Kin & Aiko

Kin & Aiko

June 24, 2025 • Holualoa, HI
Kin & Aiko

Kin & Aiko

June 24, 2025 • Holualoa, HI

Our Story

Kin: "I moved back to the Big Island in 2019. I felt called to the island's beauty, called to reconnect with family roots, and called to pursue a challenging career. The island has a way of pulling and pushing. Over the next 4 years I would endure some difficult times - we all did. The whole world was forced into a state of isolation that felt intensified by the surrounding vastness of the ocean. But the call to stay remained, and strengthened. I had difficulty explaining that feeling, that sense of an underlying purpose, the silent encouragement to hold tight to the floating rock I found myself on. I knew with trust and patience it's reason would become clear.


I know now that the call was for Aiko. Sure, it may have seemed like work, family, paradise.


But it was always Aiko. I'm glad I answered."

photo

Aiko: "Here's a photo timeline of how Kin pulled me in..."

Kin asked some mutual fútbol friends to invite Aiko to their gatherings, but she was out of town for her cousin Breanna’s wedding to Mick in Thailand 😇

January 11, 2023

Kin asked some mutual fútbol friends to invite Aiko to their gatherings, but she was out of town for her cousin Breanna’s wedding to Mick in Thailand 😇
With Aiko back in town from another Asia trip, Kin was determined to get to know her better. Aiko’s co-ed team took 2nd place in the annual Kona cup (took 1st the other years tho ;), where Kin spent the weekend cheering on from the sidelines "for her teammates"…then made her laugh all night over shared stories, field BBQ tacos and bulgogi until the field lights would go off.

February 21, 2023

With Aiko back in town from another Asia trip, Kin was determined to get to know her better. Aiko’s co-ed team took 2nd place in the annual Kona cup (took 1st the other years tho ;), where Kin spent the weekend cheering on from the sidelines "for her teammates"…then made her laugh all night over shared stories, field BBQ tacos and bulgogi until the field lights would go off.
Kin would come straight off a plane or right from work to come hang out “with the Kona crew” when he was too shy to ask Aiko out himself yet.

March 04, 2023

Kin would come straight off a plane or right from work to come hang out “with the Kona crew” when he was too shy to ask Aiko out himself yet.
Finally, Kin asked Aiko out on a hike at Pu’uwa’awa’a for their first date, despite heavy wind advisories. Aiko was weary of hiking up a mountain in such conditions, but Kin told her not to worry, because he had an umbrella that they could fly down with like Mary Poppins if they needed to. She figured she would at least get some laughs out of the meet up if nothing else. But they lucked out with bunches of cute baby sheep and cows, a tunnel of dozens of butterflies, unique cloud configurations, and ended the hike with a misty rainbow. She knew this one was different, and nothing was ever the same again 💫

March 09, 2023

Finally, Kin asked Aiko out on a hike at Pu’uwa’awa’a for their first date, despite heavy wind advisories. Aiko was weary of hiking up a mountain in such conditions, but Kin told her not to worry, because he had an umbrella that they could fly down with like Mary Poppins if they needed to. She figured she would at least get some laughs out of the meet up if nothing else. But they lucked out with bunches of cute baby sheep and cows, a tunnel of dozens of butterflies, unique cloud configurations, and ended the hike with a misty rainbow. She knew this one was different, and nothing was ever the same again 💫
Kin put on his annual Children’s Miracle Network fundraising tournament (FO DA KIDS). Aiko ended up helping and started falling for Kin’s philanthropic spirit.

April 03, 2023

Kin put on his annual Children’s Miracle Network fundraising tournament (FO DA KIDS). Aiko ended up helping and started falling for Kin’s philanthropic spirit.
Kin asked Aiko to camp over a cliff with him, meet his grandparents in Hilo, and come back to Kona in time for her friend's birthday (love you Andwee) for a 3 day trip. The whole weekend went better than they could've imagined, and it was only a few days later that Kin & Aiko became official.

May 01, 2023

Kin asked Aiko to camp over a cliff with him, meet his grandparents in Hilo, and come back to Kona in time for her friend's birthday (love you Andwee) for a 3 day trip. The whole weekend went better than they could've imagined, and it was only a few days later that Kin & Aiko became official.
Kin & Aiko’s first wedding guest outing together. Little did they know this would be the first of 10 attendances over the next 2 years :) Kin & Ian got to dance hula for the celebration of Khoa and Tam in their hawai’i wedding #1.

June 23, 2023

Kin & Aiko’s first wedding guest outing together. Little did they know this would be the first of 10 attendances over the next 2 years :) Kin & Ian got to dance hula for the celebration of Khoa and Tam in their hawai’i wedding #1.
Kin on his first homecoming trip to Los Angeles, getting some good ol’ KBBQ that he always craves on the big island (but we don’t have unless we make an O'ahu trip).

September 20, 2023

Kin on his first homecoming trip to Los Angeles, getting some good ol’ KBBQ that he always craves on the big island (but we don’t have unless we make an O'ahu trip).
Kin & Aiko joined Chayce at Halau Lei Hulu o Kealohalani and started performing bi-annually at the Fairmont Orchid together, honoring the stories of the people and land they call home.

December 17, 2023

Kin & Aiko joined Chayce at Halau Lei Hulu o Kealohalani and started performing bi-annually at the Fairmont Orchid together, honoring the stories of the people and land they call home.
Kin and Aiko travel all over Japan. They make a stop in Kyushu to meet Aiko’s Japanese family. This is Ako-chan, Aiko's auntie, who graciously housed and fed them for a few days. She claims speaking no english, but we know she understands energy very well as an Aikido black belt.

March 01, 2024

Kin and Aiko travel all over Japan. They make a stop in Kyushu to meet Aiko’s Japanese family. This is Ako-chan, Aiko's auntie, who graciously housed and fed them for a few days. She claims speaking no english, but we know she understands energy very well as an Aikido black belt.
Kin took the opportunity during a work trip in Los Angeles to meet with Aiko’s sister Sayuri and her parents Mickey and Debbie to ask for their blessing to marry her.

May 02, 2024

Kin took the opportunity during a work trip in Los Angeles to meet with Aiko’s sister Sayuri and her parents Mickey and Debbie to ask for their blessing to marry her.
Kin would be Aiko’s date for 5 weddings this summer. Love was in the air. Kin was going back and forth all summer crafting the perfect ring for Aiko…

July 21, 2024

Kin would be Aiko’s date for 5 weddings this summer. Love was in the air. Kin was going back and forth all summer crafting the perfect ring for Aiko…
Kin asked Aiko to move in with him and his two roommates, Frankie and Beans. They all promised to be a little tidier with a lady in the halē.

July 30, 2024

Kin asked Aiko to move in with him and his two roommates, Frankie and Beans. They all promised to be a little tidier with a lady in the halē.
After a harrowing day at jury duty, Aiko was surprised by a seemingly impromptu visit to one of the most powerful places on the island, Waipi'o Valley. There he finally proposed! Kin’s parents got to share in the magical moment and play photographers.

October 23, 2024

After a harrowing day at jury duty, Aiko was surprised by a seemingly impromptu visit to one of the most powerful places on the island, Waipi'o Valley. There he finally proposed! Kin’s parents got to share in the magical moment and play photographers.
Half a year of more travel, more weddings, more planning ahead. Kin’s still trying to find new ways to surprise Aiko, show his love, and build a shared life together!

February 13, 2025

Half a year of more travel, more weddings, more planning ahead. Kin’s still trying to find new ways to surprise Aiko, show his love, and build a shared life together!