Food for the Future: Salt Makers in Hawaii

My friend Lori sent me this article about how the Native Hawaiian salt makers are protecting their sacred traditions.

Kauai’s salt ponds are featured in my picture book, Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World.

Here are some interesting excerpts from the article:

“Nobrega-Olivera believes Hanapepe salt has the power to ward off bad energy.”

“Taniguchi’s family is one of 22 who over generations have dedicated themselves to the cultural and spiritual practice of paakai, the Hawaiian word for salt. This is one of the last remaining salt patches in Hawaii. Its sacred salt can be traded or given away but must never be sold. Hawaiians use it in cooking, healing, rituals, and as protection.”

“Ocean water travels underground and enters the wells. Each family has its own well, known as a puna. As water enters the well, so do tiny, red brine shrimp, giving Hanapepe salt its unique sweetness, said Nobrega-Olivera.

Eventually, water from the wells is moved into the salt beds, which have been cleaned and lined with rich black clay. There, layers of salt crystals form. Typically, the top layer, which is the whitest, is used as table salt. The middle layer, pinkish, is used in cooking, while the bottom layer, with a deep red hue, is used in blessings and rituals.”

“Aloha aina captures our philosophy, the reason we do this,” Nobrega-Olivera said. “You take care of the land, and the land takes care of you.”

The full article is here: Salt Makers in Hawaii