Our story begins with the flavors of Hawaii
The beauty and wonder of Hawaii simply cannot be revealed in images and words alone. Because it is more than a destination. It’s a feeling, a way of life, a culture like none other—full of sights, sounds, scents and tastes found nowhere else in the world.
Hawaii's Plate Lunch
While many iconic foods have their place in Hawaii’s culinary identity, it’s the humble plate lunch that really embodies the aloha spirit. It’s the beloved comfort food you share with your ohana –the family you were born into and the family you’ve chosen. Young and old, rich and poor all come together over the plate lunch.
The 1880s
In the 1880s as Hawaii’s pineapple and sugar plantations grew, so too did their workforce. Laborers from across the world, including Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia, China, Korea, Thailand, the Philippines, Okinawa, Portugal, Mexico and Puerto Rico, immigrated to the islands and made it their home bringing with them their diverse culinary traditions.
Coming from different countries, these laborers rarely spoke the same languages. Food served as a bridge and a universal language as workers communed over their midday meal. It was through these multicultural relationships that some of Hawaii’s most unique traditions were created. The Portuguese arrived with the braguinha, which led to the creation of the ukulele. Vaqueros from Mexico brought the guitar that led to the creation of the slack key guitar genre.
For most of these workers, lunch consisted of leftovers from the previous evening –usually fish or meat supplemented with rice to make the meals more filling. As the workers from such different backgrounds came together, so too did their cuisine, bringing together a fusion of their traditional flavors with new ones from the island, particularly pineapple. In the 1880s, the plate lunch was born.
The 1950s
By the 1950s, the plate lunch had grown in popularity and was popping up at roadside stands all throughout the island offering locals a comforting and delicious meal.
Over the years, the plate lunch evolved with Western influences to include macaroni salad, rounding out the meal with rice and sweet and savory proteins.
Today
Today, the classic plate lunch consists of meat, two scoops of white rice and one scoop of macaroni salad.
The plate lunch remains an essential part of Hawaii’s homegrown culture. It’s the beloved comfort food you eat with your ‘ohana. Young and old, rich and poor all come together to enjoy in this island staple.
