# Hawaiian Chili Pepper

Also known as Nioi, Hawaiian Hot Pepper, Kona Pepper.
Species: Capsicum frutescens.

Hawaiian Chili Pepper is a Capsicum frutescens cultivar from Hawaii, United States. Capsi’s sourced range is 200,000 SHU (Official breeder). Flavor is bright heat, slightly smoky, clean finish. Used for Traditional Hawaiian chili pepper water (peppers steeped in vinegar-water with optional garlic, ginger, salt), fresh or cooked in poke, lau lau. Heat is a range, not a single marketing number.
About 8 times a Capsi Jalapeño (25,086 SHU typical).

## Heat sources

- 200,000 SHU · Official breeder
  Ted Radovich, Kevin Crosby, Glenn Teves, Alton Arakaki, Amjad Ahmad (2012) Hānai Ai / The Food Provider, March-April-May 2012 (CTAHR, University of Hawai'i) · HPLC
  https://gms.ctahr.hawaii.edu/gs/handler/getmedia.ashx?moid=3354&dt=3&g=12

- 50,000–75,000 SHU · Vendor Claim
  Hawaiian Chili
  https://heritageseedmarket.com/index.php/product/hawaiian-chili/

- 60,000–80,000 SHU · Unverified
  Hawaiian Chili Peppers – Info & Uses
  https://peppergeek.com/hawaiian-chili-pepper/

## Heritage

We don't have a documented family for this pepper yet.

## Page sources

- [Comprehensive profile with heat level, species, growing advice, flavor, and traditional uses for the Hawaiian Chili Pepper.](https://peppergeek.com/hawaiian-chili-pepper/)
- [Detailed botanical classification, history, appearance, flavor, heat range, and culinary applications for Hawaiian chile peppers.](https://specialtyproduce.com/produce/Hawaiian_Peppers_13746.php)
- [Cultural significance, traditional medicinal and food uses, and growing notes for Nioi / Hawaiian Chili Pepper from an indigenous food systems perspective.](https://natifs.org/blog/plant-card/nioi/)
- [Practical tropical growing guide, plant description, and kitchen uses for the Hawaiian Hot Pepper (Capsicum frutescens).](https://tropicalselfsufficiency.com/hawaiian-hot-pepper-capsicum-frutescens/)
- [University of Hawaii CTAHR research article measuring capsaicinoid content in Hawaii-grown chilies, including the classic Hawaiian type.](https://gms.ctahr.hawaii.edu/gs/handler/getmedia.ashx?moid=3354&dt=3&g=12)
- [Local Hawaii-specific information on Hawaiian Chili Peppers, Scoville range, and garden notes.](https://www.hawaiigardener.com/hawaiian-chili-peppers)

## 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.

Page: https://web.thecapsi.app/pepper/hawaiian-chili-pepper
Catalog: https://web.thecapsi.app/data