Kai Andersen

Seasoned Multilingual Lifestyle Editor and Writer

Former editor-in-chief of Modern Luxury Hawai'i now based in San Juan, Puerto Rico

Raised in Hawai'i, educated in New York and now settled in the Caribbean, I have a keen passion for lifestyle stories—arts and culture, style and fashion, design, travel, and personalities. Over the course of my media career, I've interviewed screen talents, crafted editorial on leading luxury brands from The St. Regis to Louis Vuitton, and shone a spotlight on aspiring talents and eclectic topics. (Think rare Hawaiian leis or destination Indian weddings). On the practical side, I craft smart, tightly crafted copy that speaks to sophisticated markets—all on tight deadlines.

In addition to writing, I've overseen all steps of the print editorial process—including developing issue lineups; collaborating with writers, photographers and designers to create sparkling stories; top editing copy; and art directing shoots. (I even dressed a top pro surfer in a Carolina Herrera jacket for an issue cover!)

Besides my native English, I am fluent in French (thanks to a graduate degree) and have honed my conversational Spanish (after living for 9 years in Puerto Rico).

Portfolio

Celebrities, Personalities & Talents

Honolulu Magazine
05/01/2023
Ha'aheo Zablan

Profile of Kaimana Beach Hotel General Manager Ha'aheo Hablan

Punahou School
07/19/2019
Alumni Profile: Vanessa Adams '88 - Punahou School

By Kai Andersen It is no understatement to say Vanessa Adams '88 has gone the extra mile in her career, figuratively and literally. She's currently a vice president at Alliance for a Green Revolution for Africa (AGRA), a Nairobi-based agricultural organization.

Modern Luxury Hawai'i - March/April 2015
3/1/2015
"Class Act"

Profile of Oscar-winning actress Marcia Gay Harden during visit to Hawaii International Film Festival | Also art directed photo shoot

Modern Luxury Hawai'i - Holiday 2013
11/1/2013
"The Princess Diaries"

Q&A with HRH Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece

Modern Luxury Hawai'i - Holiday 2013
11/1/2013
"Natural Wonder"

Profile of actress Serinda Swan (USA's Graceland)

Modern Luxury Hawai'i - Holiday 2013
11/1/2013
"Royal Pursuits"

Profile of polo patron HH The Maharaja Gaj Singh of Marwar-Jodhpur, India during his visit to Hawai'i

Modern Luxury Hawai'i - Holiday 2012
11/1/2012
"Island Import"

Interview with actress Autumn Reeser on filming an ABC series in Hawai'i

Modern Luxury Hawai'i - Holiday 2012
11/1/2012
"Islanders Away"

Profile of actress Kristina Anapau (Black Swan and True Blood) for Islanders Away feature

Modern Luxury Hawai'i - Holiday 2012
11/1/2012
"Islanders Away"

Profile of Dancing With The Stars' Carrie Ann Inaba in "Islanders Away" feature

Modern Luxury Hawai'i - Fall 2012
9/1/2012
"Glam Getter"

Interview of model and media personality Kimora Lee Simmons

Travel

Modern Luxury Hawai'i
11/01/2019
Above and Beyond

Profile on Espacio Waikiki luxury boutique hotel

Los Angeles Confidential - Oct. 2017
10/1/2017
"Natural Wonder"

Travel piece on The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort, Puerto Rico. Also ran concurrently in Michigan Avenue and Capitol File magazines.

Modern Luxury Hawai'i - July/Aug. 2017
7/1/2017
"Caribbean Chic"

Travel story on San Juan, Puerto Rico featuring top hotels like the Condado Vanderbilt and La Concha, restaurant Santaella and more

Modern Luxury Hawai'i - May/June 2015
5/1/2015
"The Art of Lounging"

Travel opener on refreshed Hotel Wailea on Maui

Modern Luxury Hawai'i - Holiday 2013
11/1/2013
"Maui Marvelous"

Travel opener featuring opening of Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort

Modern Luxury Hawai'i - Sept./Oct. 2013
9/1/2013
"Natural Wonders"

Travel story on Four Seasons Resort Hualalai and adjacent Hualalai Resort

Modern Luxury Hawai'i - March/April 2013
3/1/2013
"Gather 'Round!"

Travel piece on Honua Kai Resort & Spa on Maui

Style & Fashion

Hawai'i Insider's Guide
01/01/2020
O Tahiti!

Beauty piece on Language of the Bird's Monoi oil line

Hawai'i Insider's Guide
01/01/2020
South Seas Splendor

Wellness story on Taurumi massage treatment at SpaHalekulani

Modern Luxury Hawai'i - Holiday 2017
11/1/2017
"Fresh Start"

Round-up of sophisticated men's grooming products

Modern Luxury Hawai'i - July/August 2017
7/1/2017
"Rise & Shine"

Profile of former Versace model Travis Trigger Smith

Modern Luxury Hawai'i - July/August 2017
7/1/2017
"Endless Summer"

Q&A with pro surfer-turned-clothing designer Kahana Kalama

Modern Luxury Hawai'i - May/June 2017
5/1/2017
"Generation Next"

Shopping profile of Honolulu indie label Salvage Public

Modern Luxury Hawai'i - Holiday 2015
11/1/2015
"Flight of Fancy"

Front-of-book opener on NY-Hawai'i based label Language of the Birds

Modern Luxury Hawai'i - May/June 2015
5/1/2015
"Lei Days"

Collaborative article on Hawaiian leis and style | Also art directed photo shoot featuring custom floral creations

Modern Luxury Hawai'i - March/April 2015
3/1/2015
"Culture of Glamour"

Piece and style shoot on Hawaiian Ni'ihau shell jewelry | Also art directed photo shoot

Modern Luxury Hawai'i - Holiday 2014
11/1/2014
"Chic Confessions"

Style piece on renowned jeweler Harry Winston's Secrets collection

Modern Luxury Hawai'i - July/August 2014
7/1/2014
"Up to the Minute"

Front-of-book profile of top Swiss watch brand Girard Perregaux and CEO Michele Sofisti during visit to Honolulu

Modern Luxury Hawai'i - May/June 2014
5/1/2014
"Cool de Sac"

Introduction of new collection from Louis Vuitton

Modern Luxury Hawai'i - March/April 2014
3/1/2014
"Glamorous Liaisons"

Art directed and penned Style piece highlighting pieces by Hawai'i designers Maggie Coulombe and Jason Dow

Modern Luxury Hawai'i - March/April 2014
3/1/2014
"Vintage Modern"

Style opener featuring local men's fashion

Modern Luxury Hawai'i - May/June 2013
5/1/2013
"Sweet Sensation"

Profile of Dylan Lauren, founder of Dylan's Candy Bar and daughter of Ralph Lauren

Modern Luxury Hawai'i - March/April 2013
3/1/2013
"Frock Star"

Interview with Maui-based designer Maggie Coulombe

Hawai'i

Modern Luxury Hawai'i - Sept./Oct. 2018
09/01/2018
Lei of Luster

Profile of high-end lei purveyor Kaua'i Curators

Modern Luxury Hawai'i - Sept./Oct. 2017
9/1/2017
"High Notes"

Profile of Hawai'i Island-raised Grammy winner Kalani Pe'a

Modern Luxury Hawai'i - May/June 2017
5/1/2017
"The Wayfinder"

Profile of model and traditional Hawaiian navigator Austin Kino for first Modern Luxury Hawai'i's Men of the Moment feature

Modern Luxury Hawai'i - March/April 2017
3/1/2017
"Dance On"

Profile of Miss Aloha Hula Kayli Ka'iulani Carr

Modern Luxury Hawai'i - July/August 2015
"Genius in a Bottle"

Profile of top Hawai'i recording artist Amy Hanaiali'i and her foray into winemaking

Modern Luxury Hawai'i - May/June 2014
"Class Act"

Profile of Grammy-nominated Hawaiian music artist Raiatea Helm | Art directed photo shoot

Arts & Culture

Modern Luxury Hawai'i
11/01/2019
High Notes

Profile of visually impaired singer Laurie Rubin

Modern Luxury Hawai'i - Sept./Oct. 2015 issue
9/1/2015
"Kiwi Connection"

Art & Culture opener on World of Wearable Art exposition from New Zealand

Modern Luxury Hawai'i - Holiday 2014
12/1/2014
"Talent Show"

Profile of French painter Betty Martin

Modern Luxury Hawai'i - Holiday 2014
11/1/2014
"Artistic Endeavors"

I curated and edited the Holiday edition arts feature, penning several pieces myself

Modern Luxury Hawai'i - Holiday 2013
11/1/2013
"State of the Arts"

For the 2013 arts feature, I reached out to some of the most inspiring figures in the islands' arts community. Some were so interesting I interviewed them myself.

Modern Luxury Hawai'i - July/August 2013
7/1/2013
"Indian Stunners"

Fun piece on a wave of Indian destination weddings taking place in Hawai'i in 2010s.

Architecture & Design

Modern Luxury Hawai'i - July/August 2015
7/1/2015
"Camera-Ready"

Profile of interior designer Lauren Makk from HGTV and The Fab Life

Modern Luxury Hawai'i - Sept./Oct. 2014
9/1/2014
"The Hot List"

Curated fall 2014 design feature, penning several pieces and directing two portrait shoots

Modern Luxury Hawai'i - March/April 2014
3/1/2014
"No Place Like Home"

Design profile on Hawai'i-raised interior designer Summer Jensen

Modern Luxury Hawai'i - May/June 2013
5/1/2013
"Natural Beauty"

Design story of Hawai'i Island-based architect Mark de Reus

Modern Luxury Hawai'i - Fall 2012
9/1/2012
"Asia Major"

Architecture profile on Japanese-inspired beach house on Windward O'ahu

Features & Special Projects

Hawai'i Insider's Guide
12/1/2015
Hawai'i Insider's Guide launch issue

I directed editorial for Modern Luxury's first visitor market publication in the islands, Hawai'i Insider's Guide

Modern Luxury Hawai'i - May/June 2016
5/1/2016
"20 Pursuits of Modern Luxury"

For the Modern Luxury Hawai'i May 2016 issue, I curated this feature, with the help of my writers, to highlight 20 unique luxury products, services and experiences in the islands.

Modern Luxury Hawai'i - March/April 2014
3/1/2014
Best of the Islands 2014

For The Best of the Islands 2014, I secured actor Henry Ian Cusick (of hit series Lost and The 100) to open the feature. My writers and I then went to work!