Allana Luisa Kaipo - Co-owner of Huckleberry Revitalise Cafe

Allana Luisa Kaipo is a co-owner of Huckleberry Revitalise Cafe in New Lynn. Since purchasing the cafe in September 2023, Allana and co-owner Sam Kaipo have been transforming the once run-down eatery into a buzzing community hub. Their passion for good food and island hospitality is evident as the couple provides West Auckland locals with kai that nourishes their bodies, and a space that heals their wairua.

Allana grew up in Massey with a Samoan Niuean mother and a Fijian Palagi father. She attended St Dominics College and Auckland Grammar where she was heavily involved in Samoan cultural groups. You can find her in the front row if you look closely at previous recordings of siva performances at Polyfest. Proud of her island roots and confident enough to lead, Allana stood out from the crowd.

Around five years ago, Allana’s mental health declined dramatically. That rock solid sense of self that once came naturally was replaced with debilitating distress.

“Life got really hard, negative core beliefs rose to the surface and they played out in my behaviours.” - Allana

Thankfully, Allana connected with a psychologist who shared her Pacific values through her church community. Through deep talanoa, Allana gained greater self-awareness and became increasingly intentional about her lifestyle. This powerful experience of recovery led Allana to studying psychology.

Now, Allana holds a Bachelor of Health Science (Honours) and she is a certified health coach. As a co-owner of Huckleberry Revitalise Cafe, she often draws on her personal and professional understandings of wellness to inform her vision. Together, Allana and her husband Sam are driven to create a place that supports the holistic wellbeing of their customers.

Sam and Allana’s revitalised iteration of Huckleberry Cafe has already become a home away from home for a loyal client base. They have curated a space that reminds me of drinking an ipu ti and eating panikeke at my favourite aunty’s table. While serving up recipes that are as rich in nutrients as they are in alofa, this generous couple offers people an opportunity to be still, be cared for and leave feeling lighter.