Slow Food Stories • Slow Food Oahu

Creativity Showcase: The 2026 Banana Festival Cook-off

Ready to turn your bananas into something extraordinary? The 2026 Banana Festival Cook-Off wants your most creative dishes—whether pupu, savory, dessert, drink, or even the flower. Compete for Patagonia backpacks and gift cards from Farm Link Hawai‘i, Kualoa Ranch, and Ho‘okua‘āina. Bring your kitchen flair to the festival on August 30 and show what you can do with every part of the banana plant. Entries close August 28!

Slow Money Hawaii Supports Local Farmers

Slow Money Hawaii is creating a powerful new way for our community to support regenerative farmers and food entrepreneurs. By connecting caring lenders with island growers…

Hōʻiliʻili Market & Deli: Local Food Convenience in Mōʻiliʻili

Stuck between missing the farmers market and not wanting to shop online? Farm Link Hawaiʻi now offers a convenient solution with Hōʻiliʻili Market & Deli — a…

Roots Café at Kōkua Kalihi Valley

Looking for honest, flavorful, and truly local lunches on O’ahu? Tucked inside Kōkua Kalihi Valley’s health center, Roots Café serves fresh meals made with ingredients…

Islands’ and Global Treasure: The Breadfruit Institute

Looking to eat more local, ʻono, and pono food while strengthening food security in the islands and cutting reliance on imports? The Breadfruit Institute, based at the…

Indigenous Food Lab Visits Hawai‘i

Explore the rich world of Native Hawaiian cuisine through the eyes of acclaimed chef Sean Sherman’s NATIFS Indigenous Food Lab. The Lab's 2025 visit produced beautiful…

Henry Kisitu: A Man for Bananas

From a three-year-old orphan tending bananas in Uganda to crafting wellness elixirs in Hawai‘i, Henry Kisitu's journey embodies resilience and cultural pride. Discover how…

2025 Banana Festival Cook-Off: Stellar Banana Peel Pupu and Other Wonders

Join us in celebrating the 2025 Banana Festival Cook-Off, where 16 creative dishes competed for top honors! From vegan banana peel “meatballs” to a decadent Banana…

Where to Find: Inamona

Craving that true salty-nutty punch in your poke? Inamona, the kukui nut gem among canoe plants, is your secret weapon. But with traditions fading, sourcing it matters…

Buy Local: Sources on O‘ahu for Island-Grown Meat

Craving sustainable, island-grown meat? O‘ahu offers a variety of retailers sourcing beef, pork, venison, and more from local farms. Support eco-conscious farmers who…

Master the Art of Wild Pig Butchery with Slow Food O‘ahu

Join Slow Food O‘ahu for our wild pig butchering class led by expert hunter Doug Young. Limited to just eight participants, this intimate 2-hour workshop is a hands-on…

Buy Local: Fresh Fish on O‘ahu

Craving fresh, sustainable fish on O‘ahu? Our guide highlights top local markets offering ‘ono and pono seafood, supporting local fishermen and eco-friendly fisheries…

Restoring ‘Āina Momona in He‘eia

Discover how He‘eia NERR is reviving traditional ahupua‘a practices, blending Native Hawaiian wisdom with modern science to restore food security and cultural heritage…

Go Farm! Cultivating Local Farmers to Enhance Food Security

Discover how GoFarm Hawai‘i is revolutionizing food security by training aspiring farmers. From hands-on farming to business skills, their programs empower diverse…

Ho‘okua‘āina in Maunawili

Ho‘okua‘āina transforms Maunawili Valley into a vibrant hub of kalo farming, cultural preservation, and community connection. Producing 30,000 pounds of kalo annually…

CSA on O‘ahu

Craving fresh, local produce without the farmers market hassle? Join a CSA on O‘ahu! Support local farmers, enjoy weekly shares of in-season crops, and help reduce…

Kōkua Hawai‘i Foundation Farm Stand and Store

Discover how Kōkua Hawai‘i Foundation’s ʻĀINA Farm Stand and Kōkua General Store in Hale‘iwa are fostering community, sustainability, and local agriculture.

Pacific Gateway Center

Discover the Pacific Gateway Center (PGC), a Honolulu nonprofit empowering O‘ahu’s family farmers to grow fresh Southeast Asian produce. From immigration support to…

Spotlight On: Touch A Heart

Discover Touch A Heart, a hidden gem in Honolulu transforming lives through food. Learn how this nonprofit empowers individuals through job training and internships in a…

Buy Local: Hawaiian Coffee

Buy local to support Hawaiian coffee; it's culturally and economically vital. Understand the true meaning of 'Hawaiian blends' and why knowing your producer matters.

Ta‘ape: A Sustainable Seafood Option

Dive into the world of ta‘ape, an invasive yet delectable fish in Hawai‘i. Learn how consuming this 'ono (delicious) species can combat ecological imbalance, support…

Where to find: kalo, poi, and ‘ulu

Discover the rich culinary heritage of Hawaii with our guide on where to find kalo (taro) and ‘ulu (breadfruit), two versatile canoe plants brought by Polynesian…

PSA: Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle

The Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB) poses a significant threat to Hawai‘i's agricultural sector and cultural landscape, having spread across O‘ahu since its detection in…

Banana Burgers

Ever thought bananas could burger? Think again! Mari Wills, a culinary wizard and registered dietitian, has masterfully transformed the humble banana into a savory sensation…

Hawai‘i’s Own Gabe Sachter-Smith

Gabe Sachter-Smith, a dedicated banana enthusiast, has identified over 500 banana varieties worldwide, driven by a quest sparked in his youth. From his farm in Hawaii to…

Forging Her Path — For Herself and Other Women Food Leaders

Explore Chef Gida Snyder's journey to embodying Slow Food values in her culinary business, Slow Island Food & Beverage Co., focusing on local, sustainable, and communal…

Little Red Fire Ants!

The discovery of little red fire ants (LRFA) in Hawai‘i neighborhoods has prompted proactive community action due to limited state resources. LRFA, notorious for painful…

ʻĀina Momona

Join the movement to combat food waste and support your community by connecting with local organizations like Kōkua Tree and Aloha Harvest. These dedicated groups turn your…

Safe to Eat?

Wild pigs in Hawaii have evolved from small Polynesian-introduced animals to larger European-interbred feral pigs. These pigs were once domesticated but became destructive…

Gastronomy 101

The University of Gastronomic Sciences in Italy, founded by Slow Food International, offers programs in sustainable food innovation and gastronomy. A recent graduate, Makana…

Quick Articles About Slow Food in Hawai‘i