The Kahana Designs Journal

The Journal

The Kahana Designs Journal

Stories of Hawaiian culture — the akua, the islands, the flowers, the food, and the language. Written from our studio in Kailua-Kona.

A Hawaiʻi loco moco: white rice topped with a hamburger patty, fried egg, and brown gravy with green onions
What Is Loco Moco? Hawaiʻi's Ultimate Comfort Food
Loco moco — rice, a hamburger patty, a fried egg, and brown gravy — is Hawaiʻi's ultimate comfort food. Here's the story, the origins in Hilo, and how it's built. Read more...
A stack of Spam musubi — grilled Spam on rice wrapped in nori — with shoyu and chopsticks, a favorite snack in Hawaiʻi
What Is Spam Musubi? Hawaiʻi's Favorite Snack, Explained
Spam musubi is Hawaiʻi's favorite grab-and-go snack — grilled Spam on rice wrapped in nori. Here's what it is, its plantation-era history, and how it's made. Read more...
Guests seated on lauhala mats at a long lūʻau table laden with food, Waipiʻo, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi, circa 1890
The Luʻau: Then and Now
The story of the Hawaiian luʻau — from the ancient ʻahaʻaina and the breaking of the ʻaikapu to the imu, kālua pig, and the family first-birthday lūʻau of today. Read more...
Loco moco Hawaiian food t-shirt, Hawaiian food and drink design for island foodies
Hawaiian Food & Drink: Tees for Island Foodies
A guide to Hawaiian food and drink — plate lunch, loco moco, poke, malasadas, kalua pig, Kona coffee and more, the story behind local grinds, and tees for island foodies. Read more...
A Hawaiian plate lunch with rice, meat and a side
The Hawaiian Plate Lunch
The Hawaiian plate lunch is the islands' most beloved everyday meal — two scoops rice, mac salad, and a hot protein. Here's its history, what's on the plate, and where... Read more...
Brightly colored Hawaiian shave ice with syrup being poured over finely shaved ice, Hawaiʻi
Hawaiian Shave Ice, Explained
Hawaiian shave ice is the islands' favorite cool-down treat — here's what it is, how it's made, and how it differs from a snow cone. Read more...
Three colorful Hawaiian poke bowls with fresh ahi, vegetables, and rice, Hawaiʻi
What Is Poke? A Guide to Hawaiʻi's Favorite Dish
What is poke? Learn the history, pronunciation, and classic styles of Hawaiʻi's favorite dish — from ancient fishermen to today's poke shops — from a Native Hawaiian–owned shop in Kailua-Kona. Read more...
Overhead view of a fresh poke bowl with chopsticks, a beloved Hawaiian food, Hawaiʻi
Hawaiian Foods You Have to Try
From poke and kalua pig to malasadas and shave ice, this guide to Hawaiian food covers the iconic dishes you have to try on your next trip to the islands. Read more...
Freshly harvested taro (kalo), the source of poi, in Hawaiʻi
Poi: the staple food at the heart of ancient Hawaiʻi
Poi is the slow-pounded kalo paste at the heart of ancient Hawaiʻi — a foundational food, sacred plant, and family tie all in a single bowl. Read more...

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