ina

Aloha. It’s been a while since we posted. We are sad to let you all know that we have decided to permanently close ‘Aina restaurant in San Francisco. Personal & family reasons have made a relocation to Singapore the next step for us. It is a very tough and heartwrenching decision to let go of a business that we have been building from our hearts since 2013, from our days as a tiny popup in Bernal Heights, to hectic street food festivals and then eventually a beautiful bric...k and mortar space in the lovely Dogpatch neighborhood. Our OG signature dishes were created by Hilo-raised chef @jordankeao as a direct response to being homesick for food he grew up with and his love for Hawaii. Aina was a very beautiful and special place for us with our toddler son spending his weekends at our Popup, and our daughter born a month after we opened the restaurant. We also believe that change is growth. And as much as we hate disappointing our regulars and all of you who have come through our doors to eat with us, become friends, and sent us such heartwarming messages in the last 6 months; we also know we are making the right decision for our extended family and our little ones. We miss Dogpatch dearly and are grateful to all of the support we have received over the years and to the Aina team that worked so tirelessly. We won’t go into the well known challenges of doing business in SF here; we will say that running a small restaurant is HARD with lots of highs and many lows and we made a lot of mistakes along the way. We’ll still post here selectively on ways to support Hawaiian food & heritage & small businesses. Follow @jordankeao for continued culinary adventures in Southeast Asia and possibly Aina 2.0. and our Stories... Much love, Jordan & Cheryl

Experience the ritual and beauty of the Hawaiian tradition of hula dancing in this immersive short film by Bradley Tangonan.

Repost @jordankeao : We are fighting to protect our Mauna! Calling all Aloha ‘Aina worriers to bring about awareness and defend! Had to bring my son Kainoa to the base of Pu’u Huluhulu on our last trip to Big Island to teach him about giving thanks and showing respect to our Mauna. Pray for everyone to be safe. Link below for video on more: 50 years of mismanaging Mauna Kea..... #protectmaunakea #mauna #hilo #bigisland #nokaoi #aina #imua #teachumyoung #kainoa #respect #pono #aloha #maunakea #hawaii

Gorgeous and deeply moving.

https://www.facebook.com/205370/posts/10104712833006673

Fascinating read. In honor of George the khuli, let’s save this beautiful planet we live on...

The key to ensuring a healthy planet for the future lies in drawing on the time-tested practices of those who have come before us.

When the beautiful jacarandas were in full bloom in Dogpatch....

Thought provoking

Hilo Farmers Market: must-visit if you find yourself in Hilo on a Wednesday or Saturday. Over 200 local farmers and crafters sell their produce, food, crafts, and tropical flowers in a festive outdoor atmosphere that recalls back to the old plantation days of early Hilo. The beautiful produce reminded us of Southeast Asian markets. This is the largest farmers market on the Big Island! See stories for more videos

How the Cuisine of Hawai‘i Became the Bay Area’s Comfort Food - Fueled by waves of migration, it’s the ultimate American cuisine Mahalo for including us @jlbitker Check out this Eater SF thought piece.... Pic: Ahi tuna, roasted kukui uts, & fresh limu seaweed from our OG tasting menu. : @ericwolfinger... https://www.google.com//hawaiian-food-trend-san-francisco-

Check out this incredible rehabilitation program that Kumu Patrick Makuakne (N Lei Hulu I Ka Wkiu) is spearheading. As a spiritual advisor, he teaches hula twice a week in San Quentin State Prison and spreads Aloha with his generosity of spirit and time.

Great read on Peter Merriman!