Hawaiian Kanpachi crudo — citrus, jalapeño, edible flowers
Private Chef & Catering · Big Island, Hawaiʻi
Private dinners and events
on Hawaiʻi Island.
Hawaiian Kanpachi crudo — citrus, jalapeño, edible flowers
Why Kai ʻĀina
Hawaiʻi Island food, grown and caught here, cooked by someone who grew up here.
Kai ʻĀina sea & land
In Hawaiian, ʻāina comes from ʻai, “to eat”: the land is what feeds us. The name holds everything we cook, from the fish off the boats to what grows in Hāmākua.
Chef Kai plans the menu with you, sources it on the island, and leads the kitchen himself, whether it’s dinner for six at home, a beachside brunch, or a wedding under the stars.
Menus follow the season: produce from his farm in Hāmākua, fish from local boats, and whatever the island’s growers have at their best that week.
Kai ʻĀina: where the sea meets the land
The chef
Winner of the 2026 Best Indigenous Culinary Tourism Experience award
Born and raised on the historic paniolo ranch lands of Waimea, where cooking was how his family took care of people. Through his grandmother Aileen, he descends from the Lindsey ranching family of Anna Ranch.
For sixteen years he has cooked privately along the Kohala Coast for international royalty, heads of state, Travis Kelce, and the late Lisa Marie Presley, along with families marking birthdays and anniversaries. Nearly every booking has come by word of mouth.
Waimea — the paniolo ranch lands where it began
From the table
★ 5.0 · 12 guest reviews on Airbnb
“This was the first time we have ever had a chef or done something like this on vacation, and it was worth every penny! Chef Kai was amazing, his food locally sourced, interesting, and delicious. He was so warm, sharing about his life and the community… and cleaned up better than I would have!”
“Chef Kai provided a world-class private dining experience that felt both elevated and deeply personal. His five-course fusion menu was a masterclass in local flavors, especially the wild boar sausage sourced directly from his family on the island.”
“Amazing authentic Hawaiian meal by Chef Kai! Every course was fantastic and unique. So much delicious food that unfortunately none of us had room for dessert. Chef Kai left us the dessert to enjoy later and gave us instructions.”
“This was such a great experience! Super personable and a fun time with the most delicious food. We will definitely be using this service again upon our next visit to the Big Island!”
“He not only provided us with a delicious meal, full of variety, but also created a friendly and relaxing atmosphere. You can tell he puts a lot of thought and passion into what he does.”
“Best meal of my life. Period.”
Kohala Coast estate — lamb rack, sweet potato, balsamic
Culinary services
Three ways to work with Chef Kai. Each starts with a short inquiry and a conversation about what you have in mind.
Weddings & private events
The Kohala Coast
The land
Working farmland in the hills of Hāmākua, growing for Chef Kai’s kitchen. Visit the farm →
Small-batch sauces and pantry goods made from the season’s harvest. Find them at the farmers market.
The Kai ʻĀina Foundation
Hands-on days on the land, cultural retreats, and homecoming programs. 501(c)(3) pending. About the Foundation →
A lot of what’s on your plate starts here. Chef Kai grows on his farm in Hāmākua and works with growers across the island, so the menu changes as the island does.
Provisions brings the farm’s harvest to the community at the market. The Foundation is the nonprofit side: growing, cooking, and teaching alongside the community.
Limited availability
Tell us the date, the guest count, and what you’re celebrating. You’ll hear back within 48 hours.
Form not loading? Open the inquiry form or email kai@kaiaina.com.
