Cuisine Hawaii

The Hawaiian Isles are at the crossroads of culture, trade, sailing winds and cuisine.   The rich volcanic soil produces quality vegetables, fruits and ranching of cattle on the isles has been a success.

I have heard of Poi, made from the cooked and pounded root of the Taro. Yes, there is the dominating influence of Spam (or Spiced Ham) as brought in by US Marines in the Second World War. Japanese Sushi and Sashimi thrive in their Mid- Pacific locale.   The stereotype I have of food in Hawaii are images of banana, pineapples, sweet potatoes, coconuts, sugar cane and breadfruit, perhaps accentuated by watching too many Hollywood movies when I was growing up, or of thoroughly enjoying reading James A. Michener's huge classic novel simply called Hawaii.

Being born in and surrounded the ocean,  the significance of sea salt to Hawaiians cannot be under emphasised.   Red Hawaiian sea salt or the Alaea as a necessary icon to value started with the historical populating of the islands  and continues to play its seasoning and preserving role today.

The spirit of Aloha welcomed several ethnic groups from East and south-east Asia to join the original Polynesian settlers.   The latter sailed efficiently in their traditional canoes and other sea going craft across much of the South Pacific and native peoples from Tahiti and the Marquesa Isles, amongst others, did reach the Hawaiian isles.

So what is a culinary day like in contemporary Hawaii?  Fusion, imagination and fun are emphasised in making the unique dishes and food creations of the islands, apart from the traditions of immigrant cooking styles.   It can be a heady mix, more adventurous than perhaps California and New Orleans, definitely more than New England and Alaska.

For brunch, try the Loco Moco - what looks like a hamburger patty with fried egg and gravy also has a white rice component.   Its origins started with hungry surfers after a day out on the waves.  The Loco Moco can be viewed in the broader term as a hotch-potch of a complete meal with a little bit of sampling from various cooked dishes, akin to what I find on a banana leaf in southern India with steamed rice and bits of different curries and pickles.


Or realise that the Chinese pork bun now comes with a dizzying filling of Azores Islands Portuguese sausage, Chinese black sugar and chicken curry - the Manapua.


Many Asian visitors can readily associate with the Saimin.   These look like Ramen noodles but are actually made thinner, but you do find the familiar spring onions, fresh or dried shrimps, slices of Char Siew or southern Chinese roast pork with the red borders and fish cakes called the Kamaboko.


Americans like their Tacos and in Hawaii, they can have a fish version.   These are served with Mexican styled Salsas, garnished by fresh slices of mango or pineapple and toppings that may be cabbage slaw with a creamy sauce.

Pupus or snacks are ideal whilst touring, with bites like Lomi Lomi Salmon - with green onions, salads, diced salted salmon and tomatoes in crushed ice.   (Lomi is the native term for massage.)  


Or a snack can be the local fish Ahi or yellowfin tuna, to be sampled with a dressing of sesame oil, seaweed , soy and chopped onions in the Poki.   Ahi is best eaten when it has a deep red colour, glistens in the flesh and has a firm texture to the touch.


If you are yearning for Teriyaki chicken, you will be delighted by its Hawaiian recipe called the Huli Huli.   The outside of the grilled bird are caramelised, the insides have been marinated and basted lovingly to give your palate a juicy tender experience.

Cool down with desserts like shave ice, or the creamy Haupia, a coconut milk based jelly or have the Mochi inspired ice cream balls.   It is important that the former dessert is not gelatinous.

Dinner time and enjoy barbecues with the Kalua pig, chicken or Lau Lau. The latter refers to salted butterfish and pig cooked Imu or Hangi  style with Ti or Taro leaves. Kalua is the wrapping of Taro leaves with the pig before the roast.   This is best enjoyed when invited to or attending a Luau or traditional feast. 

Sweeten the palate with Malasadas or yeast doughnuts ala Portugal before one hits the bar.    The Filipino butter topped pastry or Ensaymadas are another idea for the sweet tooth.   

For the adventurous, ask for the Ake. This has roasted Kukui nut, Limu seaweed and rinsed liver, all seasoned with salt and chilli.

The USA celebrated 240 years of independence on 4 July  this year and Hawaii became its 50th state in May 1959.

‪

Brexit, the European Union and what is next?

In 2015, the largest number of non-citizen immigrants arriving in Britain come from Poland, Ireland and Germany.

Anyone born in Northern Ireland qualifies to apply for a passport issued by its neighbouring country, the Republic of Ireland.

The UK is facing a critical moment in its union, after being an island nation which once wielded power in an Empire across the world in the age of colonialism, industrialisation and shipping. Its location off the north-west coast of mainland Europe was destined for it to deal with the continent, whether in military campaigns, economic exchanges, cultural influences and social-religious developments. 

The ruling House of Windsor has German roots and once had close relatives in all the royal houses of present and past European states. The Saxons invaded England from France. The English and Portuguese have had close political alliances for the past 700 years. Brit tourists are a significant presence in Spain and in any football match held on the continent. British pensioners contribute to the viability of many countryside French villages. The British presence in Romania, despite Dracula and all, is under mentioned. 

Denmark has a Crown Princess with a Scottish-Australian background. The links between the UK and Europe are undeniable, not just in trade, banking, Western thought and shared history. 

Britain voting to leave the EU spotlights on issues underpinning how contemporary Europe is trying its best to be united. Perhaps the EU should take a more serious review of how a union can be formed with countries big and small, each with a rather strong sense of cultural identity, varying levels of ability in financing and economic development and with disadvantages in currently adopting a common currency. 

Maybe it is not so much of the UK voters in the Brexit referendum being unhappy with decisions made in Brussels, or with EU membership benefits only pleasing the banking fraternity in London city. It is the nature and conditions of EU membership that causes discontent, amongst the right wing, the dispossessed and the unemployed residing on the continent. 

Add to this heady mix the several or so ethnic groups who are unhappy and dissatisfied for a variety of reasons living in European countries, being part of a larger political entity with whom they do not share cultural and political values.   For example, Catalonians have been displaying strong signals to break away from Spain; the Scots have been pursuing autonomy from London and the referendum majority vote for the UK to leave the EU has deepened the split in this perspective between Scotland and England; and the sizeable Muslim minority in the Republic of France have complained of alienation and economic disparity from the mainstream.

The dream of a united Europe stems from the bitter, savage and regretful experiences of two major wars in the 20th century. Yet it is not a smooth and uneventful path to form a union of so many states.   Unlike historical China, where union was often violently and painfully enacted upon what were disparate kingdoms, thousands of years ago,  to result in today's Han Chinese consciousness and sense of collective cultural belonging,   Europe faces contemporary challenges in forming a meaningful federated entity.    What are the effective European values that can be utilised to keep alive the Euro dream?

It is surely that any referendum that David Cameron wrought has unleashed what may be truly a Pandora's Box impacting on economics, politics and social matters for many years to come.   Did Cameron really not consider an outcome of the majority of British voters deciding to quit the EU?     Would there not have been any contingency plans to deal with such an outcome in the expected processes of business continuity planning and action for a nation like Britain? 

It can be ironic that the EU referendum held in Britain in June 2016 may also lead to the break up not just between the European continent and Britain, but for the UK itself and perhaps for the European Union - who knows?

The pessimistic doomsayers chatter about the financial capital of Europe moving to Germany,  the opportunity for Dublin to enhance its role for the EU (it is already the back room processing centre for many businesses in that region) and for paris to steal the limelight further from London.    Londoners will not give up their strategic and profitable status that easily - and will find ways of continuing to prosper in an ever changing world.

‪

Uber and Change

Delivering meals, ice cream and other business deliveries have been added by Uber, which started by transporting passengers in two vehicles in San Francisco.

The business now has around 5000 full time staffers - in addition to the drivers who have increasingly asked to be categorised as employees instead of being contractors. 

Currently corporate culture does not encourage the payment of tips. Its next interests are in the development of driverless cars and in introducing car pooling services.Investing in driverless vehicles do seem the anti-thesis of its very first successful business niche.   However this does underline the modus operandi of new fangled businesses of the near future - innovate, deconstruct, let go and embrace the new.

Guangzhou has so far been the top city in number of passenger hire trips for Uber. Worldwide, Uber is operating in more than 360 cities in 66 countries - and has around three quarters of all counties covered in the USA. Uber provided three million rides daily by last year and there are already more than a million active Uber drivers.

The journey for Uber has met challenges and opposition at various levels. However its growth echoes the basic premise that individuals can choose to make money in their spare time with what they already own - their private car. 

Uber is typical of the recent disruptive and transformative businesses that are successful despite not owning the physical things used to bring in the money - by just offering a connective platform between customers and those who actually deliver the service or product.

  

Uber founder Travis Kalanick also believes in the value of providing independence, dignity and control of personal time to drivers under his business model. His drivers become self entrepreneurs in a way - and perhaps also drive down the costs of hire car trips.

Critics are not so sure about the position Uber drivers find themselves in - and suggest feudal like conditions such drivers face, the absence of pension and other benefits, plus asserting that Uber has more advantages in such a relationship.   

Continued disruption by such digital age business models will intensify and is part of changes in how future businesses engage with customers in the pursuit of profits. 

‪