Growing Up Hapa in Hawai‘i is not your typical cookbook—it’s a heartfelt journey told through the lens of food, family, and heritage. Chef Ippy Aiona invites you into his story shaped by two rich cultures—Hawaiian and Italian—blended together with love, grit, and a deep sense of place.

From the Big Island town of Waimea, where paniolo traditions and plate lunches rule, to the cozy, garlic-scented warmth of his mother’s Italian kitchen, Ippy’s culinary path weaves through generations, restaurants, and recipes. With roots in his father’s restaurant, the Kamuela Deli, and his mother’s restaurant, Solimene’s, and rising to the national stage through Food Network competitions and celebrated restaurants like The Three Fat Pigs, Ippy shares the lessons, flavors, and stories that built his identity.

This deeply personal cookbook pays tribute to the many chapters of Ippy’s life—a life built on fusion, resilience, and connection. Inside, you’ll find more than recipes; you’ll discover the soul of a chef shaped by his heritage, community, and family. Growing Up Hapa in Hawai‘i is for anyone who believes food is more than nourishment—it is memory, culture, and love served on a plate. Come hungry, and leave inspired.

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Growing Up Hapa in Hawaii: Recipes and Stories from Chef Ippy Aiona

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