Our Slow Fish event at Fresh Café on September 11, 2013 seemed to have hit a nerve in our community. About 50 people attended this first-time event that was intended as a springboard for future discussions on all things fish.   

We built upon the superb work of the Monterey Bay Aquarium by showing their film "Can the Oceans Keep Up with the hunt?" about fishing practices and the depletion of our fish resources.  If you did not have a chance to attend the presentation, you may watch the video here.  

Following the video we had an awesome panel: John Kaneko, Hawai`i Seafood Council; Keli`i Kotubetey, Paepae o He`eia; Jason Philibotte, Hawai`i Fish Trust; David Sakoa, Marine Law Fellow; Brooks Takenaka, United Fishing Agency,and Kimi Werner, spearfisher and artist.

The discussion ranged from data on fish consumption to federal and regional fisheries management, to redirecting consumers to under-appreciated fish that are readily available, to reef fish vs deep sea fish, to protecting ocean resources. We consider this a first event to get our Slow Food community and those in attendance thinking about the topic.

Why did we select the topic of fish?  In part, we chose the theme to dovetail with Slow Food USA's emphasis on Slow Fish. The international Slow Fish campaign is launching initiatives that promote artisanal fishing and neglected fish species and inspire reflection on the state and management of the sea's resources. To have any chance of success, this reflection must start at a local level. We are seeking to recover the traditional wisdom of fishing communities, who often have not moved far from ancient fishing practices, the diets of past generations, and the known and unknown resources guarded by rivers, lakes and seas. All these things are part of our story and our identity.

Participants who attended received a copy of Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch Guide for Hawaii that outlines what fish to eat as well as avoid.  Be sure to download a copy and get to know the fish you eat (or shouldn't eat). 

Slow Food O'ahu looks forward to continuing this dialogue... so watch our newsletter for future announcements of events with a fish theme. 

Hawai'i International Film Festival - Food Films 

Various Dates in October 10 - 19, 2013

The Hawaii International Film Festival this fall will be featuring several films with food-related films. Please check the film festival website, http://www.hiff.org, for times, locations (either Dole Cannery or Koko Marina), and prices. Here are six films you foodies might not want to miss:

Final Recipe (English/Mandarin) - October 10 - (Opening Night) Shanghai, China. One of the most prestigious culinary competitions is under way. Julia hopes that her husband David, a former chef enters the contest and rediscovers his love for cooking. But, he'll have to compete against a young prodigy names Mark. Julia notices something peculiar about Mark, slowly realizing that the young prodigy and her husband resemble each other.

Tasting Menu (Catalan/Spanish) - October 10, 15. One of the greatest restaurants in the world is closing and an eclectic mix of international patrons have arrived in Catalonia for the final dinner service in this delicious ensemble comedy.

Zone Pro Site: The Movable Feast (Mandarin/Taiwanese) - October 12. Desperate to pay off their mounting debts, Wan and her mother Chu enter a national bandoh (traditional Taiwanese banquet) competition. Facing competition from Master Ghost Head, a master chef recently released from prison , and Hai the chef's protégé, Wan takes up the challenge and discovers the true spirit of bandoh.

A Tale of Samurai Cooking: A True Love Story (Japanese) - October 13, 16. Oharu marries into a prominent family known through the Kaga domain for their innovative cooking over many generations. Unfortunately Oharu's husband Yansunobu, the young heir of the family, isn't much of a chef. With the support of her new mother-in-law Oharu teaches Yasunobu how to cook and helps him live up to his father's expectations

The God of Ramen (Japanese) - October 15, 17, and 19. Kazuo Yamagishi is a ramen god. His ramen may seem like the traditional Tokyo-style ramen, but there is great depth in his culinary practice. From the shop's opening 50 years ago, Yamagishi manage to create his unique flavor, attracting customers from near and far.

Jadoo (English) - October 16, 18. Jadoo is the story of two brothers, both great chefs, who fall out so badly that they rip the family recipe book and set up rival restaurants across the street from each other. Twenty years later, it takes a daughter to mount a reunion, when she's determined to persuade the dueling brothers to cook her wedding banquet together.

(This is not a Slow Food O'ahu event but may be of interest to our members)

Hawai`i Public Radio's semi-annual pledge drive starts mid-October.  Our Slow Food O'ahu board will be in the HPR studios on Tuesday, October 22, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., to answer phones of community members phoning in their pledge. It would be absolutely fabulous if our Slow Food community would step up to the plate, as it were, to call with financial support for the station. We will be at HPR2, 89.3 on your dial, and would be delighted to take your calls.

Slow Food O'ahu Convivium website  

Slow Food Hawai'i Convivium website  

Slow Food International website

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