Celebrating Local Cuisine With ‘Ono! Hawai‘i’s Food Culture
Take a mouthwatering journey through Hawai‘i’s diverse food culture in PBS Hawai‘i’s new digital series.
Photo: Courtesy of PBS Hawai‘i
Loosen your belt buckles and let us help calm your “hangry” side with our new monthly digital series, ‘Ono! Hawai‘i’s Food Culture. This series is not just about food; it’s about culture, memory and the ways we connect.
In our first episode, we dug into the origins of manapua, Hawai‘i’s local version of the Chinese char siu bao. When Chinese immigrants arrived in the late 19th century to work on plantations, they brought their culinary traditions with them, including the steamed pork bun.
As workers from many cultures shared meals and swapped ingredients, new flavors and forms began to take shape. Over time, the bao evolved into something local: bigger, fluffier, sealed on the bottom and often a bit sweeter. It became what locals now call manapua—a name thought to come from the Hawaiian phrase mea ‘ono pua‘a, or “delicious pork pastry.”
Though the classic filling is char siu—a sweet-savory Chinese-style barbecue pork—manapua now comes in all kinds of varieties, from curry chicken to ube to kalua pig.
Some people like theirs baked with a shiny golden crust; others swear by the soft, pillowy steamed version. The debate between Team Baked and Team Steamed runs deep, and every local has an opinion. What manapua team are you?
Other episodes in the ‘Ono series continue to explore this same blend of heritage and flavor—like the story of a mother and daughter bonding over butter mochi or how Spam musubi became a staple snack found everywhere from lunch counters to gas stations.
This month, we’re diving into the comfort of saimin, another dish born from cultural blending. New episodes drop on the last Friday of each month, spotlighting the dishes that tell the story of Hawai‘i—one bite at a time. Stream on YouTube or our website and discover how food connects us all.
‘Ono! Hawai‘i’s Food Culture
Friday, April 25, noon
Exclusively streaming on pbshawaii.org and YouTube
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Every month, HONOLULU publishes a blog written by the folks at PBS Hawai‘i, the only locally owned, statewide television station in Hawai‘i that receives support mainly through donations. Visit pbshawaii.org to learn more about exceptional, locally produced shows and the most prominent provider of educational and national programming. Explore music and the arts, discover in-depth documentaries and learn what makes Hawai‘i so special. Follow PBS Hawai‘i on all platforms: @pbshawaii
