Aloha! My name is Katherine, but some of you may know me as Kahiau.
I was born and raised in Hawaii. I experienced quite the culture shock when I attended college in Washington. I knew Hawaiian culture was different from that of the continental US, but I didn’t understand the depth of those differences until I started living away from the Islands. I have learned to cherish the uniqueness of Hawaii and Hawaiian culture as I have grown older and built a life for myself in California with my husband and our scruffy pup Rufus. I dance hula with my hālau, Kūhai Hālau O Kaponookalani Pā ‘Ōlapa Kahiko, in Sacramento. My weekly hula classes ground me and connect me back to my roots. My bakery is another way that I find my way back to the Islands.
I created Hawaii Raised Bakery because I can’t find authentic Hawaiian desserts in my neighborhood, in the Sacramento area, or in Northern California. I have distinct memories of the tropical flavors I grew up with, but they are very hard to find here in the continental US. Trust me when I say that all mangoes and pineapples do not taste the same!
In each offering of Hawaii Raised Bakery, I have carefully selected the ingredients to reflect the flavors I remember. I started this bakery for myself and anyone else who wants to take a trip back to the Islands through delicious food. Come join me as we travel back to the Islands together.
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