Nau mai, welcome!
Kia ora and kumusta!
Meet Rangihoro and Ashley, the co-founders of Kai(n). Their story began in Kirikiriroa, where, on their very first date, Rangihoro cooked Ashley her first-ever bowl of fresh pasta, an experience that sparked both a connection and a shared passion for food.
Rangihoro is Kai(n)’s pasta maker and chef. He was born and raised in Aotearoa, New Zealand, with ancestral ties to Ngā Puhi of the Bay of Islands and Te Arawa of Rotorua. Ashley is a second-generation Filipina American, born and raised in the Bay Area of Northern California. Together, their backgrounds and cultures shape the heart of Kai(n).
After moving to Hilo in 2018 and navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Kai(n) emerged as a way for Rangihoro and Ashley to stay grounded while supporting their growing family. It then became rooted in their shared belief that food has always been a source of comfort, connection, and belonging, regardless of where it comes from or how it’s made.
Pasta may be simple, but through Kai(n), it becomes a way to celebrate culture through food. More than a meal, it’s an invitation to connect. Today, Kai(n) is centered on feeding and nourishing the community, bringing people together around the table and breaking down cultural barriers, one pasta shape at a time.
