Heads up! Waikiki Spam Jam 2018 is happening this weekend. And whether you’re attending or not, there are things you should know.
Spam is awesome. If you didn’t already know this, you need to come to Hawaii and try a Spam musubi right now. After all, the salty meat is less scary than hot dogs! And, seared, crispy Spam makes for a heavenly combo when paired with steamed white rice. Of course, Spam also goes great in Japanese-style fried rice, fried noodles, and more. Just take a look at this amazing fried rice, that’s filled with Spam, from The Hideout Waikiki at The Laylow Waikiki.
Details
This year, in its 16th year, the Waikiki Spam Jam presented by Outrigger Hotels & Resorts will be happening on Saturday, April 28, 2018, from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Like years past, Spam Jam will take over much of Kalakaua Avenue, with tons of food, craft vendors, and entertainment. Oh, and for all you Terrace House fans out there, Eden Kai will be making an appearance at this year’s event. If you’re like me, though, you’re probably what restaurants are attending and what they’re serving. And, thankfully, unlike other events, the Waikiki Spam Jam has this information available already. So here’s the Waikiki Spam Jam 2018 participant list:
- ABC Stores: Spam Katsu Sticks and Spam Dynamite
- Aloha Table: Spam & Kobe Beef Premium Loco Moco and Spam Fried Saimin (noodles)
- Atlantis Seafood and Steak: Spam Lau Lau
- BASALT Restaurant: Spam Monkey Bread – Great American Spam Championship Recipe Winner
- Buho Cantina: Spam Tacos and Spam Burrito
- Duke’s: Hula Pie (no Spam)
- Eggs ‘n Things: Spam Nuggets, Mini Haupia Spam Cheesecake with Oreo Crust
- Flour & Barley: Aloha Pie with Spam, bacon, Maui Gold Pineapple, mozzarella, and Calabrian Chili
- Gordon Biersch: Mango BBQ Spam Sliders, Local Kine Spam Wonton Nachos, Asian Furikake Spam & Garlic Fries
- Herringbone: Spam Poke Bowl
- Hormel Foods: Spam Fries
- Hula Grill: Spam Katsu Sandwich, Spicy Buffalo-style Spam Sandwich, Teriyaki & Pineapple Spam Katsu Sandwich
- Kirin: Spam Dim Sum Plate
- Kona Coffee Purveyors: Spam Furikake Kouign Amann
- Mahalo Burger: Spam Cheeseburger, Pineapple & Teriyaki Spam Burger, Loco Moco Spam Burger
- Noi Thai Cuisine: Pineapple Spam Fried Rice
- Ono Pops: Handmade Ice Pops with Spam
- PF Chang’s: Spam Lo Mein Noodles
- Reef Bar & Market Grill: 50/50 Spam & Reuben Sliders, Spam Luau Stew
- Shops of Hawaii: Assorted Spam Musubi
- Stripsteak/The Street HNL: Loaded Spam Tater Tots
- Waikiki Yokocho: Spam Gyoza, Spam Takoyaki, Spam Yakisoba
Community
Aside from being a fun event, Waikiki Spam Jam aims to do good in the community too. In fact, the Hawaii Food Bank is the beneficiary of all funds raised through the event. Participants are also encouraged to bring at least one canned food item as a donation to the event. But the event goes beyond feeding the hungry. Other beneficiaries of the Waikiki Spam Jam include the Waikiki Community Center and the Hawaii Visitor Aloha Society.
Going Green
This year, Waikiki Spam Jam is reducing its environmental impact. They’re doing so by encouraging participants to bring their own reusable water bottle. You may also purchase a Spam Jam-branded collapsable water bottle at the event. Water bottles may be filled at Kokua Hawaii Foundation water stations during the event while recycling bins will also be made available.
What You Should Know
Regardless of whether or not you’re attending the Waikiki Spam Jam, there are things you need to know. Because the event is held on Kalakaua Avenue, there will be road closures, causing major disruption in the area. Lane closures will begin at 12:30 p.m., with a full road closure beginning at 1:30 p.m. And as you can see in this map, the road closures go from Seaside Avenue to Liliuokalani Avenue; the heart of Waikiki.
As you can see, direct access to the Westin Moana Surfrider, the Outrigger Waikiki, and the Outrigger Beachcomber will be unavailable for the duration of the event. Other properties like the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani and the Hyatt Regency Waikiki, fortunately, have their main access points on side streets. However, either way, traffic into and out of Waikiki will be VERY bad during the road closures. So be sure to plan accordingly, especially if you have a flight to catch.
Waikiki Spam Jam 2018, Final Thoughts
Admittedly, I’ve never been to the Waikiki Spam Jam. I hate crowds, and this event attracts at least 20,000 people every year. So it’s a great incentive for me to stay the hell away! Plus the traffic… But if you’re staying in Waikiki during this time, it’s worth checking out. Especially if you’ve never had Spam before. I’d just stay away from the Mahaloha Burger stand if I were you. Had a burger from them once and it was one of the most disappointing burgers I’ve ever had. So dry and crumbly; devoid of flavor too. Oh, and if you want some pictures to go along with the menu items, check out sponsor Frolic Hawaii’s post.