Hilo Macaroni Factory Closed

It was announced today that Hilo Macaroni Factory closed.

They haven't made macaroni in more than 50 years, but are well known for their local Saloon Pilot Crackers.

The crackers, the size of a compact disc was one of my longtime favorite breakfast or snack foods. The best way to eat them was with peanut butter or having them toasted, spreading them with butter and sprinkling with cinamon.

Hilo Macaroni was in business for more than 100 years.

In addition to the Saloon Pilots, they also baked Hilo Creme Crackers and Hilo Soda Crackers.

Today I bought the last 2 packs of Soda Crackers at Daiei along with a box of Creme Crackers. The Saloon Pilots were already gone.

Hilo Macaroni also made the Hilo One Ton Chips.

Anyone else have comments about these famous local crackers?

Comments

I remember our class trips to the factory to see the crackers being made when really we were waiting for the end when the workers would give us the broken ones to eat. I can't believe they are closing and there will be no more of those yummy Saloon Pilots and Creme Crackers. One of my favorite snacks as a child and even as an adult though I haven't had it in quite a long time was breaking up the Saloon Pilots in a bowl, sprinkling them with suger and then pouring milk over them. I know it doesn't sound appealing but it was soooo yummy. Or how about putting condensed milk on them? I feel as though a part of my childhood is gone.

For some reason my family always bought Diamond Brand crackers...I just had a saloon last night after i heard the news. Better stock up!

Saloon Pilots with crunchy peanut butter and jelly...saloon p's with tuna or egg salad...creme crackers dunked in coffee or hot cocoa...creme crackers with Nutella! damn. I'll miss them! I gotta run to Long's tomorrow.

BTW, Maebo Noodle Factory makes those One Ton chips...

Oh, man, I loved Saloon Pilot crackers. So does my mom, and her mom! In fact, I know for certain there are at least half a dozen boxes of them in my mom's pantry right now. Those ladies will no doubt cherish them like gold, now.

Slathered with peanut butter, or even just butter... especially with tomato-based soups. Mmm...

The creme crackers are going too? Aue!

OK.. it's a good thing the One Ton Chips are made by someone else. At least I don't have to stock up on that.

Long ago when I was a kid and living on the Big Island, my sister, not me went to the cracker factory and she brought home a big box of saloon pilots... these were the cracked one and those that were a little overbaked... kind of burnt... but they tasted better!

My dad liked them with condensed milk on top. Real plantation, yeah?

So sad! I just took it forgranted that the crackers would always be there. Most of the stores were already sold out by lunch time yesterday after the Tribune carried the story in the morning paper.

I used to eat Saloon Pilot Crackers with butter and guava jelly, the Creme Crackers with peanut butter, and the Soda Crackers with cocoa. My dad used to put mini marshmallows on the soda crackers and bake them in the oven until the marshmallows melted and were ligt brown on top . . . yum!

There may be one last chance for some people to buy another package of saloon pilots. It was reported in today's Star Bulletin that Hilo Macaroni will churn out one last run of crackers this coming Tuesday. I'm sure the crackers will be available to anyone who shops early on the Big Island... I don't know about the rest of the state.

Pretty good response by Lee Cataluna here.

Just returned from a trip and was so sad to hear about the closing of Hilo Macaroni Factory. While I loved the creme and saloon pilot, the best animal crackers were the Hilo Macaroni brand--nothing can compare. It's so sad to see them go.

Just returned from a trip and was so sad to hear about the closing of Hilo Macaroni Factory. While I loved the creme and saloon pilot, the best animal crackers were the Hilo Macaroni brand--nothing can compare. It's so sad to see them go.

Got a post card yesterday informing me of the closing of Hilo Macaroni Factory. Just bought a small box last week. So sad! This was one of my favorites eats connecting me back to my hometown Hilo. Aloha and Mahalo to the Ikeda family for all the onolicious years!

With Hilo Macaroni crackers a thing of the past now, I have noticed that the Diamond brand have increased their prices.

A year ago the big pack of Diamond soda crackers were under $2 and often about $1.50 on sale. Today the same pack of crackers now sell for more than $3.00.... the sale price was $2.59 about 2 weeks ago at Daiei.

My mom told me the funniest story about the factory. My mom kicked my dad out of her house and left his stuff at the factory. My dad (stephen ikeda) couldn't find his stuff. The prisioners that came to work at the factory had all my dads clothes on. lol. Thats one thing i will remember about the factory.

I am sooo sad! I love Hilo crackers. No wonder since I have been gone from Maui (14 years) no one can find them when I ask them to bring them back for me. The world lost a wonderful food substance@

Does anyone know how we can get the recipe for Hilo Creme Crackers.....
Any other factories coming out with them...?
I just new it... that they would be gone...
so sad
all the little ones without the chance to munch on something so good....

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