Before Aloha Kitchen became a cookbook, I was fortunate enough to have taste-tested Alana Kysar’s recipes first-hand. We met at work several years ago and became fast friends after submitting entries into a baking contest. (She won first place.) She lived near me, and one day, she brought over cute boxes of Mochiko Chicken and Butter Mochi. I intended on splitting them over the course of two meals but, as soon as I started eating, I could not stop. It was all so homey and wonderful. I’m so glad she put everything into print so I can re-create these dishes whenever I’m craving Hawaiian food.