Mochi Making at UH Hilo

Ke Kalahea November Fall 2020

Island community leaders Pualani Kanakaole Kanahele, Edward Haleal- oha Ayau and Kelii W. Iaone Jr. filed a lawsuit against the State of Hawai`i explaining that the state failed to obtain authorization from the De- partment of Hawaiian Home Lands or the Hawaiian Homes Commission to build the Maunakea Access Road on Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) land in 1964. Therefore, subsequent use of the land has been unlawful, and the DHHL has failed in its duties to act exclusively in the interests of its beneficiaries, the Native Hawaiian people. Photo Source: Caralyn Fitzpatrick

assignment. Ke Kalahea didn’t hear from any of his students by press time. Mochi Making at UH Hilo In early Japanese society, rice was held A Brief History of the Japanese Rice Cake in very high esteem, according to the book, “The History and Culture of Delicatessen Japanese Food” by Naomichi Ishige. Writer: Victoria Jose When a new emperor would ascend Graphic Designer: Naomi Lemieux the throne, it was believed that the sacred imperial power was weakened. f you were to walk by a dessert ta- first-to-reserve basis. “I thought that it In order to be reinvigorated, the new ble at a party in Hawaiì, chances would be something fun, simple, and emperor had to partake of rice and are, you’re going to see mochi — a still fall within CDC guidelines that sake (also made from rice) from the Ismall, often colorful, rice cake dessert students could do” said SAC Event first harvest. This idea of rice being covered in potato starch. The Student Planner Natalia Zelaya. She became revered would also pass on to mochi, Activities Council realizes that this is inspired after talking with a local Ishige states in her book. such a common delicatessen in Ha- student who said they wanted to see waiì the organization wanted to give more activities centered around local It is a dessert that was originally their fellow students an opportunity practices. “It is a staple of the islands enjoyed during certain holidays such to learn how to make it. and a treat we all enjoy.” as Girls Day, March 3, and Children’s Day, May 5. The main ingredient is a On Nov. 2, SAC will host a “Mochi Ke Kalahea reached out to Yoshiko sweet rice, which can be used in flour Making Monday.” Due to COVID-19 Okuyama, Ph.D., a Japanese Studies form or in the natural form. Tradi- restrictions, the event will only be professor at UH Hilo, seeking his tionally, the rice would be steamed, in the form of a “grab and go.” This commentary on the virtue of mochi placed in a wooden mortar and involves students picking up mo- in Japanese culture, why it’s tradition- pounded with a long handled wood- chi-making kits from the SAC office. ally eaten on certain holidays and its en mallet, according to Ishige’s book. Kits include ingredients to make the significance in Hawaiì. Okuyama Once pounded, the mochi is covered mochi, along with a pamphlet offer- found the questioning so “interest- in kinako, a yellow flour made from ing instructions and a brief history of ing” he planned to ask his students to soybean. Mochi came to Hawaiì mochi. The kits will be available on a answer them as part of an extra credit with the many thousands of Japanese

13 KE KALAHEA NOVEMBER FALL 2020

sugar plantations workers, according Th is is especially true for the family to her, but it was her aunt that would to “Th e Making of Asian America” members of Nora Uchidal, the owner teach her the mochi making way. Th is by Erika Lee. In January of 1885, of Two Ladies Kitchen in Hilo. It is would later inspire the name of the 941 of the fi rst Japanese Immigrants widely known for its long lines out restaurant we know today. Nora and came to Hawai`i. By 1924, there were the door, with people seeking their her aunt are the original “two ladies.” 200,000 who would make their way to famous mochi.Nora’s grandparents However, not everything would stay the islands, Lee’s book states. Most of were just one of many that came to traditional. Th ey adapted their recipes the Japanese immigrants were young work in the sugar fi elds, according to to refl ect their Hawaiian life. If you men, known as dekasegi, or sojourn- a “Great Big Story,” which is a docu- walk into the shop today, you will ers. Some chose to settle down and mentary about Two Ladies Kitchen have a choice of lilikoi, or even straw- either brought their families or sent posted on YouTube. Her grandmother berry, mochi. home for a Japanese picture bride. was the fi rst one to introduce the treat Preparing mochi was one way that To reserve your kit and see other they preserved their culture from events hosted by SAC, visit their web- afar. site at https://hilo.hawaii.edu/campus- center/sac/events.php

Mochi Recipe

While it cools, coat a Should you fi nd yourself You will need: pan or plate with the unable to pick up a kit potato starch. Peel the from SAC, but you still 2 cups mochiko fl our mochi out of the pan and want to try your hand 1 cup sugar place it in the powdered at making mochi, then 2 cups water area. Take a plastic go ahead and try this ½ teaspoon vanilla extract knife and cut the mochi easy microwave recipe (optional) into small pieces. If you courtesy of Hawaiian ¼ teaspoon food coloring fi nd that the mochi is Electric. (optional) sticking to your fi ngers, Potato or Corn starch coat them with some of the starch. Once cut, Mix all the ingredients coat each piece with more until a smooth paste forms. potato starch and enjoy. Grease a 5-cup microwave It’s best to eat it safe dish. Cook for ten quickly as it can go bad minutes on high power. if left sitting out for a few days.