• 
  
• HOME PAGE
• Maui fishing F.A.Q.
• Charter boats
• Making reservations
• Contact Mike
• Bottom fishing
• Shore fishing
• 
• More
  • Who IS this Guy?
  • Fish Recipes
  • Fishing Slideshow
  • Local Links
  • JCMA ... aka "legalese"

If you've travelled in the South Pacific, you may have noted that there is an great affinity for salted, jerked, and tinned meats. South Pacific islanders were exposed to these foods by the early European explorers, missionaries, whalers, and by the armed forces during WWII. Did you know that Hawaii residents consume SPAM more than four times the national average!

Who first brought salt salmon to Hawaii has been lost in time. More than likely, it was introduced in the mid-1800's by whalers. However, lomi lomi salmon became an integral part of Hawaiian food culture, that no luau would be truly Hawaiian without it.

Simple to make, and oh so good:

You'll want to soak the salt salmon filet in cold water for 3-6 hours, changing the water several times. On your last water change, add a tray or so of ice cubes, as lomi lomi salmon is best when it's very cold. It's also easier to dice, which is the next step.

Drain the salmon, and remove all bones and skin. Dice the salmon into small cubes, about the size of a pencil eraser. It's o.k to use any smaller pieces, so as not to waste any of the salmon filet.

Put the salmon cubes, diced tomatoes, and diced sweet onion in a glass bowl. Gently combine them with your fingers. Lomi lomi means “massage” in Hawaiian.

At this point, you can cover the glass bowl and refrigerate for several hours or overnight.

Again, lomi lomi salmon is best served very cold. Prior to serving, add a half dozen or so ice cubes (or better yet, a cup of shaved ice) and the sliced green onion. Toss gently and serve with a slotted spoon. The finished dish should look like the picture below.

Lomi lomi salmon is generally served as a side salad type dish, so figure to serve about 1/3 to 1/2 cup per person (unless you're serving me, then figure a cup). This recipe should be enough for about six 'normal' people.

Some folks (like me) like to shake a little Hawaiian "chili peppa watah" on theirs, or a shake of ground red chili flakes.

Even if you don't make this yourself, it's a 'must try' on your next Hawaiian vacation.

Salt Salmon

Salt salmon may be hard to find, but it's easy to make:

Put a 1 1/2 lbs. salmon fillet (no more than about 1/2" thick) in a 9x13 glass dish and cover both sides with a thin layer of Hawaiian salt (rock/kosher style sea salt, not iodized table salt).

Cover with Saran, and refrigerate for 3-4 days. This removes most of the moisture and cures the fish.

Hawaiian Chili Pepper Water

My Hawaiian chili pepper water is sort of like Tabasco-lite, but you can regulate the 'heat' by the number or type of chili peppers used.

I usually chop about 1/2 the peppers into small pieces and leave the others whole. Warning: Hawaiian chili peppers are very hot! Don't get any in your eyes and wash your hands well after chopping them.

Combine the peppers, ginger, garlic and salt in a glass jar. Add in the hot water and let the mixture steep at room temperature overnight.

In the morning, fill one or more appropriate sized 'shake n serve' bottles. Clean Tabasco or soy sauce bottles work great. Be sure to divide the garlic, ginger, and peppers between each of the bottles. Keep refrigerated.

Chili pepper water is great on rice, eggs, meats, seafoods almost anything.

An interesting side note for you organic gardeners: Hawaiian chili peppers make a fantastic organic insecticide for tomatoes and bell peppers. Simply run 20 or so peppers and a cup of water through your food processor or blender to liquefy. Pour the mixture into your Hudson sprayer, add 1 gal. of water and spray your tomatoes and bell peppers. You have to reapply the spray every two weeks or so, or if it rains.