“Manapua, Pepeiao, Pork Hash!” went the rhythmic chant of Hawai’i’s famed Manapua Men, who served steamed buns and enormous dumplings in the sugarcane plantation era and later, Spam Musubi, fried noodles and plate lunch from lunchwagons. Learn about the variegated histories of all these dishes, developed after many generations of immigrant workers of Hawai’i lived, worked and started families together through the eyes of Kiki Aranita. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, this program will increase participants' familiarity with the various cultures and cuisines that contributed to Hawaii’s diverse food scene.

This session will focus on the poke bowl: How did the treatment of fish evolve into what we now know to be a poke bowl? Why do you see a prevalence of Japanese ingredients in a poke bowl? – These are some questions that will be addressed while Kiki demonstrates how to make the dish and we taste her Chili Peppah Water.

Tickets for this in-person event are $20 and are available through Eventbrite here. All proceeds from ticket sales go towards supporting the Culinary Literacy's Center programs for youth, neighborhood engagement, and English language learning. Free tickets are available for SNAP eligible families and for anyone who cannot afford the fee right now but would still like to participate. Please email kitchen@freelibrary.org for more information

Note: In compliance with guidancce from the City of Philadelphia Department of Public Health, masks are required at all times, except when eating or drinking, and seating is limited. Please contact kitchen@freelibrary.org with any questions or concerns.