ISLAND EXCURSION
It's a jammin' festival in the land of Spam

By Zenaida Serrano
Advertiser Staff Writer

All things Spam will be celebrated at this weekend's Spam Jam in Waikiki. Last year's debut festival drew about 30,000 Spam fans.

So checking out this weekend's 2nd annual Waikiki Spam Jam — especially the various food vendors — is a no-brainer for the Nu'uanu resident, 49.

"Spam is one of my favorite dishes, and it's nice to see what other dishes they can make Spam out of so that I can incorporate them (in my dishes) as well," said Quisano, a financial controller.

A series of related activities will take place today and Saturday, but the main event will be the street festival along Kalakaua Avenue Saturday night.

There will be more than a dozen craft booths and food vendors, including cooks from Davey Jones Ribs, Radisson Waikiki Prince Kuhio, Royal Yakiniku Restaurant and Shiggy's Delicacy.

The event, presented by Times Supermarkets and the Waikiki Improvement Association, "was created as an economic initiative to drive business to Waikiki, fill a soft-shoulder tourism month and develop an event that could create a visitor-resident interaction," said event coordinator Lisa Kim.

There will also be two stages of entertainment, including performances by Vaihi (5 p.m.), Jordan Segundo and Tani Lynn (7:45 p.m.), Sean Na'auao (8:30 p.m.) and Na Palapalai (9 p.m.).

Quisano, who attended last year's Spam Jam, will be one of thousands in attendance. The first festival drew about 30,000 Spam fans and organizers are expecting to top that this year.

Considering the locale, that shouldn't be a problem.

"More Spam is consumed per capita in Hawai'i than any other state in the U.S.," Kim said.

Reach Zenaida Serrano at 535-8174 or zserrano@honoluluadvertiser.com.

Waikiki Spam Jam events

Attempt to make (and eat) the longest Spam musubi

• Noon today
• Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center's Fountain Courtyard
• Free
• 545-4195

Bo Irvine Comedy Show

• 7 p.m. today
• All Star Hawai'i
• $10; free with a can of Spam
• 955-8326

Breakfast buffet

• 7:30-9:30 a.m. Saturday
• Tiki's Grill & Bar
• $10.95; children ages 5 to 10 pay the same price as their age; free for children ages 4 and younger
• Reservation required: 923-8454

Activities with Sandi Takayama, author of "The Musubi Man" books

• 10 a.m.--1 p.m. Saturday
• Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach
• Free
• 545-4195

Street festival

• 4-10 p.m. Saturday
• Kalakaua Avenue from Royal Hawaiian to Ka'iulani avenues
• Free
• 545-4195
• Traffic advisory: Two makai lanes of Kalakaua Avenue from Royal Hawaiian to Ka'iulani avenues will be closed Saturday from 1:30 p.m. to midnight . All lanes of Kalakaua Avenue from Seaside to Ka'iulani avenues will be closed Saturday from 2:45 p.m. to midnight.