Hawaii’s favorite grain celebrated at this year’s Rice Fest (KHON)

Hawaii’s favorite grain celebrated at this year’s Rice Fest (KHON)

Source: KHON

The 5th Annual Rice Fest took over Auahi Street at Ward Warehouse on Sunday.

Headlining the event, the first ever attempt to set the Guinness world-record for the largest loco-moco.

It’s expected to weigh more than 1,100 pounds.

There was also a Spam musubi eating contest.

Rice Fest organizers were inspired to create this event by the mixture of cultures in Hawaii.

“I guess ’cause we are in Hawaii, all the cultures, they use rice,” Edward Sugimoto, co-founder of Rice Fest, said. “Japanese, Chinese, Filipinos, Koreans, everybody uses rice, I figured. Especially in Hawaii, it’s a great place for the melting pot. Everyone shares rice with others. It’s all love.”

KHON2’s very own Manolo Morales helped host some of the rice demonstrations.

The event was also a benefit for the Lanakila “Meals on Wheels” program.