I am married to my outrageous and funny husband, Mark, and the mommy of two wonderful children, Paige and Sean. For many years I worked in the food industry, and was the sous chef for Palomino Euro Bistro and later Kincaid’s. With the birth of my first child, Paige, I became a full time stay at home mom. When Paige started preschool, I began making fun bentos for her home lunches. Bentos were not only fun for her but served as a great creative outlet for me. In 2008 I wrote Hawai`i’s Bento Box Cookbook, Fun Lunches for Kids and in April 2010 came out with my second book, Hawai`i’s Bento Box Cookbook, 2nd Course.
Books are available online at Mutual Publishing and Amazon.
Hi Susan, I bought your Hawaii’s Bento Box Cookbook which you autographed at Borders. I was able to find most of the tools but can’t figure out how to make the eyes and mouth from nori.
As I am not good at cutting can you suggest a tool and do I need to use a certain type of nori? My granddaughter loves to look at the book and would like to make some for her. Would appreciate any help! Mahalo, Connie
Hi Connie! Thank you for buying the book!
The last time I was at the Marukai store (the new 99 cents store) at Ward they had a really good nori face punch. Try calling them to see if they still have it in stock. If not there are several online stores that you can purchase the nori punches from. One that I really like is JBOX http://www.jbox.com/SEARCH/nori_punches and on eBay- Sakura Zakka http://stores.ebay.com/SAKURA-ZAKKA-SHOP__W0QQ_sidZ79122832?_nkw=nori+punch&submit=Search . I have even seen other online bentoers use a regular single hole punch that they clean with rubbing alcohol before and after every use. Let me know if you need further assistance, I’m happy to help out. 
With no luck getting the nori puch after several visits to Marukai, I hit the jackpot there and got the last one. My granddaughter was thrilled just looking at the Ballerina on the rice and finally decided to eat it . I also went to Ebay and found another set of punches on special and ordered one.
Thanks for your help and A Happy New Year to you and your family!
That’s great Connie! I am glad that you were able to find the punches. Happy New Year to you too!
hi
i also live in hawaii — chinatown side
i am looking more into bento food because of my daughter whom is 14 and her medication makes her not very hungry in the day
your pix and descriptions for your young daughter seems to be what i am looking for — 14yo girls seem to have the same taste in cuteness as younger girls
i was hoping that you had a RSS type of flowing ??
i like to list all of my interests in MY YAHOO! so they are all gathered in one place……..
Hi soyzick! I added the feed so you can use it now. Thanks for leaving a comment.
Hi Susan!
I’ve been reading a lot about bento’s and stumbled upon a youtube video that you were in and found your blog. I was wondering if I could post some of the photos in my blog. I’ll be giving you credit, of course and that’s if it’s alright with you
Hi Maria, sure you can and thank you for asking!
Thanks for visiting!
hi susan !
i live all the way in australia and my eldest son just started preschool couples of days ago and he’s one of those difficult eating kids :-s i’ve read all your entries here and just wondering if you could share some of your recipe like: sesami chicken or something eles that could go with rice or vegies..dont know why my son never eat vegies 
so hopefully with these bento boxes would help 
i’ve recently found out about your book and your blog i’m so glad . You are such an inspiration
Lookin forward to hear from you
Hi Michelle! My daughter was a very picky eater too when she started preschool, but she eventually grew out of it. I did make bentos for her back then and it seemed to help get her excited about eating. I hope it helps with your son too. I’ll send you the recipe and thanks for leaving a comment!
Hi Susan, I just purchased your cookbook on amazon.com and I love it! I am from the Big Island and now living in Northern CA,… your book reminds of of home
. I just started getting into this bento hobby and purchased a whole bunch of bento boxes and gadgets. My big question is, … How do you keep everything organized? Do you have any tips/advice? Mahalo!!! Geri
PS. Looking forward to your 2nd cookbook.
Hi Geri!
Thanks so much for buying my cookbook! I am embarrassed to say that I have a ton of stuff. I’ll do a post and show you how I sort of keep things organized. I keep everything in see through sterilite drawers http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sterilite-3-Drawers-Set-White/8282902?sourceid=44444444440069012333
or plastic lure type boxes
Flambeau Outdoors 5007 Tuff Tainer
But I’ll put up a post soon.
Hi Susan,
I love your blog with my three boys! All you hear from them is I want that. I am orginally from Aiea and now live in No. California. My parents are visiting in March and will finally have a copy of your book.
Because I work full-time I would need to prepare my sons bentos the night before or in the morning. Their lunch break would not be until 5 or 6 hours after it’s prepared or taken out of the refrigerator. Does your book have tips on packing the bentos? Or do you have any suggestions? my 11 year old in particular doesn’t like when his food is cold but my 4 year old who is starting Kindergarten doesn’t mind it too much.
You are very talented and I admire all of your work. I look forward to reading your blog and seeing all the great bentos that you create.
Mahalo,
Shannan
Hi Shannan! Thank you so much for your sweet comments!
You should try thermal containers like Zojirushi http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=thermal+containers+zojirushi&x=0&y=0 or Tiger http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_20?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=tiger+thermal+lunch+box&sprefix=tiger+thermal+lunch+ They have different sizes and thermal capacities so take a look at the descriptions. I know they are kind of pricey but in my opinion are well worth the price because they do a great job of keeping the food hot. I use them when I give Paige leftovers. Make sure to pre-heat the container with hot water and reheat the food thoroughly. There are other brands of thermal containers out there but I’m not familiar with how effective they are. I hope this helps a little.
Aloha!
Susan
Hi Susan,
I don’t see any email contact info for you on your blog, so I thought I’d try this way. I’m working on an article for a Weekly Reader magazine (Current Health, for kids 9-13/14; they get it in school) called Lunch Around the World. It’s focusing on what kids in different countries eat for lunch, and I’m going to do a section on bento lunches. It’s going to be a really fun article, I think. I’d love to speak to you about it, I love your blog and I think you’d be so great to include. Can you please email me at trixmixelplix AT gmail DOT com? Thank you so much!!
Thanks so much, I’ll contact you.
You have inspired me! Currently I live in Okinawa and have a 4 year old that I am trying to find things to keep her interested in food (she is a huge snacker not so much a sit down and eater). One thing that she does love to eat is taco rice. Do you know of any way that would be good to make it into onigiri? Thanks!
Thanks Brittany!
Sean is a snacker too, I can relate! As far as the taco rice, is that like Spanish rice? I can help you with a recipe if you give me a little more information about what you put into your taco rice. Looking forward to hearing from you. 
Japanese Taco Rice
2 cups white rice
1 tablespoon lite soy sauce
1 cup finely shredded lettuce
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
8 ounces sour cream
8 ounces salsa, thick and chunky
salt and pepper to taste
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon onion salt
1 pound ground beef
1 large tomato, diced
Begin cooking rice, according to package directions. Brown hamburger. Add soy sauce, garlic and onion salt, salt and pepper to taste. Drain off grease. Add cooked rice to the beef, mixing well. Cook mixture about 5 minutes on low.
In separate bowls, layer beef/rice, cheese, lettuce, tomato, sour cream and salsa.
Hope this helps!
Hi Brittany! Thanks for the recipe. I’m going to try something with your recipe and try to post it tomorrow.
Hi Susan, I am so inspired by your bento creation that I thought maybe I should try to do one. However, I have a question. How do you keep the picture and/or stuff neatly inside the box?? I mean how do you pack the bento into their bag?
Don’t they get loosen and the whole thing will be messy?
Thanks Moohan!
Paige carries her lunch box outside her school bag. The lunch stays intact if you pack the bento tightly, meaning that there is no space for the food to shift around in. With some of the things that might fall off, I secure it with a small piece of somen or thin pasta. By the time they eat it at lunch the pasta will be soft. Hope this helps and thanks for leaving a comment! 
I’m thrilled because I’ll be in Honolulu during the first week or two in August… No idea if there are any good places that sell bento stuff near where I’ll be (most likely staying at the Waikiki Resort)…
Yay, hope you have a great trip!
Marukai at Ward is nearby! Lots of bento supplies there.
Hmm… In that case, I know exactly where I’ll be spending my vacation!
Hi Susan, You are a Supermom in my eyes! I tried to make your bentos and I have even more appreciation for how talented you are. I’m going to send my kid to preschool soon and I’m planning to make her your recipies for school lunches. Thanks for being an inspiration!
Thanks so much Diane!
I would love to see your creations, I bet they are awesome!
Pingback: Island Inspiration for the Keiki Set
I just happened to stumble upon the Bento community today and i have to say this:
I’m 18 and I wish I could have lunch like that to work every day, only bigger (haha!)
Thanks Miranda!
Hey Susan! Love your site!!!!!! My son doesn’t eat sandwiches, sushi, or rice for that matter. Do you have any other food option ideas???? Are there some in your cookbook.
Thanks so much!!!!!
Amanda
Hi Amanda! I’ve been working on a post in regards to your question. It’ll be out soon.
Hi Susan! I love your bento boxes and sites! I live in California, do they sell the cookbooks here??
Hi Morgan! Thanks so much for your interest! My cookbooks can be found on Amazon, unfortunately they are not sold in book stores outside of Hawaii.
i loved to know how old your kids are and if they eat everything you pack for them on average. My child is 6.75 and I still have a hard time figuring out how much to pack. Can you draft a post addressing this perhaps?
Much appreciated.
cg
Hi cg! My kids are 9 and 4 now. I try to make it a habit to pack what I know they will finish and then include a healthy snack just in case they are still hungry. Most days they will finish everything except for the snack but on occasion my little one will only eat half of his lunch. I think that the USDA guideline is a great place to start. http://www.choosemyplate.gov/myplate/index.aspx -this tool helps to figure out what and how much your child should be eating.
Hope that helps.
Hi Susan
.
I love your blog, all these beautiful and funny sandwich-faces that look at me and say “eat me”
I look for your books and now i want to buy your first book but in germany this is very expensive…75 Euro for your first book, that are 97$ and this one isn´t new. Is there a chance for another edition so that the book will be available for a normal price^^
The second book should cost 37$.
Have a nice Day!!!
Hi and thanks for your comment. Please contact my publisher directly to see if there is a more affordable route to get the books to you. http://www.mutualpublishing.com/contact.aspx
Hi Susan! Came across your site from a pinterest link. Your bento lunches inspire me, especially the Phineas & Ferb ones! I have sort of an odd request: i do not have a printer at home, thus cannot play around with print sizes for a Perry, Phineas or Ferb template. Would it be too much to ask of you to email me the pic you used for all three sandwiches? Again, I realize it’s an odd favor to ask, but i’d really like to make the sandwiches for my son’s field trip on Monday and simply have no time to play with differebt sizes at the library with a 4 year old and 6 mo old. I’d really appreciate it!
Also, purchased your book on amazon and cannot wait til Wed when it should be delivered!
Thank you in advance!