Okolehao

Okolehao is an alcoholic spirit whose main ingredient is the root of the Ti plant. Okolehao is called 'oke' by the native Hawaiians whose ancestors were the first to make it. Okolehao started out as a beer and when distillation techniques were introduced by the Haoles (English seaman) it was distilled into a high proof spirit.The natives discovered that if you baked the ti root a sweet liquid migrated to the surface of the root. They did not know that chemically, the heat changed the starch in the root to a fermentable sugar. The baked root was then soaked in a vat of water which dissolved the sugar and fermentation began to take place. The resulting beer was drunk and the natives obtained a good buzz. The beer was later distilled into a high proof spirit which was prized by the King.

Over the years the local folks continued to produce okolehao beer and distillates. When sugar cane was introduced to the islands the natives added sugar as another fermentable. When pineapple was introduced, this too was added for its sugar content. Taro, another fermentable was also added along the way. When the Japanese and Chinese immigrants arrived to work in the sugarcane and pineapple fields they brought with them their native rice. The propagated rice was also added to the formula. By the beginning of World War II, the locals were producing okolehao of various formulations, all of which were sold to the US military located at the many bases in Hawaii. Spirit alcohol made from grains was rationed during the war and used for fuel by the various military forces. The resulting shortage was good for okolehao sales. When the war was over, the production of okolehao gradually died out as rum and vodka became readily available and better tasting than the crude native okolehao.

Just as moonshine on the mainland was produced using various formulas. Hawaiian moonshine, okolehao, was produced using various fermentable ingredients. The more raw sugar used, the better the okolehao. Aging in used whiskey barrels also improved the flavor.

Today, okolehao, Hawaiian moonshine, is still produced illegally in small quantities. There is currently no commercial production of okolehao. While the Bureau of Alcohol and Tobacco, now the TTB, once recognized okolehao as a class and type, like vodka, gin, bourbon, tequila, whiskey, etc., it is now recognized as a distilled speciality spirit, DSS.^[1]

References

External links

• Will new 'okolehao be your cup of ti?

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