Payten Purdy

Joined Kanu Hawaii:
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Aug 07, 2009
Kailua, Hawaii
Student
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Profile Journal (2) Commitments (9) Actions (2) Hui (2)

Eating Local at Tamashiro Market


Aug 23, 2009





The day was Aug 08, 2009, and I had committed to an "action" on the Kanu site, which was at The Tamashiro Market in Kalihi. It started off a bit rocky, slept in till 8:47am(which is too late for this morning person.) I took a quick shower, and almost made my breakfast. I opened my fridge and scanned my options:
Hummus
Stale Crackers
Milk
Hot Pockets
Burritos
Left-over something in a box
Cheese
Pickles
Old Veggies
and jars of Condimentals.
As I browsed for something to nourish me, I thought about "how" it nourishes me. The night before was the first time I had ever checked out Kanu, and I was inspired by what Kanu stood for, to Protect and Promote Island Living. I am also partaking in the Eating Local Challenge so I thought about all the different ways, and changes I needed to start stand up for what I believe in. My stomach and heart were colliding with urges. I knew my body was in need of food, but deep inside I didn't want to eat some junk to have myself satisfied. So then it happened...compromise, because the Eating Local Action was at Tamashiro Market, I decided to just eat my breakfast there. I get to support the local market, and eat fresh, local healthy food. Then my mind shifted into challenge mode, and I challenged myself to eat 100% local(more like indigenous Hawaiian food) for 3 days.
So I searched for some Local food to eat, but it was nowhere to be found. I know, I know lame, but not a single thing in my kitchen was in relation to indigenous hawaiian foods.
FYI-this was a very long gander in the fridge.
So no breakfast for me, till I got Tamashiro's. About 6 months ago, I stopped driving my car completely and started riding my bike everywhere, but today I had no bike, so it became a bus day! As unlucky as I can get, I missed 3 of my busses(don't ask me how.)
I finally get to Tamashiro's Market and was greeted by Olin and some other dude, received a cool Kanu t-shirt from then and I made my way into the fish aromatic market. Many people trafficking in and out, men and women, kids, families every race entered. I liked how I saw families shopping together, especially in a local market. I don't know why I felt this, but I had the feeling that the families were uniting here. I was astonished to see how many people love to shop here. I broke my people watching stare, checked the 10% discounted foods, and explored the market. Fresh fruits, veggies, seafood, and more, all I to do was choose now. It came down to Aku Poke, Sweet Potato, Papaya, a Spam musubi and a bag of Poi. Finally I got to eat my breakfast, and this time it was a legit healthy meal. The sweet potato was a dark regal purple color, soft and sweet. The Aku poke so fresh and balanced crunchy limu. The papaya perfectly shaped, was light and sweet. Oh man and that poi, sooo ono.

As my feast dwindled, I noticed how clean the tastes were. But I had also noticed that one of the products were a little richer than the rest...the SPAM MUSUBI!!!
I don't think the Hawaiian's had rice back then, not to mention SPAM!
So much for eating indigenous for this day!



Comments (2)

Aug 23, 2009
Dominik Walczuk said...
I like how you write, mate! I also quite enjoyed how you noted what is in your fridge- heh. Brilliant how you made your breakfast decision- and very lucky to participate in the market and meet others! I hope I can do that in the future. Keep peddlin'
Cheers

Sep 01, 2009
Roger Dunn said...
what I found interesting is not everything in Tamashiro market is grown/caught locally. Many of the fish are from South Pacific. Palau, Indonesia, Chuuk, Samoa, etc. I'm not sure how I feel about purchasing fish from other countries, yet purchasing fish locally at a higher price doesn't sit well with me either. any thoughts on how to address my conflict?

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