20140208-222322

Taro ("kalo") was brought to Hawaii on the voyaging canoes of the early settlers. Dryland kalo was dependent on rainfall while wetland kalo was grown in irrigated ponds. The corm (underground stem) of the kalo was steamed or boiled and mashed using a stone pounder. Water was added to make poi with a paste-like consistency. The basic diet of fish and poi was supplemented with banana, breadfruit, sweet potato, coconut and pig.