SPAMMY jammed in a much warmer climate this past weekend.

The mascot for SPAM products participated in the first-ever Waikiki SPAM Jam, which was held April 3 through 5 in Honolulu.

The event, not sponsored by Hormel Foods Corporation, celebrated Hawaii's love of the canned spiced ham. Hawaii consumes 6.7 million cans of SPAM products every year, making it the largest United States consumer of SPAM, according to the Waikiki Improvement Association and coordinator of the event.

The event kicked off with an attempt to make the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest SPAM musubi, a Hawaiian dish. Musubi consists of SPAM in a teriyaki glaze and rice wrapped in a thin layer of seaweed.

"It's a very popular treat," said Jim Austin, director of public relations of Outrigger Hotels & Resorts, which is part of WIA.

Using more than 275 cups of steamed rice, 500 slices of SPAM and 208 feet of nori (seaweed wrap), participants created a 132-foot, six-inch-long musubi.

The rest of the weekend consisted of activities familiar to Austin's SPAM Jam, including recipe contests, entertainment and appearances by SPAMMY.

About 25,000 people were expected to attend. Festival goers could even enter to win a round-trip for two to Austin to visit the SPAM Museum.

"Since more SPAM products are consumed here in Hawaii than in any other state, it's fitting that we help celebrate one of the state's favorite foods," said Hoagy Gamble, president of LH Gamble, the sales representative for Hormel Foods in Hawaii.

Cari Quam can be reached at 434-2235 or by e-mail at :mailto:cari.quam@austindailyherald.com