HONOLULU — National Spam Musubi Day is coming up on Aug. 8, and the folks at L&L Hawaiian Barbecue intend to celebrate the occasion by continuing its annual tradition of giving away a free Spam musubi.

What You Need To Know

  • L&L Hawaiian Barbecue established National Spam Musubi Day on Aug. 8, 2021, with former Hawaii Gov. David Ige making it official through public proclamation

  • Customers can get a free Spam musubi by downloading the L&L Hawaii app and presenting a coupon at any of the participating L&L franchises across the U.S. on Aug. 8

  • Over 1,500,000 Spam musubi have been sold annually throughout all its locations

All customers need to do is download the L&L Hawaii app and present the coupon at any of the participating L&L franchises across the U.S. on Aug. 8.

L&L established National Spam Musubi Day on Aug. 8, 2021, with former Hawaii Gov. David Ige making it official through public proclamation.

Why Aug. 8? Simple: it corresponds to Hawaii’s area code, 808.

Along with the free Spam musubi distribution on Aug. 8, L&L is selling limited-edition T-shirts created by Hawaii-based World Wide Walls Artist 7Sketches.

“I am incredibly proud to see the recognition and love for L&L’s National Spam Musubi Day not just here in Hawaii, but across the entire nation,” said L&L Hawaiian Barbecue Chief Executive Officer Elisia Flores in a news release.

“When we first introduced National Spam Musubi Day in 2021, we never could have imagined the overwhelming response and the way it has captured the hearts and taste buds of people from coast to coast. It’s truly a testament to the unique and irresistible flavors that a Spam musubi offers, and we are thrilled to be at the forefront of this celebration, showcasing the culinary heritage of Hawaii.”

According to the Hormel Foods website, the company first introduced Spam luncheon meat to the nation in 1937. But it wasn’t until 1941 that the canned meat became a staple, specifically to America’s troops, as over 100 million pounds of the protein were shipped abroad to feed them and allied troops during World War II.

It seemed that wherever American troops were stationed, Spam was incorporated into the local diet. The same is true in Hawaii with its strong military presence before and after WWII.

A Time article noted that it was Kauai resident Barbara Funamura who is credited with inventing the block of rice topped with a slice of Spam wrapped in a piece of nori. She started selling Spam musubi out of her shop, Joni-Hana at Kukui Grove Center, in the early 1980s.

Funamura died in May 2016 at the age of 78. In an article written by Dennis Fujimoto of The Garden Island newspaper posted on Nichibei.org, Fujimoto writes that Funamura was a nutritionist, entrepreneur and the originator of the Spam musubi.

In the article, husband Dan said, “It all started at Joni-Hana more than 30 years ago.” Within a year, he said Spam musubi was popular throughout the state.

L&L franchises have over 220 locations across 14 states with locations in Japan. Over 1,500,000 Spam musubi have been sold annually throughout all its locations.

Sarah Yamanaka covers events, environmental and community news for Spectrum News Hawaii. She can be reached at sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.