Business Monday: Single mom fulfilling dream to open her own restaurant

Dianna Kahler always knew opening a restaurant was in her future.

The 52-year-old grew up in restaurants owned by her parents in California. They owned a New York-style deli, a Mexican restaurant, a French restaurant and two restaurants with a menu of “elevated comfort food” created by her mother. Kahler was trained as a cashier at 9 years old, learned to cook and bake at 10 and was a server by 12.

“When I was 17, my parents sold the restaurant, and I wanted to try something new since I had lived my whole life in restaurants,” she said. “I decided to become a hairdresser, but when I moved to Colorado, I realized I belonged in the kitchen.”

After decades of working in the kitchen for others, Kahler now is working to open her own restaurant, Kitchen Witch Cafe and Bakery in the Puna Kai Shopping Center in Pāhoa.

Kahler named the restaurant “Kitchen Witch” because it reflects how she identifies — a person who uses magic (skill, mindfulness and care) in everything they make to improve health, home and well-being through food.

“I know how to make things that can put a smile on people’s faces and make their day better,” Kahler said. “That is where I thrive and how I grew up.”

Kitchen Witch will be a bakery and restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesdays through Sundays. The menu features recipes created by Kahler, a lifelong cook and baker, and will highlight local, organic ingredients.

“There aren’t any restaurants in Pāhoa that serve breakfast all day, and I know many in our community work late-night shifts and may want dinner in the morning or breakfast in the evening,” she said.

Kahler had wanted to open her own restaurant when she lived in Colorado, working as a cook and pastry chef for Hilton Hotels. But that changed when she became pregnant with her daughter.

In 2021, after losing her husband, Kahler and her daughter moved to Hawaiʻi Island, where she worked as a cook for Kīlauea Military Camp in Volcano.

“I have never worked so hard in my life, and one day I realized that if I was going to work this hard, it should be for myself,” Kahler said. “I told my friend about what I wanted to do and she made me realize it would be the perfect opportunity to lead by example for my daughter and show her that you can make your dreams come true at any point in life.”

But it has not been easy.

With limited eating options in the area, Kahler said when she saw the space available in Puna Kai “it seemed like the perfect opportunity to make this concept a reality.”

But when she first walked into the 2,000 square foot space, there was a “funk” left by the previous owners, Thep Thai Cuisine. It has taken months to properly clean, fix and buy new equipment, and to prepare the space for customers.

“The equipment is five years old, and in the culinary world, that is brand new as long as it is cared for properly,” Kahler said. “Unfortunately, the previous owner did not care for equipment properly, and it’s been a constant battle. Management has been understanding and doing everything they can because they want us to open, too.”

According to Kahler, the only obstacle to opening is the funding needed to purchase a few more items for the kitchen, the inspection from the state Department of Health to become a certified kitchen, and the food needed to open the restaurant.

“The constant fixes really set me back,” she said. “I started with $100,000, and it is now gone. But I do think I finally have funding secured and I should have it by this month.”

She said the menu is completed and includes a variety of “elevated comfort food” that is similar to the menus her mom would create. Some examples of the dishes on the menu include: biscuits and gravy, several kinds of omelets and sandwiches, egg rolls made with her mother’s recipe, and lilikoʻi short ribs.

“I have a staff of 20 who are ready to go whenever we have an opening date,” she said. “There isn’t much else to do except wait for the money.”

Kahler has considered searching for a business partner but is reluctant to give up any control of the vision she has for the restaurant’s daily operations. However, if anyone had business experience to help her with the back-end details of Kitchen Witch, she would be more open to that.

“I am not someone who can sit in an office,” she said. “I know I am a good leader and don’t want to mess with the dynamic I will have with my staff. I understand every aspect of restaurant work and single parenthood. Having a boss that understands is a major reason why employees decide to stay somewhere for a long time.”

During this time, Kahler has been meeting with local farmers and implementing contracts to purchase their produce, meat, eggs and herbs when the time comes.

While the setbacks have been discouraging over the last few months, Kahler is confident that she will be able to open Kitchen Witch and serve the community that allows her daughter, who is now 10-years old, and herself to thrive.

“This concept really came from living in this community,” she said. “It is robbery that we have to pay up to $11 for a loaf of bread when I can sell fresh loaves of bread every day for $5.”

Kahler added: “I have applied to accept EBT (food stamps) so the community has an opportunity to buy celebration desserts for special occasions instead of having to travel all the way to Hilo for a cake.”

Kahler also plans to close on Mondays to host free classes or open the certified kitchen to nonprofits that can use it for their outreach programs.

“I am able to stay positive because I know that we will help change the food landscape of Puna and will support this community that I love so much,” Kahler said. “Living and thriving here is important to me and it’s a great feeling to know I’m doing this for more than just my daughter and myself.”

Although a date has not been set, Kahler expects to open in early July. Updates can be found on the Kitchen Witch Facebook and Instagram pages.

Visit the Puna Kai website for more information on leasing, current businesses, and upcoming openings.