ʻOno Grilled with Paʻakai & Kiawe — The Definitive
One of 208 entries · Pacific Migration Trail
Hawaiian
The simplest and most Hawaiian preparation: a fresh fish grilled over kiawe charcoal with nothing but paʻakai. This entry represents not a specific fish but the technique itself — the Hawaiian approach to grilled fish that applies to ono, mahi-mahi, ʻopakapaka, aku, or any fresh catch. The kiawe (mesquite) provides a distinctive, slightly sweet smoke. The paʻakai provides the seasoning. The fire provides the heat. The fish provides everything else. Three elements: fish, salt, fire. This is the Hawaiian kitchen at its most essential.
Fresh fish, paʻakai, kiawe fire. Nothing else.
visual: char marks from the grill. Aroma: kiawe smoke, salt, clean fish. Texture: crisp exterior, moist interior. Taste: the fish, amplified…
The fish must be fresh enough to need nothing else. If you need sauce, lemon, butter, or herbs, the fish is not fresh enough for…