Banana and Macnut pancakes. Photo by Vanessa Wolf

The US Senate unanimously passed a bipartisan resolution designating the week beginning June 12 as National Hawaiian Foods Week.

Introduced by Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaiʻi and co-sponsored by Senator Mazie Hirono of Hawaiʻi, and others, Senate Resolution 416 honors Hawaiʻi’s contributions to the culinary heritage of the United States and raises awareness of Hawaiian foods.

Mark Taira, CEO of King’s Hawaiian said the movement will provide greater visibility and success to Hawaiian food manufacturing, agriculture and culinary industries. The company was founded in Hilo Hawaii in 1950 and now has bakeries in California and Georgia where they have created nearly 600 new jobs.

The Teriyaki Mochiko Spam Musubi. Photo by Vanessa Wolf

Senator Schatz said “Sharing the foods we’ve grown up with is integral to sharing the very culture of our state.”

Organizers have launched a Hawaiian Foods Week website featuring recipes, information and prizes.  Partner brands include: King’s Hawaiian, Dole, Mauna Loa, Kona Brewing Company and SPAM.