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Welcome to a new series for Maui Insight, MI Asks the Locals, which does just that: We pose a single question, and ask 6 locals who we randomly run across on island for their thoughts.
With that said, let’s see what Maui locals think when we ask, “What is crack seed?”
Erica Matsui, 31, of Kula
“Crack seeds are preserved fruits that have been cracked or split with the seed or kernel partially exposed as a flavor enhancement. I never leave home without it. Beach, crack seed.
Airplane, crack seed. Open house, party, gathering, crack seed, crack seed, crack seed.”
Mike Muir, 51, of Makawao
“They grow that stuff? Auntie told me people been eating crack seeds for as long as she can remember, came from like China or something. They are nice to carry in bags when we’re out in the forest searching for mushrooms and stuff.”
Karen Johannson, 29, of Kihei
“Crack seed is a popular local snack in Hawaii, and it comes in a variety of shapes, sizes, and flavors. In the old days, when kids were done with all the crack seeds in a bag, they would lick the paper sack to not waste any of that super sweet flavor.”
Paka Lolo, 74, of Hana
"As they say, a seed has to crack and break to grow. Here, fruit seeds must crack to make crack seed taste good. Otherwise we would have to go needing until they made more. Luckily they are able to crack plenty of seeds, and we always have killa snacks.”
Kevin White, 54, of Wailea
“I saw that bag at Foodland, and can’t believe they would name it like that! Couldn’t they have just worded it better, like ‘Fruit Seeds Cracked for Flavor!’? Anyway, I finally bought a bag, and since I moved here in 2020, it’s become my favorite snack at pickleball, or before and after snorkeling. My wife splits a bag for before and after yoga.”
Beldar Beldar, 46, of Wailuku
“Also known as Li Hing Mui, or See Mui, crack seed is a variety of dehydrated and preserved fruits. It came from China, where long ago before canned goods were around, merchants moving west across difficult terrain carried dehydrated fruits to supplement the plain rice they mostly ate.
“The salt in crack seed helped long-distance travelers by replenishing salt lost to perspiration. The preserved fruits also help the body retain water, which helps to avoid or lessen muscle cramps. In a weird way, crack provides a perception of quenching thirst!
“Many generations of Hawaii kids considered crack seed stores like mainland towns would treat candy stores. It was brought here by the first Chinese plantation workers, who needed the meal supplement because vegetables and meat were too expensive for them to afford all the time.
“By the mid-19th century, crack seed was packaged and delivered to the general population as inexpensive snacks in a bag.
More on the history of crack seed in Hawaii can be discovered here.
