Culinary Hawaii
For culinary adventure, travelers don’t need to leave the U.S.
Maui
Honolulu
Today’s generation of diners wants authenticity in their food – delicacies that reflect the tastes, culture, and heritage of the people who grow and cook it. It’s about more than just storied recipes, accurately sourced ingredients, and even chefs who are steeped in the tradition: it’s about going beyond the restaurant and finding the source — venturing out to enjoy these dishes in their place of origin and experiencing how and
where these one-of-a-kind foods are grown. In fact, culinary tourism,
or food tourism, is a billion-dollar industry.
20.7984° N, 156.3319° W
Maui
In Maui, visitors can learn about the history of Hawaii through its food systems, beginning with the foods brought by the first Polynesians to settle on the island. These “canoe crops” include sugar cane (ko), bananas (mai’a), coconuts (niu), and the root vegetable taro.
Located in “The Four Great Waters” region of Maui, Polipoli Farms grows some of these Polynesian crops in a regenerative agroforest. The Hawaiian farmers combine the indigenous techniques used by the land’s original farmers with modern methods to emphasize the importance of regenerative practices. Visitors can take part in an interactive tasting activity that includes a demonstration of crushing raw sugar cane into a sweet drink and samples of a farm-grown herbal tea called mamaki + ‘ulu.
On Maui’s North Shore is a life-sharing community called La’akea. This non-profit was founded as a residential farm where Maui County’s special needs population can live and work the land. On Community Farm Day, visitors are welcome to come and work side-by-side with residents planting, harvesting, tending to the crops, and learning about tropical organic farming and permaculture practices. Visitors can also shop for locally grown organic fruits and vegetables at the country store, eat a farm-to-table lunch, and, after a day’s work, sit down to a home-cooked meal sourced from the very gardens they worked in.
21.3069° N, 157.8583° W
Honolulu
Visitors to Honolulu have no shortage of culinary adventures, either. Outside of the city, on the windward side of O’ahu, volunteers can make a difference by helping restore a wetland taro field.
At He’eia Lo’i, visitors can stand in the shadow of the scenic Ko’olau mountains and immerse themselves in the Native Hawaiian food systems and culture of connection to the land. They will plant native vegetation and remove invasive species that threaten the natural ecosystem, helping restore the habitat using traditional methods that date back many generations.
And for travelers with a sweet tooth, there’s Manoa Chocolate. Also located on the windward side of O’ahu, in the town of Kailua, this community cultivates cacao fruit that grows on the islands like nowhere on the mainland. Cacao is a relatively new commercial crop for the only state with the essential, unique tropical climate. At Manoa, you can follow the manufacturing process from bean to bar and taste a whole assortment of homegrown Hawaiian chocolate, led by a local sommelier.
These adventures and more are made possible by Alaska Airlines and travel2change, a Hawaii-based
non-profit that believes that travelers can better the world while exploring it. Alaska Airlines is proud to partner with travel2change to offer fun and impactful activities in these local communities. The airline also makes getting to Hawaii affordable with promotional offers like $50 off your first flight after joining their Mileage Plan™ and Alaska Airlines Uplift program, which enables you to book your travel now and pay over time. The shared goal is to transform tourism to benefit local communities and broaden the knowledge and awareness of indigenous culinary cultures for everyone.
Maui
Honolulu
Fly With Us
These days, people are willing to go out of their way for a good meal, and we’re not just talking about driving across town to get on the waitlist at the city’s hottest new restaurant.
If you’re taking the time and trouble to research where to find the finest cuisine on the globe, you don’t have to worry about how you’re going to get there. Alaska Airlines simplifies travel to some of the most desirable culinary destinations on Earth. For instance, one of the most unique and popular food scenes on the planet is in Hawaii. Alaska Airlines has direct flights from SFO to both Honolulu and Maui, where once–in–a–lifetime culinary adventures await.
Click to explore the locations
THe real taste of Hawaiian food and culture
Twitter
Tiktok
facebook
instagram
LinkedIn
Flight Pass
Ready to choose your own travel adventure? With a Flight Pass subscription, you’ll land frequent, flexible flights to great destinations in California, Nevada and Arizona–all for one monthly fee from $49* per month. It's your ticket to more tickets!
learn more
Mileage Plan™
Mileage Plan membership allows frequent flyers to earn miles every time you fly with us or any of our airline partners. New Mileage Plan members, join now and save $50* on your next flight.
Learn more
Uplift
Book now; pay later — budget for the trip of your dreams.
learn more
Oneworld Alliance
Say hi to oneworld, an alliance of the world’s leading airlines providing the highest level of service and convenience across more than 900 destinations worldwide.
learn more
Travel Experiences
Four classes of travel to ensure the comfort and affordability you desire.
learn more
InFlight Amenities
Ready up for endless streaming with over 1000 free movies and TV shows, plus USB and outlet seat charging on most flights.
learn more
Flight Pass
Ready to choose your own travel adventure? With a Flight Pass subscription, you’ll land frequent, flexible flights to great destinations in California, Nevada and Arizona–all for one monthly fee from $49* per month. It's your ticket to more tickets!
learn more
Uplift
Book now; pay later — budget for the trip of your dreams.
learn more
Mileage Plan™
Mileage Plan™ membership allows frequent flyers to earn miles every time you fly with us or any of our airline partners. New Mileage Plan members, join now and save $50* on your next flight.
Learn more
Oneworld Alliance
Say hi to oneworld, an alliance of the world’s leading airlines providing the highest level of service and convenience across more than 900 destinations worldwide.
learn more
Travel Experiences
Four classes of travel to ensure the comfort and affordability you desire.
Four classes of travel to ensure the comfort and affordability
you desire.
learn more
InFlight Amenities
Ready up for endless streaming with over 1000 free movies and TV shows, plus USB and outlet seat charging on most flights.
learn more
Twitter
Tiktok
facebook
instagram
LinkedIn
Back to the hub
Back to the hub