Meet the Creator of Aloha Bites: Hawaii's Award-Winning Treats

It all began in Grandma Vera’s kitchen, where a young Akiko White would sit perched on the counter, tossing handfuls of ingredients into her grandmother’s 30‑year‑old KitchenAid. “Grandma always knew how to tweak a recipe until it was just right,” Akiko recalls. It was in that cozy kitchen that her love for baking—and for sharing it with others—was born.

Years later, Akiko’s artistry with cakes took her far beyond Grandma Vera’s cooking space. She went on to win the Best in Show at Austin’s famed That Takes the Cake competition and she earned a place on the Food Network’s Cake Wars, where her creation was praised as “the best-designed cake in Cake Wars history.” And most recently, Aloha Bites' Tutu's Calamansi Marmalade won the 2023 Good Foods Award and the 2024 Dalemain World Marmalade Award. But for Akiko, the joy of baking has always come from sharing—sharing flavors, stories, and a little piece of aloha.

Locally Grown, Island Made

This passion became Aloha Bites, a boutique confection company serving up sweet, bite‑sized treats made with locally sourced Hawaiian ingredients and plant-based colorings. Every treat tells a story rooted in the islands—one of community, creativity, and care. “Sharing Aloha One Bite at a Time” isn’t just the company's tagline—it’s the philosophy behind every product that leaves Akiko’s kitchen.

Based in Kailua, Hawai‘i, Aloha Bites offers an array of sweet treats, sourdough loaves, and dry mixes, along with a colorful selection of butters, jams, jellies, and marmalades. The company proudly partners with local producers such as KualoaGrown at Kualoa Ranch, the 'Ulu Coop, and Celebrity Chef Sam Choy to create these authentically Hawai‘i‑grown and Hawai‘i‑made products. 

Spreading Aloha Through Every Bite

Beyond the jars and bite-sized confections, Akiko continues to share her expertise through bread-making, cake-decorating, and jam-making classes. Custom orders allow her to bring a personal touch to weddings, events, and holiday celebrations across the islands. “We believe good food connects people. It tells a story. It brings joy,” Akiko says. 

You can find Aloha Bites’ creations in beloved Hawaiian boutiques and specialty shops including Foodland, Down to Earth, SoHa Living, Dean & Deluca, Farm Link, Oahu Fresh, and at KualoaGrown—as well as online at alohabites.com. You can also shop her signature jams, jellies, chutneys, butters, marmalades, and ‘ulu bread mixes right here on TheChristmas.com, where Aloha Bites is proudly featured as one of our curated artisan brands. 

Check Out Her Full Pantry of Products in Our Aloha Bites Kitchen!

Discover More Holiday Inspiration

To learn more about Akiko’s delicious confections and spreads, follow her on Instagram @aloha_bites. And to find more inspiration and expertise from holiday experts around the globe, follow us @thechristmas.com, subscribe to our email newsletter, and check out our Holiday Hub!

And make sure to check out Akiko's Jam-Filled Sugar Cookie Recipe! They feature her signature jam and are perfect for any holiday party.