Why we are BIG on Spam!

SPAM: Breakfast of champions. Gigantic, high-blood pressured, heart diseased champions!

Mac nuts meet Spam! Why? (but don't you wanna taste em')?

Growing up in Hawaii, Spam was as common as bacon. I believe Hawaii is the largest consumer of Spam in the US. The Spam Festival is held in Waikiki annually. Spam is eaten at breakfast with eggs. Lunch, on rice in Musubi. Dinner, more rice and even gravy! It is an acquired taste, but as is the case with many childhood foods, it is a comforting reminder of where we come from (and Monty Python). But it should also be a warning of where may be headed if we eat too much of it!

Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: (100 grams)
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 310
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 27g	41%
Saturated Fat 10g	49%
Cholesterol 70mg	23%
Sodium 1369mg	57%
Total Carboydrates 3g	1%
Dietary Fiber 0g	~
Sugars 0g	~
Protein 13g	26%
Vitamin A 0% Vitamin C 1% Iron 5% Calcium 1%
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs

May Day is "Lei Day" in Hawaii!

A rainbow of leis waiting for your neck

If you make it to O'ahu, Hawaii on May 1st, you'll experience one of the most beloved island traditions. May Day is "Lei Day" in Hawaii. The very first Lei Day was held on May 1st, 1928, and practically every person in Honolulu observed the day by wearing all styles of handmade and store bought lei. In 1929, Lei Day was made an official holiday which continues to this day.

A May Day lei-making contest is held in Waikiki

Festivities are still held downtown and in Waikiki with hula, music, lei making demonstrations, exhibits and lei contests. At Kapiolani Park you can see the lei contest entries hung up in an outdoor viewing gallery which people from all over the world flock to see. Old-school leis and innovative ones made from seeds and other unconventional materials are featured there.

Kamehameha Statue draped in Hawaiian lei

At Iolani Palace (the only monarchical palace in the USA) the statue of King Kamehameha is draped in traditional green Maile' leaf wreathes and over-long, colorful flower garlands. The balmy climate seems to carry the perfume of Tuberose, Pikake and Plumeria into every corner of the Island. It reminds me of a thousand special occasions from weddings to birthdays to funerals I observed growing up in Hawaii.

My dad - the late, great Josefa Mo'e

May 1st is also my Father's birthday. He would have been 75 this year. My dad's name was Josefa Moe and he was a true Hawaii local and beach boy. Quite a celebrity around town. Dad was a graphic artist. He was also a knife dancer. The kind you see spinning sharp and often flaming blades at a luau. Dad was at the top of his field though the 50's, 60's and 70's performing worldwide and at the International Market Place and the Royal Hawaiian Hotel.

Learning to swim with my dad in Waikiki

When I think of Lei Day and all the festivities that come with it, I always remember dad's birthday and that beach at Waikiki where dad taught all of his kids to swim. That's also where his 11 children scattered his ashes just a day or two before Don Ho joined him. Aloha, dad.

MAY DAY IS LEI DAY IN HAWAII

© Lyrics & Music: Leonard Hawk

May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii

Garlands of flowers everywhere

All of the colors in the rainbow

Maidens with blossoms in their hair

Flowers that mean we should be happy

Throwing aside a load of care

Oh, May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii

May Day is happy days out there

Al-o-o-o-o-ha! Back at my little grass shack.

Dad, my little brother Danny and me! c. 1966?

Weird, huh? Proof I was born a bona fide island boy. That handsome brown man is my Father, Josefa Moe who was a well-known Hawaiian entertainer and artist. He did the spectacular Samoan knife dance on that stage I'm sitting on (International Marketplace: Waikiki, Hawaii) and many others throughout our childhood. Yeah. He was the guy who spun those long knives like razor sharp batons, sometimes on fire! Dad was multi-talented. Aside from performing, he painted the sign you see in the picture AND carved the tiki behind us. Don't quote me, but I honestly think he may have had a hand in weaving the coconut hats Danny and I are wearing. My Dad - May 1st, 1933 - Nov. 3rd, 2006... You would have loved him.

Dad doing his thing in a 60's promo shot.