Homemade on the Hillside is a new bake stand that opened recently in the Tantalus area. Its name is inspired by the region, according to business owner/baker Hanna Strick.
“Our home is literally perched on the hillside, supported by stilts,” she says. “We tossed around a few ideas (for the business name), trying to have something that highlighted that our products are homemade and made with aloha. When I realized 'homemade' and 'hillside' sounded good together because of the alliteration, I knew it had to be the one.”
Strick has been drawn to baking for as long as she can remember. She recalls that, when she was a child, her mom would make dough for her to play and “bake” with.
“When I was about nine years old, I started baking dog treats for my mom’s coworkers and friends as my first little ‘business,’” she says. “My stepdad, Jason — who’s also my business partner — was a graduate from the Kapiʻolani Community College culinary program in 2006. In 2015, I also enrolled in KCC to begin their baking program. Throughout the program, I worked in restaurants, including Fleetwood's on Front Street on Maui one summer; then at Longhi’s; and finally in Honolulu Coffee Company’s production kitchen.”
When she had her son last year, Strick looked for a way to stay at home, but still contribute to her family.
“I noticed some online creators — mostly on the Mainland — started posting about bake stands or farm stands, and my curiosity piqued,” she says. “With my culinary background and love for baking, I thought, ‘Hey, maybe I can try that.’ It took a few months of recipe testing, planning, pricing out items and time blocking my schedule, but we made it.”
She says that the Tantalus location also seemed ideal for a bake stand.
“I looked into local home bakers that were already operating here on Island, and was surprised to find so many,” she says. “Although, not many are in town, where I live. We are lucky enough to live on a street that gets quite a bit of traffic, heading up to Tantalus from tourists and locals alike.”
Menu staples include the business’s chocolate chip cookies ($5) and banana bread ($5). The classic banana bread features a mini loaf; a chocolate chip version ($6) is also available.
“Everyone is always asking for banana bread, and we have sold out quickly,” Strick says. “We do a classic, chocolate chip and banana nut; there’s more to come in the future, since it has been such a success.”
Strick says her stepdad — known as “Poppop” to her son — also sells his pickles from the stand.
“Poppop’s pickles have been a hit so far with classic dill, spicy, and a pickle of the week,” she says, noting that the business previously showcased a shoyu ginger flavor.
Other treats include peanut butter cookies, s’mores rice Krispie treats, and seasonal desserts like pumpkin crumble muffins and a pumpkin cream cheese loaf.
The business currently accepts online pre-orders. Homemade on the Hillside is open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or until sold out.
“We have plans to possibly expand hours, but for now, Saturday is the day,” Strick says. “This has brought such joy into our life. We have met our neighbors, new friends, our delivery drivers, and people visiting from all over the world. In a time of all-phone-all-the-time, it is so nice to get a sense of community by seeing one another in person, sharing a sweet treat, and talking story.”
CONTACT
Homemade on the Hillside
homemadeonthehillside.com
Instagram: @homemade_hillside
Open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (or until sold out) on Saturdays
Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
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