We Heart Cake Co., previously located in Kaimukī, now has a new home.
Business owner Kanako Kiyabu says she has been looking for a new space for her business for more than a year.
“We really loved being part of the Kaimukī community,” she says. “As our business continued to grow, we needed a larger kitchen to keep up with production. We spent about a year looking for the right space, and we’re so happy we finally find our new location.”
The business had been located in Kaimukī for about six years, according to Kiyabu.
“It (the business) all started when I made my daughter’s first birthday cake,” she says. “After that, friends and family began asking me to make cakes for their special occasions, and my business grew, little by little.”
While her business stemmed from making cakes, Kiyabu says the business's name “We Heart Cake Company” had a deeper meaning.
“I didn’t want it to be just about me making cakes,” she says. “I wanted it to be about our team, our customers and our community. We create happiness together. The heart (symbol in our name) is simple, cute and something everyone recognizes. But to me, it also represents love, kindness, care and the spirit of Aloha.”
We Heart Cake Co. closed its doors in Kaimukī at the end of May and soft opened in its new space in mid-June. The dessert shop is now located on South King Street; the entrance to the parking lot is on Liona Street.
“We have more space to work efficiently, and our customers have been so warm and welcoming,” Kiyabu says. “We’re happy to be part of this community. Our new location has a much-larger kitchen, which allows us to make more products, while maintaining the quality we care about.
“The name ‘We Heart Cake Company’ reminds us that everything we make is created with love and care,” she adds. “We truly put our hearts into every product we make.”
Having more customer parking is another benefit of the new location.
“Customers can park right in front of our store for up to 30 minutes when they’re picking up an order from We Heart Cake Company,” Kiyabu says. “It makes pick-up much more convenient and stress-free.”
The business is popular for its cakes, but also offers cake pops, cupcakes, mini meringue cookies and butter mochi.
Its lava puffs ($4.95 each or $4 with a purchase of more than four) are a new dessert now available at the store, according to Kiyabu.
“One of our most popular products right now is our lava puff,” Kiyabu says. “What makes it special is the crispy top and the smooth, melt-in-your-mouth cream filling. We also offer unique flavors that you won’t find everywhere, like red velvet and ube.”
The business’s butter mochi is also a newer treat. We Heart Cake Co.’s butter mochi and daifuku (mochi with a filling, often red bean paste) are both made using high-quality mochiko flour imported from Asia, according to Kiyabu.
“Being Japanese, I’ve always loved traditional Japanese sweets,” Kiyabu says. “In Hawaiʻi, I became fascinated by butter mochi because it’s such a wonderful combination of Japanese mochi culture and Hawaiʻi’s local culture.”
Customers can now find We Heart Cake Co.’s butter mochi — available in flavors like original, peanut butter and coconut — in 7-Eleven stores, Times Supermarkets and at Aloha Gas stations.
We Heart Cake Co. is officially celebrating its grand opening this Saturday, Aug. 8 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. During this time, the business will be giving away free cake pops to the first 102 customers, according to Kiyabu.
“We wouldn’t be here without the support of Hawaiʻi’s local community,” Kiyabu says. “Because of your support, we’ve been able to grow and continue doing what we love. We Heart Cake Company exists because of all of you (our customers), and we’re truly grateful.”
CONTACT
We Heart Cake Co.
1481 S. King St., Honolulu
808-533-2253
weheartcakecompany.com
Instagram: @weheartcakecompany
Open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays, closed Sundays
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Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
