History of Pasteles in Hawaii

Pasteles, known as Pateles in Hawaii, has it's roots in Puerto Rico. Pasteles are a traditional dish of Latin America, similar to tamales but made with green bananas instead of corn. At the beginning of the 20th century, due to an overwhelming demand for Hawaiian Sugar, Sugarcane Plantations were faced with a lack of manpower. They started recruiting laborers from the island of Puerto Rico who were already experienced in the sugar industry. In 1900 the first group of Puerto Ricans landed in Hawai'i and brought with them their customs and food. Because of its rich and delicious flavor, the pastele quickly became a favorite in Hawai'i. Today, it has become a part of Hawaii's diverse local culture, with family recipes being passed down generation to generation. Every family recipe is unique in its own way. No two are alike. Here at Hawaii Island Pasteles, we are confident that our pasteles will appeal to everyone's tastes.