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This is a very timely post for me because I just watched an episode of Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations where he went to Hawaii! He said the same thing as you, that Hawaii is not all luau food and there is a wonderful fusion of many cultures and styles. My parents lived in Hawaii for several years before I was born and they loved it!

Malasadas from Tex's on the Big Island!

Spam?

the worst meal I have ever had at a dinner party was "Hawaiian Spam" -- a spam stew with pineapple -- it was gelatinous, cold, and even the pineapple was too salty (the accompanying rice was cold, hard, and in a clump). So that meal may have really been Hawaiian...! Now, I realize that our hostess was culinarily-challenged, but can that dish ever work?

That first pic may be one restaurants version of loco moco, but real loco moco is white rice topped with a fried egg, a hamburger patty and covered in brown gravy. That's good stuff :-)

MissE - Yeah, that's definitely a restaurant version! I really wanted to include a picture of it (ie, a non-luau food), but loco moco is not the most...er...photogenic dish!

mschatelaine, I've never had anything resembling the dish you speak of, but Spam is used quite successfully in many dishes in Hawaii. Spam musubi (what is called "Spam sushi" in this post--it's not technically sushi because the rice isn't seasoned with vinegar) is truly delicious, as is my grandmother's rocking war-time spaghetti casserole, the ingredients of which would make most people on this blog run screaming away so I'll spare you the details—but, yes, it does include a thoughtful and sensitive application of Spam.

Other delicious Hawaii food: poke (similar to ceviche) of any sort, *real* shave ice, Roselani ice cream, the chow fun you get in the cone at the bon dances....and then you can get into that area where you talk about chicken adobo and lumpia and stuff but it's pretty confusing over there.

Get a cream puff at Komoda Store, Makawao, Maui and add a hunk of fat to your lau laus—you'll be glad you did!

@Emma, maybe could post a pic of real loco moco so as not to lead folks to believe that it's french fries with a spring salad?

Maybe something like this: http://flickr.com/photos/marley1/1435096095/

You cannot forget malasadas! They are fresh tender little Portugese doughnuts that are a mainstay snack in Hawaii. I grew up in Honolulu when I was little and the best ones where from Leonard's, which is still there! They are a little yeastier and moister than a Krispy Kreme and come in a couple of different flavors. So delicious...