: STORY 01 :

ALOHA MISOの原点は、私の故郷・仙台の二つの味にあります。一つは、幼少期を過ごした二十人町の商店街で、お花見の時期にだけ出店される佐藤さんの「味噌おでん」。区画整理で町が消えゆく中、腰を曲げて味噌を練る佐藤さんの「あと何年できるか」という言葉に寂しさを覚え、大切な味を絶やしたくないー心でレシピを譲り受けました。もう一つは、小学校の頃から両親に連れて行ってもらった焼き鳥屋さんの「青唐辛子味噌」。もうそろそろ閉店するかもという噂を聞き、勇気を出して、レシピをお聞きしたところ、大将が快く秘伝の味を伝授してくれました。この二つの「愛された記憶」が、ALOHA MISOの礎となっています。

ALOHA MISO was born from two unforgettable flavors from my hometown of Sendai, Japan. One was “miso oden” made by Mr. Sato, a beloved local vendor who only appeared during cherry blossom season in the Futajuninmachi shopping street where I spent my childhood. As the neighborhood slowly disappeared due to redevelopment, I still remember the sadness I felt hearing him say, while carefully stirring his miso with his back bent from years of work, “I wonder how many more years I can keep doing this.”I couldn’t bear the thought of such a treasured flavor disappearing, and from the bottom of my heart, I asked him to pass the recipe on to me.The other inspiration came from the “green chili miso” served at a small yakitori restaurant my parents had taken me to since elementary school. When I heard rumors that the restaurant might close one day, I gathered the courage to ask the owner if he would share his secret recipe. To my surprise, he warmly agreed and entrusted me with the flavor he had protected for so many years.These two deeply loved memories became the very foundation of ALOHA MISO.

: STORY 02 :

その後、離婚を機に「ハワイで味噌を販売する」という夢を抱いて移住しましたが、現実は甘くありませんでした。ビザや文化の壁に阻まれ、全く別のビジネスで生計を立てる日々。経済的自立や理想の母親像に縛られ、不安と孤独に押しつぶされそうになっていたある日、健康診断で病気が見つかり手術をすることに。手術の前日、久しぶりに訪れたビーチで、ハワイに住みながら海を見る余裕さえ失っていた自分にづきました。過去や未来に囚われ、自己犠牲の中で生きていた自分を解放し、「今この瞬間を大切に生きる母でありたい」と心から日覚めたのです。

After my divorce, I moved to Hawaii with a dream of someday sharing miso with the world from the islands.But reality was far from easy.I struggled against the barriers of visas, language, and cultural differences, and instead of pursuing miso right away, I spent years building an entirely different business just to survive.I became consumed by the pressure of achieving financial independence and trying to live up to my image of being the “perfect mother.” Anxiety and loneliness slowly overwhelmed me.Then one day, during a medical checkup, doctors discovered an illness that required surgery.The day before the operation, I visited the beach for the first time in a long while. Standing by the ocean, I suddenly realized something profound — even though I had been living in Hawaii, I had lost the ability to truly see the sea.I had been trapped between regrets about the past and fears about the future, sacrificing myself while trying to hold everything together.In that moment, I finally let go.And deep within my heart, I awakened to a new wish:to become a mother who truly lives in and cherishes the present moment.

: STORY 03 :

再起を誓い、2023年マウイ島山火事のチャリティーを機に味噌作りを再開。ハワイ産チリペッパーとの出会いを求めて訪れたハワイ島ホノカアで、私は運命的な歴史を知ります。その肥沃な土壌は、かつて過酷な環境で命懸けで土を耕した日本人移民「元年者」たちの汗と涙の結晶でした。同胞を守るため27歳で散った後藤濶さんのような先人たちがいたからこそ、今の私たちの暮らしがある。農家の方から「味噌を広めることは日本人の魂を残し、先人へのご供養になる」と言葉をかけられ、私は日本人としての誇りを持ってこの文化を伝える決意を固めました。

My passion was reignited in 2023 when I made 1,500 jars of miso for a Maui wildfire charity. This led me to Honokaa on the Big Island in search of local Hawaiian chili peppers. There, I learned the profound history of the "Gannenmono"—the first Japanese immigrants who cultivated that very soil with blood, sweat, and tears. I was moved by the story of Katsu Goto, a young man who died at 27 fighting for the rights of his fellow laborers. A local farmer told me with tears in his eyes, "Spreading the culture of miso in Hawaii is a way to preserve the Japanese soul and honor our ancestors." In that moment, I realized that my work was not just about business; it was a mission of gratitude.

: STORY 04 :

私が味噌作りで最も大切にしているのは、作り手である私の内側がいつも愛で溢れていることです。私を受け入れたハワイと支えてくださる方々への感謝を込めて仕込む味噌は、お客様から「愛を感じる」「癒される」というお声をいただけるようになりました。かつての私がそうであったように、孤独や不安の中にいる誰かの心に、このお味噌を通じて温かな優しさを届けたい。二十人町から始まった小さな物語は、今、ハワイの風と先人たちの想いを乗せて、多くの人々へ愛を届けるための新たな旅を続けています。

What I value most in making miso is ensuring that my own heart, as the creator, is always filled with love.Every batch of ALOHA MISO is prepared with deep gratitude for Hawaii, which embraced me, and for all the people who have supported me along the way. Because of this, many customers have told me that they can “feel the love” and that the miso brings them a sense of comfort and healing.
Just as I once struggled with loneliness and anxiety myself, I hope this miso can gently bring warmth and kindness to the hearts of those who may be going through difficult times.What began as a small story in Futajuninmachi, Sendai, has now grown into a new journey, carried by the winds of Hawaii and the spirit of those who came before us, continuing to share love with people around the world.