A Taste of Local Hawaiian Grindz

Franco grew up eating Saimin from “small time.” Like many folks that grew up in Hawai’i, he ate Saimin, Spam, and BBQ sticks long before even seeing his first box of oatmeal or cereal. The savory aromas of Spam and cabbage, pansit, pork adobo and Portuguese sausage, eggs and rice would welcome him at lunch and dinners. Saimin has brought back so many fond memories of home. His mom and dad would load up the kids in their two-toned station wagon and head down to Kalihi Valley to a local Saimin Shop across the street from his alumni, Farrington High School. You could smell the saimin broth and teriyaki BBQ sticks from the parking lot long before getting into the restaurant! He fondly recalls going “holo holo” around Waikiki to check out the tourist night life before returning home and playing music with friends and family.