Alaea salt (Hawaiian red salt)
Hawaiian sea salt mixed with red volcanic clay, used in kalua pig and poke and in blessing ceremonies.
ʻAlaea paʻakai
At a glance
| Origin | Hawaiʻi, United States |
|---|---|
| Type | Specialty salt |
| How it's made | Unrefined sea salt is mixed with ʻalaea, a volcanic clay rich in iron oxide. |
| Colour and texture | Brick red and coarse. |
| Best for | Kalua pig, poke, pipikaula (Hawaiian jerky), and as a colourful finishing salt. |
| Swap with | Coarse sea salt (without the colour). |
| Buying tip | One author claims most alaea salt sold in the US is made in California; true Hawaiian-made alaea salt is expensive and hard to find. |
The story
Native Hawaiians developed their own salt pans (loʻi paʻakai). Of the old salt works at Āliamanu, Kawaihae and Hanapēpē, only Hanapēpē on Kauaʻi still makes salt. Alaea salt was traditionally used to cleanse and bless tools, canoes, homes and temples. In the 1800s Hawaiian salt was shipped to the Pacific Northwest to cure salmon.
Salt words on this page
Similar salts
India and South Asia · Specialty saltKala namak (Indian black salt)kiln-fired, eggyBest for Chaat, raita, tofu scramble
South Korea · Specialty saltBamboo salt (jugyeom)roasted nine timesBest for Seasoning
Philippines · Specialty saltAsin tibuok (“dinosaur egg” salt)the dinosaur eggBest for Grated over hot riceCite this page
For school projects and reports. Teachers often prefer the original sources too: see the list below.
The Salt Almanac. (2026, November 8). Alaea salt (hawaiian red salt). https://saltalmanac.com/salts/alaea-salt
“Alaea salt (Hawaiian red salt) | Salts of the World.” The Salt Almanac, 8 Nov. 2026, saltalmanac.com/salts/alaea-salt. Accessed [today's date].
“Alaea salt (Hawaiian red salt) | Salts of the World.” The Salt Almanac. Last modified November 8, 2026. https://saltalmanac.com/salts/alaea-salt.
Original sources
- Wikipedia. Alaea salt. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaea_salt