This Is Hawai'i, the Local Way
The volcanic islands these chefs and writers call home are lush in culinary tradition. Their recipes and stories capture Hawai'i’s thrilling food culture today.
On The Line in Hawai'i
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A Day at the Hawai'i Butcher Shop Making the World’s Best Spam
Bon Appétit spends a day on the line with Jason Chow, co-owner and head butcher of The Local General Store in Honolulu, Hawai'i. As the first all-local butcher on O'ahu, Jason and his team are on a mission to make sustainably sourced, locally raised meat more accessible to the local community.
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This Hawai'i Restaurant Produces Some of the World’s Best Pork
Today, Bon Appétit spends a day on the line with Chef Keoni Regidor, the head chef of Lehua, a new restaurant bringing fresh energy to Hilo, Hawai'i. At Lehua, traditional Hawaiian ingredients meet modern culinary techniques to create a menu that’s rooted in heritage and innovation. With a focus on sustainability and a deep respect for local culture, Chef Keoni is reimagining what Hawaiian cuisine can be.
Cook These Recipes
RecipesPork Dinakdakan
Braise tender pork belly in soy and vinegar, then grill with shishito peppers and toss with ginger and a tangy dressing for bold, savory Filipino dinakdakan.
RecipesMango Bread
This sunny mango bread is ultra-moist and bursting with tropical flavor; the loaf is topped with a tangy mango-lime glaze that sets to a glossy finish.
RecipesGrilled Purple Sweet Potato Salad
Charred purple potato salad with mayo, lemon, and soy is smoky, creamy, and designed to be the star of any summer picnic or barbecue.
Stories on Land and Identity

Cooking
Finding My Roots in Hawai'i’s Soil, Sea, and a Sweet Potato Salad
I wanted to connect with my heritage by moving to ancestral land. The fruit farm I lived on provided so much more.

Culture
The Deep Connection Between Lei and Hawaiian Food Traditions
More than just a beautiful flower garland, lei links Native Hawaiians to their land and identity. A kanaka scholar traces the deeper meaning.

The Lahaina Wildfires Changed Everything. These Chefs Are Still Showing Up
Chefs Kyle Kawakami and Mark “Gooch” Noguchi share experiences on the front lines and how food is key to rebuilding community