Brittany Kennedy has lived on the Big Island of Hawaii for most of her life, which means she's spent most of her life eating sushi!

If you didn't grow up eating sushi, you may be confused when looking at a sushi roll menu if the restaurant chooses to leave out the descriptions. This guide will break down some common sushi terms and recipes so you can know what to order when visiting a sushi bar or restaurant.

Did You Know?

Feel free to eat your sushi rolls or nigiri with your hands! This is, in fact, how many in Japan eat their sushi. When eating nigiri, it's also recommended to turn the roll upside-down to dip in soy sauce to avoid absorbing too much into the rice.

5 Main Types of Sushi

Here's a brief run-down on what's what. For pictures and more information about each type, you can scroll to the sections below.

What's the Difference Between Sushi, Sashimi, and Nigiri?

Sashimi is just the meat, served without other ingredients. Sushi also uses rice and other ingredients, such as vegetables, which are all rolled up in a sheet or nori (seaweed) and sliced into pieces.

You'll either see it as maki (which means roll), where the seaweed is on the outside, uramaki, where the seaweed is on the inside and rice is on the outside, or temaki, a cone-shaped piece of sushi that's rolled by hand.

Nigiri is the dish that's halfway in between. Nigiri is sashimi that's served on a molded rectangle of rice.

Lastly, while most sashimi is raw fish, some sashimi is not raw and some sashimi is not fish. For example, unagi is cooked freshwater eel, and sashimi also encompasses other types of seafood, which you will see below.

Types of Sashimi

Sashimi is to sushi as a fillet is to a taco. Any sashimi meat can be made into a sushi roll. And any chef can get creative and create specialty sushi rolls by combining multiple meats and vegetables. However, there are a few specialty sushi rolls that can be found at most restaurants, though the exact preparation can differ significantly.

Types of Popular Sushi Rolls

There are also vegetarian sushi ingredients that have the added bonus of being on the cheaper side. These include:

• Egg (tamago)
• Cucumber (kappa)
• Avocado

Common Sides and Condiments

Before we begin, you must know what to eat with sushi. I usually start my meal with miso soup and possibly some tempura—fried vegetables in a crunchy batter.

With your sushi, you will probably get wasabi (green paste made from Japanese horseradish) and ginger (pink pickled slices).

The Japanese use ginger to clear their palettes between courses. The wasabi should be mixed with shoyu (soy sauce) as a dipping sauce for your sushi.

The sushi roll you get might have brightly colored orange spheres or tiny black spheres on it—these are both roe, which are fish eggs.

• Tobiko is the roe of flying fish and is usually a bright orange, though it can be colored to be black or even green.
• Masago is the roe of capelin—this is also usually orange-colored unless it is dyed.

Meet Some Common Sushi Fillings

All of these pictures are of the fillings in nigiri form (on a bed of rice).

Sashimi is raw fish. When placed on rice (sometimes with nori, or sheets of seaweed), it is sushi. The following raw toppings can be found on sushi menus:

Ahi (tuna)

Ebi (shrimp)

Sake (salmon)

Unagi/anago (eel—unagi refers to freshwater and anago to saltwater)

Hamachi (yellow tail)

Ika (squid)

Kani (crab meat — artificial crab meat is pictured)

Hotate (scallop)

Tako (octopus)

Uni (sea urchin)

Sushi Japanese Cuisine Vocabulary Quiz

For each question, choose the best answer. The answer key is below.

1. What is octopus in Japanese?
   • Unagi
   • Tako
   • Sashimi
2. What is Kani?
   • Crab
   • Tuna
   • Squid
3. What is "squid" in Japanese?
   • Hotate
   • Uni
   • Ika
4. What is Ikura?
   • Salmon
   • Tuna
   • Sea Urchin
5. What is Ebi?
   • Tuna
   • Shrimp
   • Scallop

Answer Key

1. Tako
2. Crab
3. Ika
4. Salmon
5. Shrimp

Sushi Rolls

Spicy Tuna Roll

Ahi (tuna) rolls usually have a dark pink layer of raw tuna in them.

However, spicy tuna (or spicy ahi) usually includes diced or shredded tuna with hot peppers. The spicy sauce that sushi chefs use is usually orange and is about as hot as a banana pepper or sandwich jalapeño.

Tempura Roll

Tempura is a Japanese style of deep frying that uses a light batter. Tempura rolls can be made in two ways.

As shown in the photo above, one way to make this crunchy delight is to make the entire roll tempura. In the photo above, the chef created sashimi rolls, covered it in tempura batter, and deep-fried the whole thing.

Tempura Style #2

Another way to make this crunchy delight is to prepare the contents tempura. For those rolls, shrimp tempura or some other kind of vegetable tempura is put inside the nori (seaweed paper).

Unagi Sushi

Unagi is a saltwater eel. Sushi usually uses a grilled slab of unagi coated or marinated in either oyster sauce, teriyaki sauce, or some other sweet-and-salty glaze. Unagi tastes like tender steak.

California Roll

A California roll is usually made with crab and avocado. If you purchase a California roll in a supermarket, you may get one with mayonnaise in it. In the California roll above, there is crab, ahi (tuna), and avocado. Sometimes it will be served with a slab of ahi on top.

Inari

Inari is breaded-rice sushi. The bread is thin and sweet and sometimes filled with vegetables such as carrot strips or cucumber.

Rainbow Roll

A rainbow roll is a sushi roll topped with many different types of sashimi.

The sushi roll underneath the sashimi is usually a California roll (avocado and crab).

To make this type of sushi, the chef prepares a California roll and adds the toppings afterwards.

Dragon Roll

Dragon rolls are usually unique to the chef, and many get creative with the appearance of the dragon roll—some making them look like dragons. So there is some variation as to the ingredients chosen by different chefs, but dragon rolls are usually filled with eel and cucumber and topped with thinly-sliced avocado, producing a scale effect.

Philly Roll

The Philly roll is a popular kind of sushi that you will find on many menus around the country. It usually has salmon, cream cheese, and cucumber, though it might come with other ingredients like avocado, onion, and sesame seed. It's named the Philly roll because of Philadelphia Cream Cheese, not because it's from Philadelphia.

Temaki With Crab

This is an example of a cone-shaped hand roll, which is called temaki. This one has crab in it—you can tell it's real crab because it's stringy. Imitation crab usually comes in stick form and is not stringy.

Spider Roll

The spider roll has soft-shell crab tempura, cucumber, avocado, and spicy mayo on it. Sometimes the chef will construct it so it looks like it has spider legs coming out of the sides.

Vegetarian Roll

There's even something for people who don't eat fish at a sushi restaurant! Many places offer a veggie roll, which will—no surprise here—contain different kinds of vegetables like cucumber or avocado.

Volcano Roll

The contents of volcano rolls tends to vary, but the one thing they have in common is that there is usually some kind of topping on the rolls that makes it look like the sushi is exploding—hence the term "volcano roll."

Other Common Words on Sushi Menus

Comments

Mahdia on August 17, 2020:

Wow that was very usefull

Haruo (Leland) on August 14, 2020:

One fairly common term I don't see here is gunkan, a rice base with a seaweed wall around it and topping on the rice rather than filling inside as in a maki. I would count it as one of the six basic forms. Also inari might merit a place at that level, gomoku inari is a vegan favorite of mine.

AL on June 30, 2020:

Helpful, but not ease to memorize them all

Foster.Zoey on May 18, 2020:

9429 Tyrone Pl

@Clo Clo on March 29, 2020:

I think there are 124 types of sushi, meats, rolls, and words related to sushi if I counted right

Mike Hawk on March 07, 2020:

This is completely wrong totally offensive to my gender aka Apache attack helicopters

Naomi Sicuso Gonzalez on March 02, 2020:

I do not like

CloClo on March 02, 2020:

Wow helpful!

Clo Clo on March 01, 2020:

I didn’t expect that much sushi but can you also tell us how many types of sushi are there?

n_n_09 on February 03, 2020:

Don't expect to find those crazy, OTT rolls in Japan, because they don't exist there. They're purely an American/westernized version of sushi. Most Japanese people find them weird and gross.

Bhuwan bahadur sunar on December 20, 2019:

I love japanese food

Emmua on November 04, 2019:

Sushi is my favorite food I go to sushi restaurants all the time you did a great job on this website by the way.

Tanker on October 29, 2019:

It needs to include the Godzilla

Callum on October 16, 2019:

I like sushi

Stella I on August 16, 2019:

I'm willing to try sushi you've got my attention and man am I hungry

Darktanker on August 12, 2019:

Show more types of sushi

Hamwar Ali on July 07, 2019:

it looks very delicious but we people of middle east don't eat sea food that much :(

hey on June 18, 2019:

I think it's important to realize this isn't info to be used when ordering sushi when actually in Japan. Much like "Chinese" food. Most Sushi chains in the US/Canada are Americanized and adjusted to better mesh with an American/British pallet. THIS guide is specifically for understanding Americanized sushi. It's absolutely helpful if you want to try out sushi in the west. But don't mistake it for a guide for sushi in Japan.

Olga on June 08, 2019:

It’s very good to learn. Thank you!

yeet on May 31, 2019:

apple bees is better

stag on March 02, 2019:

this is good to learn about sushi and different kinds

baba on February 26, 2019:

Japanese don't eat that much avocado

mimi on February 10, 2019:

nice...

the best and healthier food and good taste

Christina on January 14, 2019:

Yummm, I love sushi! It is very delicious! :D

Stela on November 25, 2018:

ooh, very helpful!! i didnt know there'd be so many kinds of sushi!

jeff on November 01, 2018:

i also thought wasabi was avocado because my dad said it was

Koko on September 04, 2018:

I don't know if anyone else caught this, because I saw a lot of people pointing out issues, but Inari (Inarizushi) is not 'breaded rice' at all

It's sushi rice is stuffed in seasoned aburaage tofu pouches.

I knot his is a place where people want to get good information, so I hope this helps

Caroline Filomeno on September 02, 2018:

tofu is a sponge made out of soy beans. This definitely a real 101

Dave Christian on August 18, 2018:

I rove to eat them sushi’s

Mirrin on August 17, 2018:

Thanks

Kayla on August 14, 2018:

What is tofo is please

Chhiring lama on July 26, 2018:

It's a helpful thaks

Padma kumara on June 28, 2018:

Awasome information ..i learning shushi..and i get more information ...thanks

Dhruv on June 13, 2018:

Doing a progect for school now...have to design a resturant. Found this to be very helpful and informative :) 5 stars!! * * * * *

Scott on June 10, 2018:

Tons of mistakes

Unknown on May 19, 2018:

I am hungry now..... aaaaaw delicious sushi,,..ssoooooooooooo gooooooooood

April on April 07, 2018:

Very helpful and informative! Bravo!!!!

Lumi Martin on March 27, 2018:

Superbly written and illustrated, very informative and comprehensive. Your feature helps a sushi novice like me get a clearer picture of the Japanese cuisine. Thank you for putting together such a great piece of work.

Akira Fudo on March 01, 2018:

Sashimi is not a type of sushi, sashimi is sashimi, sushi is sushi.

Other than that, you forgot hosomaki.

Sushi_eater_1000 on February 08, 2018:

GOod info for essays and presentations. Like the lists of types of sushi and shashimi.

Yohana on December 27, 2017:

Great information!

just a piece of feedback, only westerners put wasabi inside the soy sauce, traditional Japanese customs advise to NEVER mix the wasabi with the soy sauce.

SUSHIPERSONZ on November 20, 2017:

THIS BE GOOD SUSHI!!!!!!!

Kathie on November 10, 2017:

This is the most informative article I've ever read! I now feel I can go to a sushi restaurant and know what to order rather than have my daughter do it for me! Thank you for making every imaginable item so clear.

Anon on November 06, 2017:

This was great! Going to have dinner with my friends and this just gave me everything I needed to pick what I would like to eat.

MattYs on October 21, 2017:

Tempura - Japanese breaded frying preparation

Really? Breaded?...

Chris on July 06, 2017:

i work at a sushi restaurant, and this page gave me exactly what i need to make better recommendations to my customers

Annie on June 29, 2017:

Last month I was on Europe trip with my sis and our friends. In Warsaw (Poland) we tried a sushi in Sakana (Moliera street? This one who wrote La Tartuffe) and it was so amazing! I eat sushi a lot, but this one has had an amazing taste of Japan!

nejonbikram@gmail.com on May 23, 2017:

its a helpful.thanx

Shanice on May 19, 2017:

Wow! this is fantastic. Thanks!

debbie on May 19, 2017:

what is the rice shaped crunchy garnish used in some sushi, it looks similar to freeze dried rice?

Ema Fernandes on March 28, 2017:

My favorite dish.... for me all Sundays are Sushi day...

Jamie Goodwin on February 24, 2017:

Katsuo is Skipjack Tuna, Bonito is often used as a substitute, but is not the same fish. Just noticed it on your list, and thought I would point it out. They share the same Subfamily, but they are different species of fish. Wonderful post though.

Christine Nguyen on February 05, 2017:

When was this made ?

Mayt on January 13, 2017:

Excellence post!

Decstar on June 29, 2016:

Visuable and can correlate own visualization of an idea from the above publication. Photos are vividly clear (It can help a new chef see the end result), explanation on each dish was short and meaning was derived.

Suggestion to expand on regions and cultures what sushi do they prefer.

Relaxing read!!! Thanx

Lori on June 05, 2016:

This was helpful for because i want eat sushi but didnt know what eat. Thanks

Bianca McGill on February 22, 2015:

Mmmmm I love sushi, my first time eating it I thought wasabi was guacamole lol so I did a big dip of that And my mouth was on fire My nose lol was burning

ms. lady on October 14, 2014:

love sushi!!! very hungry now

sushilover101 on October 07, 2014:

this helped alot with my homework

HungryGal on September 26, 2014:

I have always liked sushi, but lately I have been craving it. These beautiful pictures have only made me hungry for more!

Great write up, I learned a lot reading this. I can't wait to try a dragon roll! Thank you.

vibesites from United States on November 08, 2013:

I'm not a fan of raw seafood, but my musician friend loves it (in fact she has written songs about sushi and sashimi). Perhaps I'll start with unagi sushi since the eel is cooked. I love the plating, as the Japanese are so good in it. :)

cardelean from Michigan on May 12, 2012:

I think that the tempura rolls are my favorite. This is a great guide, especially for those who have never tried sushi.

Robin Edmondson from San Francisco on May 10, 2012:

One of my favorite foods! The spicy tuna rolls are my absolute favorite - with lots of ginger and wasabi! Yumm! I appreciate the breakdown of all of the different types of sushi; I know that I'm always looking them up. ;)

Guitarforlife from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on May 07, 2012:

Your hub is making me hungry. I could use some sushi right about now.

Anna from New York, NY on May 07, 2012:

I grew up eating Japanese food but still learned so much from your hub. For instance, I didn't know soy sauce is called "shoyu". Your photos are amazing and just made me really hungry! Thanks for a great hub.

Brittany Kennedy (author) from Kailua-Kona, Hawaii on May 06, 2012:

Thank you, Teresa! Sushi is intimidating to a lot of people because of the raw fish, but there is a different kind for everyone. Thanks again!

Teresa Coppens from Ontario, Canada on May 06, 2012:

I've always wondered what the 'sushi' rolls were made of besides raw fish. I'm quite sure you have not converted me to eating sushi, but I did love your colourful hub which for me was quite enlightening. I learned a lot! Voted up!

Brittany has lived on the Big Island of Hawaii for most of her life and enjoys writing meaningful content that is helpful to others.

Hawaii is a unique place with a ton of different food options. If you are planning on visiting the Big Island, make sure to stop by one of these exquisite local favorites. This list is in no particular order; it's just a collection of my favorite places to eat. Scroll to the bottom of this article to see the map and find out which place is closest to your hotel. From pancakes to loco mocos, you will find this list of restaurants helpful when planning your trip.

Great Places to Eat and Drink on the Big Island

• Kona Brewing Co.
• Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill
• Ken's House of Pancakes
• Roy's
• Hawaiian Style Cafe
• Big Island Grill

Kona Brewing Co.

• Hours: Sunday-Thursday 11am-10pm; Friday-Saturday 11am-11pm
• Phone: 808-334-2739

You may recognize the name of this restaurant because of their popular beers, but there is much more to it when you sit down in the cozy Kona Brewery. They serve a variety of dishes, including local favorites and pizzas that are original to the restaurant. Sit back under the palm trees while you munch on some delicious sandwiches and sip on Wailua Wheat beer. They also take orders for pick up, so you can bring home some liquid aloha.

Visit their website to learn more.

Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill

• Phone: 808-327-0209

Jackie Rey's is one of my all-time favorite restaurants in Kona. It has a vintage atmosphere that contrasts with their modern menu. They have daily specials that are usually seafood dishes, including the macadamia nut–crusted mahi mahi and delicious ono.

My absolute favorite dish on the Big Island is the short ribs from Jackie Rey's. They are so tender, they melt in your mouth. Just the thought of that entrée makes my mouth water. Drive down Kuakini Highway until you see an old beach house with an antique car (longboard attached), and you'll know you found it.

For more information and other menu highlights, read some of these reviews of Jackie Rey's.

Ken's House of Pancakes

• Hours: Open 24 hours
• Phone: 808-935-8711

As you pass Hilo Bay and drive toward the town, you may notice a quaint little pancake house. You will not want to drive any further when you smell the delicious food coming from Ken's. The place is known for being the only thing open 24 hours and also for its celebrity connection.

Ken's was built in 1971 and has been the home of the Best Breakfast for 14 years. The owner is the uncle to Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, and there is a signed photo of him in the diner. This place has some ono grindz. Don't miss out on having the best breakfast at Ken's.

Roy's

• Phone: 808-886-4321

This waterfront restaurant is the place for people who appreciate fine dining. They serve some of the best seafood dishes on the island including my personal favorite, the mahi mahi.

The dining room is clean and elegant. Although it's kid-friendly, it is a quiet restaurant that is more formal than a lot of other Big Island food places. Overall, Roy's is the best place for an upscale night or a romantic evening.

For more information, check out these reviews of the establishment.

Hawaiian Style Cafe

• Hours: Monday-Sunday 7:30am-1:30pm
• Phone: 808-885-4295

Hawaiian Style is a local favorite because of it's unique dishes, including katsu loco mocos and spam breakfasts. This small cafe is always crowded, and you'll be lucky if you get a seat at the bar, but despite the popularity, this cafe is one of the best on the island.

My friends and I would go here and challenge each other to see if we could clean our plates, but more times than not, nobody could. They give generous portions that are great for taking home leftovers. You will enjoy this little cafe in Waimea and all of the wonderful dishes it has to offer.

For more info check out Hawaiian Style Cafe's Yelp page.

Big Island Grill

• Hours: Monday-Saturday 6am to 9pm
• Phone: 808-326-1153

Big Island Grill is located in Kailua-Kona. The outside of the restaurant may not convince you to eat there, but if you order the short ribs, you will thank me. BIG has some of the most delicious food on the westside. They serve local favorites including teriyaki beef, loco mocos, and kalua pork, but they also serve steak for those of you who are a little picky.

For more information, visit their Yelp page.

Your Map

More About the Big Island

• Best Food on the Big Island of Hawaii
  Hawaii is a unique place with a ton of different food options. If you are planning on visiting the Big Island, make sure to stop by one of these exquisite local favorites. This list in in no particular order; they are just a collection of my favorite
• Best Beaches on the Big Island of Hawaii
  This article will help you find the best place to snorkel, surf, play volleyball or build a sandcastle on your vacation in Hawaii as well as help you get there with maps. Enjoy your vacation to one of the most beautiful places on Earth.
• Where and How to Camp on the Big Island of Hawaii: P...
  The Big Island of Hawaii has many locations where you can camp. This page tells you about the best places to camp and also what you need to bring, what amenities are there, and how to obtain permits. Whether you want to camp on a beach or close to th
• Best Hotels and Resorts on the Big Island of Hawaii
  This guide will help you to choose the best hotel for your trip to the Big Island depending on what you will be doing in Hawaii. From Kona, to Waikoloa, to Hilo, this guide will help you find a temporary home on the island.

Comments

Claudia on May 11, 2019:

Hi any good place you would recommend to eat fresh salad in Big Island? Thank you

Brittany Kennedy (author) from Kailua-Kona, Hawaii on January 28, 2012:

You're welcome! Have a great trip and make sure you go to Waipio Valley!

shannon on January 28, 2012:

Coming to Big Island in June and can't wait to try them out...thanks!

Brittany Kennedy (author) from Kailua-Kona, Hawaii on December 02, 2011:

Derdrie,

Thank you so much. I hope this hub comes in handy for hungry tourists that need to know the best places to eat. I'm happy to hear that the format was readable. Mahalo nui loa.

Derdriu on December 02, 2011:

Brittany: What an attractive, logical, thorough introduction to the best eats on the Big Island! It is so helpful that you give the hours, information and locations of all of your recommendations. You seamlessly blend a multi-media presentation of clear details, illustrative photos, and practical videos.

Thank you for sharing your experience and expertise, voted up, etc.,

Derdriu

Brittany Kennedy (author) from Kailua-Kona, Hawaii on November 21, 2011:

Thank you, Simone. Hopefully you will get to try them someday.

Simone Haruko Smith from San Francisco on November 21, 2011:

WOW! What a FANTASTIC collection of recommendations! I'll be sending this to all friends to head out that way on vacation. Argh! So many fun places to eat!

Brittany Kennedy (author) from Kailua-Kona, Hawaii on November 19, 2011:

Thank you, HSB! Keep dreaming and maybe one day you'll be able to visit our beautiful island.

Cindy Murdoch from Texas on November 19, 2011:

brittanytodd - good start to the 30 in 30. I have never been to Hawaii, but I can always dream. And when I dreamed about it in the past, I had never considered the food angle. You have helped my dreams to expand!

Brittany Kennedy (author) from Kailua-Kona, Hawaii on November 18, 2011:

Here, I found this hub on how to legally cite them: https://hubpageshelp.com/content/Learning-Center-l

Brittany Kennedy (author) from Kailua-Kona, Hawaii on November 18, 2011:

I love Roy's! Thank you for voting. I don't know of any hubs about that (maybe I should make one). I just go to this site for images: http://search.creativecommons.org/, but I also use the Flickr Commons site. Here is an example of a search: http://www.flickr.com/search/?l=cc&q=hawaii Click on the photo you like and then when the page comes up, right click on the photo. Select "Medium 500" and it will take you to the photo page where you can right click and save to your computer. Make sure that you site them properly (as I did above) with the name of the photographer, comma, creative commons license code (you can find this by clicking on "some rights reserved"), comma, "via Flickr". Then paste the URL of the image in the URL box of the photo capsule.

I hope this helps! Thank you again for reading/commenting.

The Evolista from Los Angeles on November 18, 2011:

Wow! Everything looks delicious! You've got my vote. We just ate at Roy's in Woodland Hills last night and it was fantastic. I love the photos that you chose. Is there a good hub that you know of that details the ins and outs of using photos that you don't own or using Flickr?

Brittany Kennedy (author) from Kailua-Kona, Hawaii on November 18, 2011:

Agreed! I thought that locals would appreciate this hub too. Thanks for voting up! I wish I was home so I could have a Tex malasada.

hush4444 from Hawaii on November 18, 2011:

Ooooh, the malasadas at Tex's are incredible! They're like the Krispy Kreme of Hawaii. The Brew Pub has the most delicious pizzas and an amazing variety of beer. Of course, Jackie Rey's a hidden gem - great food and a warm and generous staff and owners. Voted way up and thank you!

Brittany has lived on the Big Island of Hawaii for most of her life. She has a BA in Sociology/English and Comp Lit from Occidental College.

What Is Hawaiian Cuisine?

Hawaiian food is difficult to define. Food that is currently advertised as “Hawaiian food” in the continental United States is very different from what Native Hawaiians ate.

Ancient Hawaiians had a very healthy diet; it is said to be one of the healthiest in the world. In contemporary Hawaiian culture, however, most people do not limit themselves to what Native Hawaiians ate; rather, they embellish the traditional Hawaiian diet with foods of other cultures.

Because Hawaii is the most ethnically amalgamated state in the nation (Kasindorf 2007:1), the types of food consumed there are a mix of many different cultures of the people who call Hawaii home. In parts of the United States, this cuisine is known as “Hawaiian food” or “Hawaiian barbeque”; in Hawaii, however, residents refer to it as “local food.”

"Local food" is generally unhealthy and has caused obesity rates in Hawaii to increase. Through extensive research on Hawaiian culture, food, assimilation, and historical events, this article analyzes both the benefits of Hawaii’s ethnic amalgamation and the unfortunate effects of unhealthy, popular foods in Hawaii.

Native Hawaiian Diet

The ancient Hawaiian diet is said to be one of the healthiest diets in the world (Ann Cecil 2002:1). Ancient Hawaiians' main diet consisted of poi (which comes from the taro root), fish, birds, breadfruit, pigs, yams, shellfish, and seaweed. The women were the hunters and gatherers and the men were the cooks. Both tasks required hard, physical labor; their diet satisfied their needs for carbohydrates, starch, and protein.

Ancient Hawaiians and Exercise

“The ancient Hawaiians were fit. The traditional Hawaiian diet may have been ‘one of the best in the world’. It was a simple, high starch, high fiber, low saturated fat, low sodium and low cholesterol diet. It had 12 percent protein, 18 percent fat and 70 percent carbohydrates. By comparison, the typical American diet today has 15 percent protein, 40 percent fat and 45 percent carbohydrates” (Kanahele 1998).

With the amount of exercise they were getting, Native Hawaiians were healthy and strong. Many Hawaiian legends boast about the strength of the warriors; King Kamehameha I was crowned because he was able to lift a 700-pound boulder over his head.

Diet and Social Status

Although their main diet was healthy, higher-status individuals were allowed to eat more fatty foods: “In Hawaii, ‘the feast was co-opted as a virtual prerogative of the ruling class, less an instrument of power than a pervasive, daily reminder of the immense gulf of social distinctions that separated the ali’i [chiefs] from maka’ainana [commoners]’” (Kirch and O’Day 2003:485). Although certain members of the group ate different foods, they continued the tradition of eating together. Hawaiians ate a single, large meal during the day, which was in the early afternoon. (They ate smaller meals at other times, but these were not thought of as a meal because they were rarely shared with company.)

The Hawaiian Lu'au

The ancient Hawaiian’s major meal of the day was a lu’au. A lu’au is a feast and celebration where the food is laid out for everyone to share. The ali’i would get a special meal, which was brought to them by lower-status people:

“Due to their socially superior position and ability to control resources, elites had more options for their diet. They were able to select certain foods and demand specific items as tribute without fear of dietary deficiency. Commoners had a more limited consumption of luxury, fatty foods” (Kirch and O’Day 2003:490).

In contemporary American society, it seems that members of lower classes have limited access to healthy foods; in ancient Hawaii, the situation was the opposite.

Immigration and History

The many immigrants that came to Hawaii brought their tastes for certain foods with them. Japanese and Chinese immigrants traveled to Hawaii and worked on the sugarcane plantations. Laudan (1996) writes: “The Chinese, the first immigrants to work on the plantations, demanded rice instead of poi, the Hawaiian staple. At first, their rice had to be imported, but as the Hawaiian population declined, so did the demand for the taro from which poi was made” (31). Hawaiian staples changed as immigrants traveled to Hawaii. Because foreigners’ tastes had to be adjusted to what was available in Hawaii, food was shared, mixed, and imported as Masuoka (1945) explains in his essay.

Japanese Immigrants

Masuoka (1945) conducted a study that analyzed the eating habits of 100 Japanese families living in Hawaii in the early 1940s. In his results, he concludes that the Japanese immigrant in Hawaii tends to eat differently from traditional Hawaiian and traditional Japanese individuals. He discovered that the families of Japanese immigrants who traveled to Hawaii and worked on sugarcane plantations acquired a taste for sweeter foods. Sweet foods were considered a luxury in Japan—whereas sugar was a key staple in Hawaii at this time; Hawaiian food is known worldwide for its sweetness.

Native Resistance to Newcomers

When immigrants first came to Hawaii, Native elders were not ready to give up or share their culture with the newcomers:

“Native leaders saw their people faced by loss of autonomy and of territory, looked back with poignant memory to the good old days, resented the confidently domineering ways of the newcomers who were thwarting their activities at so many points, could foresee no future other than displacement and destruction of their race” (Keesing 1934:449).

Blending and Assimilation

As the youth began to mix with immigrants from the East, modern Hawaiian culture began to form. Their ability to assimilate came from a collective identity. Hawaiians believe that they are part of the Orient and share a feeling of “the other.” This is because they too were looked down on by Western cultures:

“Being an immigrant, or belonging to an ethnic minority, often means belonging to a category of disadvantage in today’s Western multiethnic societies. This disadvantage is not based upon a particular ethnicity, but could rather be understood in terms of being defined as the Other—something that affects certain ethnicities more than others” (Hallden, Grand and Hellgren 2008:4).

"Hawaii's Foods Are a Mélange"

The assimilation of Eastern cultures immigrating to Hawaii caused the local cuisine to change and mix:

“Today, then, Hawaii’s foods are a mélange, imperfectly adjusted to the soil and climate of the Islands, imperfectly adjusted along themselves. In this lies their interest. For all the nostalgia for foods rooted in one place, for all the loving stories of peasants around the Mediterranean eating the products of the lands they till, the reality is what each one of us eats . . . is the result of centuries of change” (Laudan 1996:6).

This change is obvious when we look at what is considered Hawaiian cuisine in current society. Many cultures came to assimilate in Hawaii and the culture was affected dramatically.

Language, Ethnicity, and Pidgin English

In order to understand others, residents of Hawaii created their own language: pidgin English (which is commonly referred to as “broken English”). For example, “'manapua' is the pidgin word for 'dim sum.' It purportedly comes from a contraction of three Hawaiian words: 'mea,' which means 'thing'; 'ono,' which means 'delicious'; and 'pua’a,' which means 'pig.' So a manapua is a 'delicious pig thing'” (Scanlan 2009:1).

Like our food, our culture is mixed and influenced by immigration. Because Hawaiian was not a written language, it was difficult for foreigners to learn; they shorten sentences and mix them with Hawaiian, Pilipino, Japanese and Portuguese words. This language still exists in Hawaii today and it is what defines our ethnically amalgamated culture:

“Pacific Islanders historically have constructed their ethnic identities rather more complexly than many other peoples. Pacific Islanders have long had a greater consciousness than other American groups of being mixed peoples, of having multiple ethnic identities….They seem more comfortable than other Americans with holding in tension two or more ethnic identities, with being deeply more involved in more than one at the same time” (Spickard and Fong 1995:1368).

Because of the many cultures that traveled to Hawaii, it became a place of ethnic acceptance, where culture mixed. The local cuisine changed as more immigrants traveled to Hawaii.

"Local" Food

After centuries of immigration, many Hawaiian residents label themselves as multiethnic or multiracial. In a 2005 census survey, 21 percent of Hawaii’s population listed themselves as belonging to more than one race.

In Hawaii, there is a word for multiracial people: hapa (this term literally means “mixed”). Linda Lingle, governor of Hawaii from 2002–10, says Hawaii is “a model for the world” (Kasindorf 2007:1), where culture is celebrated and mixed; Hawaii is America’s true melting pot. Lingle also notes that every one in two marriages crosses racial lines; this is more than any other place in the United States (Sullivan 2005:1). Hawaiian culture has blended with others and so has our food.

The popular restaurant chain L&L advertises itself as “Hawaiian BBQ” in the continental United States. Their menu consists of mainly plate lunches, which include rice, macaroni salad, and an entrée (including fish, chicken, beef, pork, or spam) in a Styrofoam box. In Hawaii, L&L advertises that they serve “Korean BBQ.” Although the menus are identical, the food is tied to a different culture. Hawaiian food is now known as a combination of many Asian dishes.

Residents of Hawaii call this type of cuisine “local food.” Popular local foods include musubi (spam wrapped in rice and seaweed), macaroni salad, kimchee, long rice, and saimin (Japanese noodle soup).

Hawaiian Fast Food

Fast food restaurants such as McDonald's and Burger King began to incorporate popular local food into their menus. McDonald's has breakfast menus, which offer Portuguese sausage and spam. At Mcdonald's in China, they are currently testing and marketing their “Hawaiian Burger.” This item is a hamburger patty with teriyaki sauce, lettuce, tomato, and a slice of pineapple on a sesame seed bun. What defines this burger as “Hawaiian” is not only the pineapple slice, which was eaten by Natives, but also the teriyaki flavor, which is from Japanese cuisine.

McDonald's also makes special advertisements for Hawaiian consumers. They often have an Asian male rapping about fast food. These commercials suggest that they are attempting to appeal to the large, Asian community in Hawaii. McDonald’s’ newest additions to the menu are pineapple pie and the sweet taro pie. These items are popular in Hawaii because they appeal to the types of foods Hawaiians are used to eating.

Although these foods are delicious, they affect the health and well-being of Hawaiian residents immensely. It seems that the fatty and luxurious foods which were reserved for the higher class in ancient Hawaiian society are now available to the public, causing an obesity epidemic.

Obesity in Hawaii

Because of the availability of fatty foods, an obesity epidemic has erupted in Hawaii. Among people living in Hawaii, 17.6 percent are obese. This number is substantial; decades before, Hawaii’s obesity rates were low compared to the rest of the nation. Unfortunately, obesity rates of certain races in Hawaii are higher than others. Among Native Hawaiians, 39 percent are obese (Evans 2004:1): “In Hawaii, data clearly substantiate that Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander populations are more at risk for overweight and obesity and obesity-attributable health complications than other ethnic groups” (25).

Native Hawaiians may be more obese than other races in the same area due to class/economic status, hereditary factors and lifestyle choices. Because of the poor public transportation on islands other than Oahu, many people don’t have the opportunities to travel to a store for groceries. When the local restaurants only sell fatty foods, companies try to protect Hawaii from obesity.

Child Obesity and the Role of Schools

Child obesity has become a major issue within the United States. When Michelle Obama was first lady, one of her goals was to attempt to lower the national rate of child obesity. In Hawaii, 20 percent of children are obese (Evans 2004:16). Native Hawaiian children have an obesity rate that doubles the national children’s obesity rating. This high rating could be a result of Hawaii’s inconsistent educational system.

Since the beginning of the 2009–10 school year, Hawaiian public schools are closed on Fridays; the government calls them “furlough Fridays.” Because of the lack of funding for Hawaiian education, all students and teachers get to enjoy three-day weekends all school year long. Students have less routine in their daily lives, which heightens the risk of using drugs and alcohol and also gaining weight. They could make poor diet choices if they are home alone (while parents are at work) during Furlough Fridays. Because unhealthy food is cheaper, available, and appealing to children, unsupervised children could gain weight without nutritional education. If so, they can become socially detached from society due to social stigmas (Julier 2007: 487).

The Hawaii board of education continues to struggle to get adequate funding. For the school year of 2010-2011, teachers are being asked to work three school days without pay. Teachers are threatening to strike; if they follow through, it would create more instability in the children’s lives, causing them to possibly gain weight. President Obama is working to rid the 256 public schools of furlough Fridays through a bill that would increase the budget.

In a place that is known for its warm weather and beautiful landscapes, Hawaiian obesity shouldn’t be an issue. There are many ways to get exercise that people in other parts of the world cannot do. Fortunately, there are programs in place to help Hawaiian residents lose weight and make healthier choices. Kaiser Permanente shares pamphlets of information with their patients, which instructs them to make healthier food choices. They suggest that instead of the classic plate lunch, the typical Hawaiian should choose to get vegetables instead of rice, skinless chicken instead of chicken katsu, etc. Kaiser also sponsors the Aloha Run, which gets many people to come out with their families and get some exercise.

Where Do We Go From Here?

Hawaiian food culture evolved because of immigration and assimilation. The food that locals eat now is very different from that of the Natives (a healthy, rich diet). In current Hawaiian society, there is an obesity epidemic. Without education, Hawaii will continue to gain weight by eating unhealthy foods (like a plate lunch). Children that are attending public school should be able to attend on Fridays; if not, the obesity rates will continue to rise and children will have less daily routine.

Although the amalgamation of Hawaii is positive—“a model for the world”—the types of food that Hawaiians consume on a daily basis is not good for their health. In order to fix the problems with unhealthy eating in Hawaii there must be more access to public transportation and fewer fast food restaurants in low-income areas. The availability of unhealthy and cheap food makes it difficult for Hawaiians to make healthier choices. Through education and the promotion of exercise, Hawaii can rid itself of the obesity epidemic it is currently facing.

References

Boero, Natalie. “All the News that’s Fat to Print: The American ‘Obesity Epidemic’ in the Media.” Quantative Sociology. 30:41-60.

Byles, Julie. 2009. “Obesity: The New Global Threat to Healthy Aging and Longevity.” Health Sociology Review. 18:412-422.

Corum, Ann Kondo. 1983. Ethnic Foods of Hawai’i. Honolulu, HI: Bess Press.

Evans, Brooke. 2004. “Obesity in Hawaii: Health Policy Options.” University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Hallden, Karin. Elias le Grand. Zenis Hellgren. 2008. “Ethnicity and Social Divisions: Contemporary Research in Sociology.” Newcastle, UK: Cambridge Scholars Publishing.

Julier, Alice. 2007. “The Political Economy of Obesity: The Fat Pay All.” Food and Culture: A Reader. New York: Routledge. 482-499.

Kanahele, George, PHD. 1998. Pookela Hawaiian Culture Course. Kā'anapali Beach Hotel.

Kasindorf, Martin. 2007. “Racial Tensions are Simmering in Hawaii’s Melting Pot.” USA Today.

Keesing, Felix M. 1934. “The Changing Life of Native Peoples in the Pacific Area: A Sketch in Cultural Dynamics.” The American Journal of Sociology. 39:443-458.

Kirch, Patrick. Sharyn O’Day. 2003. “New Archaeological Insights into Food and Status: A Case Study from Pre-Contact Hawaii.” World Archaeology. 34: 484-497.

Laudan, Rachel. 1996. The Food of Paradise: Exploring Hawaii's Culinary Heritage. Honolulu, HI: University of Hawaii Press.

Law, Sylvia. 2000. “Health Care in Hawai'i: An Agenda for Research and Reform.” American Journal of Law and Medicine.

Linnekin, Jocelyn. Lin Poyer. 1991. “Cultural Identity and Ethnicity in the Pacific.” Journal of Sociology. 27:112-113.

Masuoka, Jitsuichi. 1945. “Changing Food Habits of the Japanese in Hawaii.” American Sociological Review. 10:759-765.

Nestle, Marion. 2003. “The Ironic Politics of Obesity.” Science Magazine. 229: 781.

Reinecke, John. 1938 “‘Pidgin English’ in Hawaii: A Local Study in the Sociology of Language.” American Journal of Sociology.

Scanlan, Laura. 2009. “The Voice of Hawaii.” Humanities. 30:1-3.

Schmitt, Robert C. 1981. “Early Hawaiian Statistics.” The American Statistician. 35:1-3.

Spickard, Paul R. Rowena Fong. 1995. “Pacific Islander Americans and Multiethnicity: A Vision of America's Future?” Social Forces. 73: 1365-1383.

Sullivan, Paul. 2005. “Killing Aloha: The Akaka Bill is Wrong for the State of Hawaii and Wrong for the United States.” Honolulu, HI.

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Comments

Stephanie Launiu from Hawai'i on May 30, 2015:

Excellent hub. Po'okela nui. I pinned this hub to my "Native Hawaiians" board on pinterest. https://www.pinterest.com/hawaiianmania/native-haw...

Aloha, Stephanie

Brittany Kennedy (author) from Kailua-Kona, Hawaii on November 06, 2013:

Mahalo! I originally researched this topic as a presentation for a sociology of food course. (A lot of the images were slides from my presentation.) Best of luck to you on yours! Aloha.

Kealakai on November 06, 2013:

Mahalo for such a great overview on the Hawaiian diet, historically and today, and the challenges we face concerning obesity and overweight. I'm doing a presentation on this very topic and your article is one of the best sources I've found. Thank you for sharing.

Ann on October 03, 2012:

Amazingly inaccurate information about traditional Hawaiian meals.

Natasha from Hawaii on August 14, 2012:

What an in-depth look at Hawaiian food culture. I was wondering about this, actually, after some friends talked me into going to a 'traditional' Hawaiian breakfast place that served Spam omlettes. At the time, I was thinking there was no way Spam was in the true traditional Hawaiian diet.

Derdriu on October 31, 2011:

BrittanyTodd: Thank you for the colorful and factual analysis of a people through the impact of change and migration on the ever vulnerable culture of islands. It is great that you not only pinpoint causes but also problem-solve.

Voted up, and across all categories too,

Derdriu

Brittany Kennedy (author) from Kailua-Kona, Hawaii on October 28, 2011:

I agree, Cortezmeow. And thank you, Noble One! I think Hawaii is very unique because of amalgamation.

Noble One from Milpitas, CA on October 28, 2011:

I've never been to Hawaii, but aside from the beautiful beaches and the hang loose culture often depicted, there's something about those islands that's inviting. Perhaps it's the "amalgamation." I learned a new word today. Thanks again, Brittany!

Cortezmeow on October 27, 2011:

I lived on Oahu. The beaches do keep the kids active, but it doesn't always keep them out of trouble. I think they should have more structured activities they teach nutrition as well as exercise. I miss Hawaii!

Brittany Kennedy (author) from Kailua-Kona, Hawaii on October 26, 2011:

Which island did you live on? I grew up on the Big Island. The best malasadas are definitely at Tex Drive In. I think the beach keeps kids active, but the diet and school lunch program definitely have an impact on the children's weight. I agree that a lot of the food we eat in Hawaii is shipped over and more expensive, but the local ranches on the Big Island help by selling to the grocery stores there. Thanks for reading; I'm glad you liked the article.

Cortezmeow on October 26, 2011:

Good hub. This article caught my I because I lived in Hawaii about three years ago and my children went to school there. My husband and I ran the Aloha run. It was awesome. I think the lunches that were served at school didn't help the obese problem in Hawaii either. School lunches consisted of rice, katsu chicken, and mac salad. I also noticed there weren't a lot of activities for kids to do to keep them out of trouble and healthy. I loved the food in Hawaii and miss the malasdas, a Portuguese type of bread served on the islands. The sushi their was the best, because it was so fresh. Another problem that the locals face,when choosing to eat right, is the cost of food. Because most of the food, on the islands has to be shipped, it cost more. A gallon of milk cost eight dollars in Hawaii. How can a family eat healthy, if food cost so much?

Brittany Kennedy (author) from Kailua-Kona, Hawaii on October 26, 2011:

Thank you! Actually, they shorten the summer months in oder to make up for lost time, but not by much. I think that the students suffer from having longer weekends.

PiaC from Oakland, CA on October 26, 2011:

This is an excellent Hub. I love all the depth of information! I had no idea that the public schools in Hawaii are closed on Fridays! Do they have longer days on the other days of the week to make up for the lost time?