Creamy, delicious, and higher in antioxidants than blueberries. Add more purple to your plate!
ʻUala in the Kitchen
What are sweet potatoes good for? This Hawaiʻi staple is used in a multitude of ways from potato chips to pie. Go beyond the simple steamed and sliced side dish you’re used to and transform ʻuala in ways you never imagined with these creative recipes from our community.
Mashed Purple Sweet Potato
Whip up a buttery batch of mashed purple sweet potato in less than 10 minutes with our recipe-ready ʻuala.
Purple Sweet Potato Pie
Vivid purple Okinawan sweet potato packs healthy antioxidants into this delicious pie recipe - pe...
Sweet Potato Bread
A simple sweet potato bread recipe perfect for an afternoon snack, french toast or bread pudding.
Substitute Imported Starches
In the early 1900s, sweet potatoes were the tenth most valuable agricultural crop in Hawai’i, reducing the need for wheat flour in pastries and occasionally acting as a substitute for animal feed.
Today, Hawaiʻi growers export millions of pounds of sweet potato to the continental U.S. annually while the state imports 99% of staples, including potatoes.
Sweet Potato: Past to Present
‘Uala, or sweet potatoes, have been a staple crop in Hawai‘i for centuries, with varieties introduced from South America by Polynesian voyagers centuries ago. Early Hawaiians appreciated this hardy tuber for its ability to thrive in drier climates. They used it to make ‘uala ho’omalamala, similar to poi, and ‘uala ‘awa’awa, an alcoholic beverage made of fermented mashed ʻuala and water. Our bright-purple Okinawan variety arrived in Hawai‘i during the plantation era and has become a local favorite.
Fun Fact: There are around 270 documented Hawaiian names for sweet potato cultivars.
Growing ‘Uala:
ʻUala is a drought-resistant crop that can be harvested year-round. Sweet potato is an excellent ground cover for newly established agroforestry systems.
Learn More About ʻUala
The Okinawan Sweet Potato: A Purple Powerhouse of Nutrition
The primary nutritional benefit, and the one for which Okinawan sweet potatoes are especially prized, is their high antioxidant levels.
Meet Our ʻUala Ambassador
Sarah is best known on Oʻahu for her farm-to-table events, her food and wellness blog The Healthy...
What is the Difference Between Purple Sweet Potato and Ube?
Many people confuse Okinawan sweet potato and ube because of their shared purple color so we're sharing the major differences and similarities between these plants.
Meet ʻUala's Co-Crops
Meet ʻUlu (Breadfruit)
A highly versatile and nutritious tropical fruit that has been a staple in Pacific Island diets for centuries.
Meet Kalo (Taro)
While the leaves are used to make steamy, succulent laulau and lūʻau, the root is made into paʻiʻ...
Meet Palaʻai (Pumpkin)
Sweet and savory, rich in vitamins and nutrients, good for the earth, and delicious in so many ways!