Why do Hawaiians eat so much spam?

Question

I mean I don't hate spam or anything its just that Hawaiians seem to love it...

Answer 1

Back in the 1930s or 40s, there was a meat shortage on the islands. The US military shipped in canned meat (SPAM) as rations during the shortage. As time passed the Hawaiin population fell in love with SPAM and it has now become a staple in the Hawaiian diet. If you go to McDonald's in Hawaii spam will be on the menu. It has been jokingly nicknamed "South Pacific Army Meat".

Answer 2

Hawaiians And Spam

Answer 3

As Honolulu gourmands gear up for an unusual street festival, there's just one question on their lips: Could anything possibly top last year's Spam Jam musubi—a giant version of the island snack that consists of a brick of rice, a slab of Spam, and a belt of black seaweed—at its record busting length of 313 feet?

The making of the gonzo musubi—which required more than 275 pounds of rice, 1,650 slices of Spam, and 600 feet of the dried seaweed called nori—kicked off last year's second annual Spam Jam, held along Waikiki's Kalakaua Avenue. And, yup, this year the wacky festival once again celebrates Spam, the luncheon meat everyone loves to ridicule. Everyone, that is, but Hawaiians. Fiftieth staters consume nearly 6 million cans a year, or almost six cans for every man, woman, and child. Some call the gelatinous pink pork "Hawaii's soul food."

Spam worked its way into the hearts—and arteries—of Hawaiians during World War II. Fresh meat was scarce at the time, so civilians loaded up on the brand-name C ration well known to GIs. Needing no refrigeration, the proletarian pork product soon became one of three items islanders stock up on (along with toilet paper and rice) during threats of hurricanes, tsunamis, or dockworkers' strikes.

More recently, McDonald's added Spam to its Hawaiian breakfast menu, while island chefs toy with it. Hawaii's Spam Cookbook lists recipes for Spam omelets, Spam and beans, and Spam with Japanese radish fermented in a syrupy sauce.

But it's Spam musubi, introduced in the 1980s, that reigns supreme in delis and 7-Elevens statewide and in Hawaiian eateries on the mainland. Foodies insist the Tamashiro Market in Honolulu serves the absolute best Spam musubi, its sticky rice flecked with furikake, a blend of seaweed, sesame, and other seasonings. It may not be 313 feet long, but, hey, it only costs $1.25. This year's Waikiki Spam Jam, held April 30, features live music, food, crafts, a Mr. or Ms. Spam contest, and hula performances. Information: [phone], www.waikikiimprovement.com.

Answer 4

Fiftieth staters consume nearly 6 million cans a year, or almost six cans for every man, woman, and child. Some call the gelatinous pink pork "Hawaii's soul food."

Spam worked its way into the hearts—and arteries—of Hawaiians during World War II. Fresh meat was scarce at the time, so civilians loaded up on the brand-name C ration well known to GIs. Needing no refrigeration, the proletarian pork product soon became one of three items islanders stock up on (along with toilet paper and rice) during threats of hurricanes, tsunamis, or dockworkers' strikes.

Answer 5

I've never even been to Hawaii and on occasion I eat Spam. I like to keep a can on hand for sandwiches when I am out of fresh deli meat. I like to brown it in a skillet. I don't have it often because of it's high fat content

Answer 6

Hawaiians aren't the only ones - on Guam, Spam is on the menu in a lot of the restaurants. I hear it makes good spackle!

Answer 7

I work with several spam loving Hawaii natives...and the love of spam comes out of the high cost of beef over there. They say it is expensive, so spam is the next best thing.

Answer 8

Wow. Except for my father, we were all born and raised in Waimanalo, Oahu. We ate a lot of poi. Spam, maybe every other month.

Answer 9

i think that there is so much you can do with spam add to mac and cheese fries it with eggs in the morning well Spam is very flexible.

Answer 10

Who Knows