Kekoa

Kekoa on the Hot Seat 

1. What inspired you to become a Chef?

Well, I guess hospitality is in my Hawaiian genes. Being the hotspot for world tourism, good food is an indispensable part of Hawaii and our lives. My mom was the best cook I know, and she’d host tiny little feasts for our small community of indigenous folks living nearby back in her days. I’d naturally help her and when she retired, I took over. But my dreams were much bigger, always wondered what life was like beyond the horizon. I went for it, and here I am – making my own place in the world and putting Hawaiian delicacies on the table for the world to savor and enjoy. I do take a lot of pride in where I come from, and everyone who loves their job should. 

2. What is your signature dish? What do people love about it?

It’s Loco Moco, the kids find the name very amusing, and it quite literally looks like sunshine on a plate. It’s a mountainous meal which is basically a heap of white rice topped with a hamburger patty and a Sunnyside-up egg and then smothered in gravy. This dish is popular for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or whenever one wants to have a hearty meal.  As you eat, break the egg – then blend the burger, egg, rice, and gravy on your fork for each bite for a real taste of paradise. 

3. How do you describe your overall cooking philosophy?

Take the food seriously, but don't take your cooking too seriously. For most of us reading this, food has surpassed beyond its sustenance stage, and now, we mostly talk about the company and having a good time around the dinner table. I think the most important thing not to be forgotten is that the pleasure is in consuming things together with the loved ones, or perhaps by sharing experiences through writing and photographs. The point is when you start to take food too seriously when you seek perfection as a goal at every meal and get disappointed by anything short of platonic ideals, you run a real risk of robbing yourself of that pleasure.

4. Could you share the story behind your tattoos? 

I got my tattoos when I was leaving Hawaii to pursue a full-time culinary career. I am very proud of where I come from and I make sure that shines through in my cooking. However, I also wanted to carry a piece of Hawaii with me and got Kakau tattoo – this is a traditional Hawaiian art of tattooing and it represents God, protection, war hula, and other core indigenous values. Everyone gets tattoos for various reasons, but for me, it’s a matter of staying in touch with my roots.

5. What are the different destinations you’re planning to cover for Kekoa’s Adventure?

Oh, I am an avid traveler, sometimes I wonder if I’m a bigger foodie or a travel junkie. My heart’s always in Hawaii, but I wander all around the globe. During Chinese New Year, I like to say Ni Hao in the bewitchingly beautiful landscapes of Shanghai, whereas during Halloween, I unravel the mysteries of a few infamous haunted islands, and when it’s time for Santa to fly out of the North Pole and distribute gifts, I like to rummage what he’s left behind by visiting the freezing Northern hemisphere.