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Ultimate Memories Contest Winners and Finalist
Jo-Ann Morisato and family accept first prize for the Ultimate Memories Contest from Brent Kunimoto, President of Diamond Bakery.
First Prize Ultimate Memories Entry:
My fondest memories of Diamond Bakery Soda Crackers are those of my childhood when I spent most of my time at my grandma and grandpa’s house. Grandpa was a baker at Diamond Bakery and his pride was serving Diamond Bakery Soda Crackers. My cousins and I devoured those tasty crackers broken into little pieces on our chicken noodle soup!
Any time the neighbors came over, grandpa served them coffee and Diamond Bakery Soda Crackers with butter and guava jelly. I fondly remember the morning I was leaving for Japan on an exchange program. My parents and brother were on a trip and being home alone, I became apprehensive about taking my first trip abroad. My grandma asked me over to her house so she could talk to me one last time before I left. Arriving at grandma’s house, I was called over to where my grandpa had laid out Diamond Bakery Soda Crackers, butter, jelly, and juice! My grandparents didn’t say much. They didn’t have to. This was their special treat and way of telling me not to forget Hawaii and how important family traditions are. I left on the airplane that afternoon with a warm feeling and peaceful heart. My grandparents have long since passed away, but anytime I need a warm memory; I bring out the soda crackers, butter and guava jelly.
Jo-Ann Morisato
Second Prize: Arlene Y.
There is nothing like coming home to Royal Creem crackers for a snack!.....Growing up in a multi-family household in Kapahulu, I remember regular jaunts with my three cousins through the keawe forest and blissfully catching crayfish in the streams of what is now Kaimuki High School.
When we returned home, our parents were still at work so Popo whipped us up a simple yet yummy treat of Royal Creems. Merely embellished with guava or strawberry jelly, they were unbeatable! Amazing how something so simple could be so satisfying. Crispy smooth and delicately sweet-cremed, they could pass for dessert. Hungry and tired from a fully spent afternoon, the four of us just sat quietly around the large wooden kitchen table savoring each morsel. Those were special, warm, magical moments—the whole world was smiling.
Each of us was given only one cracker – no seconds. Times were hard, so Popo needed to save the rest for another day (and possibly a few for herself).
Royal Creems, a happy part of my childhood, was passed onto my daughter who also adores them – but she was allowed seconds. It is no surprise that we now prepare them for my grandchildren who snap them up in no time.
In my heart, Royal Creems will forever reign supreme.
Arlene Y.
I’ve been a nurse for many years and we know that soup and crackers, THE “treatment of choice” for almost any ailment…from tummy aches to headaches, toothaches to broken hearts. Your crackers often helped me and my patients, many of whom thought I “cured” them after they sipped a little soup and munched on a cracker or two. There were times in the middle of the night, when a patient alone in his bed, scared, worried, and not saying much would accept a creem cracker with a small cup of tea from me. I’d sit with him at his bedside and in a few short minutes, he would start talking... about his fears, deep personal fears…one he didn’t have the courage to talk to his family about. Maybe there’s a little secret ingredient in those crackers that helped my patients and me get through those silent trials. All the credit goes to you, Diamond Bakery…you’re better than some of the most advanced medical technology. I think you’re a miracle!
Doreen A.
Diamond Bakery crackers are good anytime, anywhere, as a meal or a snack, but my fondest memory is while sailing as a crew member on board the voyaging canoe, Hokulea, traveling thought he South Pacific.
Diamond Royal Creem, Soda and Saloon Pilot crackers are one of the staples for all long voyages. Besides tasting good, the convenience and ease – especially in rough weather, used either as a meal – Diamond Soda crackers topped with tuna, or as a snack – Diamond Saloon Pilot crackers with peanut butter and jelly, or to accompany a cup of coffee or hot cocoa.
One favorite that became a regular amongst our crew was “Hawaiian Ice Cream”, There’s nothing like being out at sea, standing watch under a star filled sky, the cool ocean breeze and sound of the waves lapping against the hulls! “Hawaiian Ice Cream” would fill you up and warm your tummy!! Whether it be a midnight snack or breakfast, it was fast and easy to make! Boil water, pour a package of instant hot cocoa in a big saimin bowl, crumble some Diamond Saloon Pilot and Soda crackers in the hot cocoa, top it off with a big scoop of peanut butter, mix it all up, and there you have it – “Hawaiian Ice Cream”! Oh so ono!!
And then the empty cracker buckets were great for storing and carrying personal items, used as a sitting stool and even a toilet seat!!
Diamond Bakery crackers are one item we will never voyage without.
Moana D.
Ahh…Diamond Soda Crackers – no other food like it.
Eat it plain or with butter.
Eat it with deviled ham or jam.
Eat it with peanut butter or tuna.
Top it with sardines cooked in shoyu/sugar.
Top it with deviled eggs.
Top it with avocado drenched in sugar.
Slurp it in soup – no lumps, no clumps – just warm satisfying feelings in your tummy.
Slip it in your hand bag or your pocket. It will surely come in handy.
Besside I.
Whenever my children would go to visit their Great Grandma, she would always give them Diamond Bakery Animal Cookies. They would take much delight in eating this tasty treat, and because they would always get them from Grandma, they lovingly named them, “Grandma’s Cookies”. Well, 2 years ago, their grandma passed away, and every now and then, my children will see the cookies in the store and ask for Grandma’s Cookies. It’s a little reminder to keep your Grandma’s memory alive and a special way to remember all the good times that we shared together. Thank you for listening to my very special memory
Darlene K.
Tutu’s Man
This talk story of my early years with Saloon Pilot Crackers and Diamond Bakery now is a “No Kai Best”.
I am 81 years, a Kupuna. Kupuna love to snack all day everywhere and look for anything free.
The crackers were breakfast, lunch, dessert or a box treat. Mom made crackers open face sandwiches with devil egg, olives, tuna pickles salad and mayonnaise. This was comfort food. We had broken off Diamond Bakery Royal Creem Crackers mixed with ice cream for dessert. Tutu man’s payday end of the month bought packages of Saloon Royal Creem Crackers and broken up like an animal cookie at .50 cents a large bad. These goodies were purchased form a Chinese Bakery named “Ho Poe Kee” though long have retired. They baked the best “Okole” Bread so crunchy on the outside and so soft inside and each with anchor butter. We drank a warm can of alpine cream, water, with coco powder. This bakery was next to the Royal School at the corner, Queen Emma and Lusitana. Our family of six had these treats growing up till today and look forward to Long’s weekend sales so we can stock up.
Ethel L.
I remember having soda crackers and tea for lunch throughout my elementary school years. Living across my school allowed me to leave the grounds with permission. Not having a mom to prepare meals and dad gone to work. I was on my own. I honestly think soda crackers are credited to my survival, I am grateful and I loved it and still do till today. I’m 75 years young. God bless you and your family for making these soda crackers.
Dottie K.
When I think of Diamond Bakery, I think back to times when I directed a pre-school and the cookies were on the top of my shopping list. We had 50 children and they all loved the cookies. When I used the animal cookies, it became a zoo as the children guessed what animal they had and made the sounds as they ate the cookies. Trying to stand the animal cookies up on a blob of peanut butter on top of a graham cracker was challenging. The greatest challenge came when we served the mixed variety of the little round cookies. They were just the right size for the little children, but all of the children wanted the ones with sprinkles. It certainly made snack time memorable, for the children and teachers.
Don Y.
During the war years, our family was lucky to meet 3 GI’s that became part of our family. One was Arthur Fassberg, an artist from New York; Phil Miller, a musician from New York, and Ralph Bingham, an engineer from Nebraska.
They wanted coconuts from our trees in Kahuku. After Dad returned from an errand, he picked and husked some for the young military gentlemen. They all became fast friends with our family. That night, they were invited to stay for supper.
As our friendship grew, they came over any free time they had. Dad taught them Japanese so they would not be fooled by the enemy. They even sang Japanese songs. They taught us art, music, and math skills as repayment for our parents’ kindness.
One night after dinner, Uncle Arthur made a special dessert for my sister and I. He placed a scoop of ice cream in a pyrex dish and took all the different animal crackers from the Diamond Bakery bag. He arranged them as if they were going around on a carousel. This was so much of a delight to us as youngsters.
This memory of that dessert and Uncle Arthur will be forever with me.
Mrs. S.
I can’t remember how young I was before I first tasted a Diamond Saloon Pilot Cracker. I remember seeing my younger siblings chewing on it as they were teething. It got so soft and mushy it seeped between their fingers; but it was still crispy on the inside.
While heading home from school I would often thing about snacking on Diamond Saloon Pilots. Mom packed it for picnics too; and allowed us to eat it after meals as dessert. We hat to eat it over a plate or at the sink because it was so crispy that it quickly crumbled. I sometimes have a piece between my teeth and several pieces in both hands. You learn very quickly to catch it correctly or else you would get the guava jelly or buttered side on your hands. If I dropped it on the floor, even if the jellied side touched the floor, I’d pick up every crumb and place it in my mouth. “ummm good!”
On hot summer nights, dad would switch off the single bare light bulb in the living room. The windows and screens were left open to let out the termites. Us kids would bring their individual plate of Diamond Saloon Pilots and sat on the cool linoleum floor. The radio would be on the stool which we surrounded and listen to: Baby Snooks; Lone Ranger & Tonto; The Shadow Knows; and X minus 1. Sometimes I would eat my cracker while lying on my back; and the crumbs would fall and “tickle” down my neck and into my pajama shirt. “Oi!” I’d say. Without moving a muscle, I would feel around and get it before I stood up so it won’t fall on the floor. Sometimes, our bare foot would squash a crumb or two.
I like eating it plain, but toasting was my favorite way of eating Diamond Saloon Pilot. “Ouch!” I would yell and quickly stick my fingers into my mouth, while my hands in the air and juggling the cracker, shouting, “AHH, AH, SO HOT, HOT!” Sometimes I buttered it and spooned sugar in the middle. Then I’d tilt it around until the entire surface was coated over the melted butter. Sometimes we sprinkled cinnamon on top of the sugar.
Ahhh, but the ultimate treat was watching a thin stream of sweet cream oozing out of the small hole in the can. I’d dribble in circles, like a bulls eye, or made zig-zag designs. Boy that was fun, and the taste – “Ohh Soo –broke da mouth good!” I experimented and toasted the cracker till it was “kogare (not fully black)” and enjoyed eating it with the above receipes too. I sometimes would playfully nibble around the edges until I had a tiny piece left and plopped into my mouth.
After eating it; I would lick every speck between my fingers. I thought, “…shall I make another?” Many times, the answer was “YES!” Sometimes I would wash it down with an ice cold glass of milk/ovaltine.
When I eat Diamond Saloon Pilot today, I think, “eh they look small now. But then, I’d say, “Ash, Its probably because my hands are so much bigger now”. “Oh sigh, the crumb of it all.”
Walt M.
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