Smoke filled the air along a portion of Kalākaua Avenue Saturday afternoon as throngs of people waited in line for various Spam-inspired delicacies.
The 22nd annual Waikīkī SPAM JAM Festival drew 40,000 people to Waikīkī this weekend, Toby Tamaye, marketing director for the festival, told Aloha State Daily in an email Monday. This year's event featured 25 restaurants and 45 total vendors, as well as Spam-themed drone show.
Tamaye says there were no incidents during the festival, which was the "most highly attended event ever. The drone show packed the beaches of Waikīkī."
As of Monday morning, he did not have a tally of what was spent during the event.
In addition to the festival's namesake attraction, there were a few new draws this year, including the launch of an OluKai X Spam collaboration slipper and a new slider section where four restaurant vendors sold their take on Spam sliders, Tamaye says.
Also new this year was the Best in Show competition. The five finalists included Hula Grill, Maui Brewing Co., Appetito Waikīkī, Corner Rolls and Da Hub.
According to Tamaye, six members of the media visiting from New York and Los Angeles were the judges. Da Hub's "Spam and Eggs Braddahsadas" was the winning dish.
In addition to the April 25 street festival, a dine-in Spam event runs through May 3. Participating restaurants — including Hideout at the Laylow, Kamukura Surf + Dine, Genius Lounge, BASALT and Wagyuya Sizzle — are offering special Spam-themed dishes.
Waikīkī SPAM JAM is a fundraiser for the Hawaiʻi Foodbank and also donates to the Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaiʻi and Waikīkī Community Center, the festival website notes. Tamaye says at least $50,000 will be donated to Hawai‘i Foodbank this year.
ASD was a sponsor of the 2026 event.
Spam, a product of Minnesota-based Hormel Foods, hit shelves in 1937 and will mark its 90th anniversary next year. According to Hormel's website, Hawai‘i's affinity for Spam dates back to World War II, "when the luncheon meat was served to GIs. By the end of the war, Spam products were adopted into local culture, with fried Spam classic and rice becoming a popular meal. ... Today you'll find Spam dishes served everywhere from convenience stores to restaurants, reflecting a demand that is unmatched by any place in the world."
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Stephanie Salmons can be reached at stephanie@alohastatedaily.com.
