. Streets and towns are named using the  ʻ Ōlelo Hawaiʻi Hawaiian language and spelling. The Hawaiian ʻ Ōlelo Hawaiʻi language consists of 12 letters, A, E, H, I, K, L, M, N, O, P, O and W. Five are vowels and seven are consonants. This accounts for why there are towns such as Ka'a'awa that may prompt a chuckle, or two, by people not familiar with the language and proper spelling, but once you learn about the language the more it makes perfect since.  The symbols between the As in Ka'a'awa are called an O...
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Location: St. Louis, MO 63118, USA
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Food Trucks in Hawaii

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Food truck popularity has been sweeping the country with most mentions discussing the New York or California markets. Now that I am in the food truck biz myself, it's ironic to think back to my own experience in the early 80s on Oahu where it wasn't uncommon to find Leonard's iconic red and white striped truck selling hot malasadas on the North Shore. It made perfect sense to bring the islands favorite donuts to the famous waves of the north shore so locals living miles away from Leonard's brick and mortar bakery would be able to enjoy them hot and fresh. The original Leonard's Bakery is located in Honolulu on Kapahulu Ave. not far from the Honolulu Zoo. Founded in 1952, Leonard is credited with bringing the Portuguese treat to the islands. One of my favorite things to do is to pick up a pink box of fresh hot malasadas and take them down the street to Queen's Beach to gobble them down with a carton of milk, also purchased at Leonard's. If you're ...
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