Hawaiian Chili Pepper
Also known as Nioi · Hawaiian Hot Pepper · Kona Pepper
Iconic small hot chili pepper of Hawaii, known locally as Nioi. A Capsicum frutescens landrace prized for making traditional chili pepper water and adding authentic island heat to local cuisine. Heirloom plants are prolific producers in tropical climates.
About 8 times a Capsi Jalapeño (25,086 SHU typical).
Growing
~100 days to maturity
Fruit size
2–7 cm
Flavor & Use
Sharp and slightly smoky with bright, clean, building heat and subtle savory undertones.
Culinary
About
The Hawaiian Chili Pepper (Nioi) bears small, upright, bullet-shaped to conical pods 2–7 cm long that ripen from green through yellow-orange to bright red. Fruits have smooth skin and thin walls and grow erect on bushy, long-lived plants reaching 60–150 cm or more in favorable conditions. Flavor is sharp and slightly smoky with bright intense heat. It is a backyard staple across Hawaii and the key ingredient in traditional chili pepper water, a simple vinegar-based table sauce. Plants thrive in full sun and warm tropical weather, often fruiting continuously in island gardens.
Backstory
Peppers are not native to Hawaii, but this landrace of Capsicum frutescens arrived centuries ago, likely introduced by Spanish or Portuguese explorers, traders, or through bird dispersal between the 16th and 19th centuries. Known locally as Nioi, it naturalized rapidly and became deeply woven into Native Hawaiian and local foodways and traditional medicine. Today it is regarded as an iconic heirloom, grown in home gardens statewide and essential for authentic Hawaiian cooking and the famous chili pepper water condiment.
Appearance
Growing
Heritage
ExploreWe don't have a documented family for this pepper yet.
Sources
FAQ
- How hot is Hawaiian Chili Pepper?
- Capsi’s sourced range is 200,000 SHU (Official breeder). Capsi uses a sourced range and a trust tier, not a single marketing number. How we verify heat: https://web.thecapsi.app/learn/heat-and-capsaicin/how-we-measure-heat
- What does Hawaiian Chili Pepper taste like?
- Sharp and slightly smoky with bright, clean, building heat and subtle savory undertones.
- How do I grow Hawaiian Chili Pepper?
- Hawaiian Chili Pepper: about 100 days to maturity, tropical climate, full sun, hardiness zones 9-11.
- What can I substitute for Hawaiian Chili Pepper?
- Capsi does not have that recorded yet.