Ke Alahou, Volume I, Number 10, 1 December 1980 — Home Gardening: Poi [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Home Gardening: Poi

Poi remains a fundamental part of our diet as well as our culture. In the past poi satisfied the energy requirements of our ancestors and provided nutrients for foods they lacked like a variety of fresh fruits. Studies have shown poi to supply adequate amounts of thiamine and some other B vitamins; to have a high acidity like tomatoes; and to provide large amounts of starches, sugars and a small percent of protein (1-2%). It is said in a 1823 account that Hawaiians preferred poi when it was four to five days old. Researchers now believe that sour poi, besides being tastier, was easier to eat and kept well as compared to unpounded taro, sweet potato and 6readfruit. Yet, with all these benefits, modern Hawaiians are faced with the prob!ems of rising cost f or processed poi and recent shortages of poi at island markets. Frank and Mavis Cook of Waimea, Hawaii have found an alternative to this problem: growing and making their own poi. Their taro is grown in an area about the size of a living room and they use a stone burr mill, bought through a mail-order catalog. Using the mill they make a thick peanut-butter like pa'i 'ai (unmixed pounded taro) or 'ai pa*a as it is called by the people in Waimea, The mill is operated by a hand crank using two stone burrs. The stone burrs are soaked in water for about one minute and no water is needed for grinding, The Cooks have found that placing the stones with about 1/16 to 1/8 or less makes a fine pai 'ai that does not need any straining. After the taro has been thoroughly cooked and peeled, it is cut into small pieces to fit into the mouth of the mill. Afterwards, the cleaning is just as simple, soak the mill in water and wash. You ean order the mill from Garden Way Catalog, Charlotte, Vermont

05445 for $45.95 plus $3.75 for postage. (Catalog number 504,) We have iisted below the varieties of taro used for making poi, Today's processed poi is a blend of different types of taro and is mixed with water. — Our thanks to Frank and Mavis for their ingenuity and hospitality! Poi Taros Apowale, Apuwai, Eleele Makoko, Eleele Naioea, Elepaio, Haokea, Hapuu,' Kai Alā, Kai fCeā, Kai Uliuli, Kalalau, Kuoho, Lauloa Eleele-ula, Lehua Eleele, Lehua Keokeo, Lehua Maoli, Lehua Palaii, Manini Kea, Moi, Nihopuu, Ohe, Paakai, Papapueo, Piialii, Piko Eleele, Piko Kea, Piko Keokeo, Piko Lehua-apei, Piko Uaua, Piko Ulaula, Piko Uliuli, Pololu, Uahiapele, Ulaula Kumu, Ulaula Moano, and Wehiwa. Ka Hana Mahina'ai Poi 'O ka poi, he mea ma'a mau no ka kakou s ai 'ana ame ke 'ano nohona Hawai'i. A mamua. nia'oiia iho la na po'e kahiko me ka ho'oikaika i kino i ka 'ai pai. Nele lakou i na hua'ai e ho'opiha i ke kino me ka "ascorbic acid- vitamin C" aka, loa'a kekahimea like pu i ka 'ai poi. Ho'ike no hol kekahi mau palapala 'imi na'auao i ka ho'oikaika i ke kino i ka ,'ai poi no ka loa'a ka vitamin "thiamine" ame kekahi mau B vitamin; e loa'a nui loa ka "acidity" me he kamako ('ohi'a haole); a e loa'a mea starch, sugar a me kekahi mea li'ili'i'o protein (1-2%). Ma M.H. 1823, ua 'olelo 'ia, makemake ka po'e

kahiko i poi he poi i poha ai no 'eha a 'elima mau ia. Mana'o na po'e 'imi na'auao, [o ka poi 'awa'awa, he mea 'ai maika'i me pilikia 'ole, a 'a'ole e palahu wiki e like me ke kalo pa'a, 'uwala ame 'ulu, aka no na'e, ma keia manawa, iaha 'ole ka poipukele'ai ma ka makeke me ka ho'opi'i mau o ka 'uku ku'ai a pi'i loa. A Kahaha! I Waimea ma Hawai'i, e hana poi 4 o Frank ame Mavis Cook ma me ka lakou mau kalo e kanu a 'ohi ai, ma ko lakou mala li'ili'i (e like me ke akea o ka lumi noho o ka hale). A e wili poi laua me kekahi mikini pohaku wili i ku'ai 'ia mailoko o ka puke nana mea ku'ai a loa'a ka mea pa'i 'ai (ua kapa 'ia malaila, he 'ai pa'a, e na po'e paniolo o Waimea).. 'A'ole.loa he mea pa'akiki a ho'oluhi i ka hana no ka mea he hana wili lima. Malia, e ku i na pohaku ('elua pohaku wili) iloko o ka wai no minuke a 'a'ole ekahe wai iloko o ka mikini i kaloana wili. Ha'i mai 'o Cook ma e kpiu i na pohaku ma ka mikini me he wahi ka'awale lHH'i mawaena o ua mau pohaku nei (he 1/16 a 'emi) a loa'a ka pa'i 'ai maika'i me ka pu'upu'u 'ole. E ihi i ka lli % e 'oki ke kalo no ka ho'okomo *ana iloko o ka waha o ka mikini. Alaila e poi. Mahope, e hoioi i ka mikini me ke ku iloko o ka wai. Hiki ia 'oe ke ku'ai me ke kauoha ia Garden Way Catalog, Chariotte ma Vermont, 05445 no ka 'uku ku'ai he $45.95 ame $3.75 no ka po'oleka ame ka ho'okomo pahu (ka helu puke 'oia 504). A malalo iho nei he papa helu no na kalo e kui a wili poi, a e no'ono'o pono, o ka poi pukele'ai o keia manawa nui na 'ano kaio i hui pu 'ia me ka wai ~ loa'a ka poi pukele'aii E ha'awi ke aloha pumehana ia Frank ame Mavis Cook no ko laua akamai ame aloha ia makou.