Picture yourself in Hawai’i and someone dressed up as Spam walks by. Yes, spam, the meat. At the annual Waikiki SPAM JAM festival, spam enthusiasts, from spam-dressed people to spam-eating people, come together to celebrate the canned food that has powered generations.
Since its introduction in 1937, SPAM has been consumed more in Hawaii than anywhere else in the States. Originally served as luncheon meat in World War II, the food has since become a staple of Hawaiian culinary culture. Kalakaua Avenue block party will serve up some of Hawaii’s best SPAM dishes from over 20 restaurants accompanied by local vendors and music. From 4-10 pm on April 29, you can feast on SPAM JAM ahi poke, SPac and cheese bites, and much more. The week of the event will highlight selected restaurants that serve a special SPAM dish on their menu until May 14, 2023.
Funds raised by the SPAM JAM are donated to the Hawai’i Food Bank and the Waikiki Community Center, along with the Visitor Aloha Society of Hawai’i each year. Check out a more comprehensive list of dishes and restaurants here;
The Specs
- 30,000 people attend.
- Admission is free.
- Staying an extra few days? Check out FiftyGrande’s picks of things to do in Hawai’i.
FAQs
Is there parking? Yes. There will be discounts too. Keep up on their website for more information once released.
Is there an age limit? This festival is open for all ages.
What should I bring? No reason to bring anything other than yourself and your ticket. Food and drinks are provided at the event and there will be several vendors to choose from.