Hawaiian griller

Photo By Petty Officer 3rd Class Kellie Bliss | Petty Officer 3rd Class Alex Kaleikini and Religious Program Specialist 3rd Class Adam Donato, with Joint Task Force Guantanamo, chat about disc golf while preparing food for the grill at the Cuzco barracks, April 6. Kaleikini has a passion for cooking and grills for his friends every week. JTF Guantanamo conducts safe, humane, legal and transparent care and custody of detainees, including those convicted by military commission and those ordered released by a court. The JTF conducts intelligence collection, analysis and dissemination for the protection of detainees and personnel working in JTF Guantanamo facilities and in support of the War on Terror. JTF Guantanamo provides support to the Office of Military Commissions, to law enforcement and to war crimes investigations. The JTF conducts planning for and, on order, responds to Caribbean mass migration operations.  

GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA

04.16.2010

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Kellie Bliss 

Joint Task Force Guantanamo Public Affairs

On any particular day if you were to wander by "B" block of the Cuzco barracks, you might get a whiff of Hawaiian-inspired, flame-kissed steak, chicken and seafood coming from the grill of Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Alex Kaleikini or "Kal."

Cooking is Kal's passion.

"You name it, I cook it," said Kal. "[I cook] everything from seafood, steak, chicken to sausage."

Kal's culinary talent and down-to-earth personality has earned him his 15 Minutes of Fame.

Kal usually grills every night when he is not working. Originally from Ewa Beach in Hawaii, 30-year-old Kaleikini gained his culinary skills growing up with his family, who have a background in cooking.

"My father loved to cook, and from watching him for so many years I happened to pick it up," Kal said.

Also, Kaleikini's mother works as a chef in Ewa Beach, and has more than 20 years of experience in the culinary field. Ewa Beach is known for its delicious raw fish and spare ribs. Kal is reminded of his home when he grills.

"My mom can make some amazing island food including fish, beef, chicken and pork," Kal said. "The reason I grill is because it makes me feel like I am back at home."

Kaleikini values the health benefits of preparing his own food, as well as the camaraderie it develops.

"I find it healthier to cook than to eat fast food," Kal said. "I noticed it is a good way to bring friends together and have fun, share stories, play games and just hang out with each other."

One thing that keeps his friends coming back for more food is Kal's secret sauce.

"I use a local favorite from Hawaii," said Kaleikini "It's a secret sauce that uses soy bean."

Usually, a small crowd gathers around, waiting for his creations to be cooked to perfection. Kal regularly prepares meals for five to 10 people.

"Usually there is just a small group, nothing really big," Kal said. "There have been a few nights that I had a lot of people, and I think the more the merrier."

Kaleikini's passion for grilling food is well appreciated by his friends.

"Kal's steak, peppers and oysters are always amazing," said Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Clay Whitman. "If there was a cooking competition on island he would win, hands down."

Most of the time, Kal's friends realize there's no such thing as a free meal and pitch in whenever they can.

"I help him set up stuff sometimes, but for the most part Kal does everything on his own," Whitman said. "[I figure] he probably doesn't want too many people messing with his masterpiece. He is also trying to teach me how to cook."

• Date Taken: 04.16.2010
• Date Posted: 04.21.2010 15:36
• Story ID: 48475
• Location: GUANTANAMO BAY, CU