Hawaiian dishes are new arrivals on the local dining scene

Hawaiian doesn't often feature among the different cuisines available here, but a hotel promotion, and the opening of a new restaurant, is bringing us a taste of the Pacific islands.

Chef Bryan Nagao of new restaurant Town says that Hawaii has a reputation as "the melting pot of the Pacific." Typical dishes are Korean kalbi ribs, US Spam and locomoco, Filipino adobo, Portuguese sausage and Japanese teriyaki burgers.

Locomoco is a hamburger patty topped with a fried egg served on white rice and gravy.

Another way of getting a grip on the many influences that make up Hawaiian food is to think about the local potluck tradition, to which everyone brings a dish or two and drinks, says executive chef, Guy Higa of Kaua'i Marriott Resort.

Higa, a Hawaiian of Japanese extraction, says you are likely to see Japanese sushi or musubi, sashimi and tempura alongside Filipino lumpia, stir-fried noodles, roast whole pig and adobo. There will also be Chinese chicken and rice dishes, dim sum, steamed whole fish, and char siu.

Nagao makes food with a Hawaiian touch at Town, equally influenced by the ingredients and cooking of Italy, France and Japan.