The Hawai‘i Agricultural Foundation has partnered up with Searider Productions at Wai‘anae High School—a collective of teachers, students and programs dedicated to helping the students of the Wai‘anae complex succeed in all their endeavors—to film and profile O‘ahu farmers and value-added producers to highlight the amazing work happening in Hawai‘i’s agricultural industry.
Meet Our 2024 Localicious® Heroes
Made possible in part by a grant from the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture, made possible by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) FY21.*
Small Kine Farms
“We are the only organic portobello farm in Hawaii,” said Fung Yang, owner of Small Kine Farm. “We pride ourselves on offering the freshest and highest quality mushrooms you can find.” Since 2009, Small Kine Farm has operated on a 4.7 acre of land...
Kākoʻo ʻŌiwi
Kākoʻo ʻŌiwi on East Oʻahu is not just about farming; it’s about weaving the vibrant tapestry of Hawaiian culture back into the land. "At Kākoʻo ʻŌiwi, we’re an educational nonprofit leasing about 400 acres from the state,” said Nick Reppun, farm...
Kahumana
Kahumana's mission is to co-create a healthy, inclusive, and productive farm-based community with homeless families, people with disabilities, and youth.It’s mission-driven work is grounded in the values of: Mindfulness | Maka’ala Empathy | Aloha...
*Funding for Localicious Heroes was made possible by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service through Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) FY21 COVID, grant 21SCBPHI1064-00. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the USDA.
Previous Localicious® Heroes
Kōloa Rum
Premium Rum from Kaua‘i that Offers a Taste of Aloha Established in 2009, Kōloa Rum is rooted in the same town where Hawai‘i’s commercial sugarcane production originated in 1835. As the first licensed distillery on Kaua‘i, each drink packs a...
Lum Farm
Dehydrating Locally Grown Fruit for a Healthy and Hearty Snack Sweet, delicious and organic products are exactly what you can find at Lum Farm in Waialua, Hawai‘i. Lum Farm is a locally owned and operated business, founded by the amazing mother and...
Kahuku Farms
Connecting the Farm to Food Experience through a Generational Passion Amongst the hidden gems on the North Shore of O‘ahu, the multigenerational Kahuku Farms works tirelessly to bring an innovative farm to table experience. Run by fourth generation...
Kapena Tequila
Premium Tequila Spiced with Local Staples From handcrafted bottles to island inspired flavors, Kapena Tequila boasts a premium taste that can’t be found anywhere else. Valuing the discovery of new and authentic ways to craft their tequila, this...
Kailua Honey
Small Honey Farm Creating a Big Impact Bees aren’t the only hard workers of this extraordinary family apiary (collection of beehives). Shiyana Wainscoat is Kailua Honey’s honey mixologist, the Queen Bee, if you will. Through Kailua Honey, Wainscoat...
Kilani Brew Handcrafted Tea
Serving a Healthy, Delicious Tea that can be Found on O‘ahu Kilani Brew’s Handcrafted Tea is a calming reminder of the beauty found in Hawai‘i’s local flora and fauna. Established on a one-acre plot in Kunia, Donovan Dela Cruz’s company was created...
‘MA Farm
One Farm’s Mission to Spread the Vision of a Food Secure Hawai‘i Boasting chemical, pesticide, and fertilizer-free practices, ‘MA Farm in Waimanalo seeks to provide produce for its church and local community. Recently reestablished in Waimanalo in...
Kuilima Farm
Farm to Resort Operation on the Path to Becoming Self-Sustainable Translating to holding hands with the ‘āina in Hawaiian, Kuilima Farm aims to connect the people to the land, as well as help address Hawai‘i’s food insecurity by providing fresh,...
Lokoea Farms
The Duo Farming Citrus so Tangy and Sweet, it will make your Mouth Water Cozily tucked away along Hale‘iwa’s ‘Anahulu River, family-run Lokoea Farms produces some of Hawai‘i’s juiciest fruits. Noe Neumann, second generation owner of Lokoea Farms,...
Laie Vanilla
Five Years in the Making, this Small Vanilla Farm has Turned into a Family Operated Super Orchard Nestled inside the beautiful community of Laie, you can find the sweetest family-owned vanilla farm with even sweeter products. Saili Levi runs the...
Kō Hana Rum
Celebrating Hawai‘i’s Heirloom Sugarcane with Craft Agricole Rum In Hawaiian, the word Kō’ means sugarcane and the word Hana means to work. Together, Kō Hana means work the sugar cane and is now the name of one of Hawai‘i’s finest Rum companies....
Ka‘ala Farm
Going Back to Our Roots at Ka‘ala Farm Ka‘ala Farm offers a serene and safe place for many of the community members to visit and reconnect with the ancestors of Wai‘anae. Reaching back to the early 1970’s, a group of youths stumbled upon rock...
Hawaiian Vinegar Company
Food Waste to Healthy Taste Sharp, pungent, and zesty aren’t usually words you would use to describe something you flavor your food with. However, if we were talking about vinegar then that’s exactly what you want to hear. Hawaiian Vinegar Company...
Aloha Tofu
Generations of Local Tofu-Making Aloha Tofu is the largest O‘ahu based tofu company, but it didn’t start out that way. The family business was founded in 1950 by Kamesaburo and Tsuruko Uyehara and is now run by its fourth-generation owner, Paul...
Honolulu Coffee Company
A Farm to Cup Business That’s More Than Just Coffee Beans The smell of freshly brewed coffee greets visitors as they step into Honolulu Coffee Company. Established in 1992 out of a small kiosk in downtown Honolulu, the company's goal was to bring...
Hiki No Farms
Pineapples for One Hiki No Farms’ sweet and juicy pineapples are the perfect treat for one. Located on the Hawaiʻi Agricultural Foundation's (HAF) Ag Park in Kunia, Michael Okamura grows delicious pineapples and bananas as a part-time farmer. An ad...
HI ‘Ulu Cooperative
Collective Farming is Leading the Comeback of ‘Ulu ‘Ulu, the ancient fruit brought to Hawai‘i by native Polynesians voyaging through the Pacific Ocean, is making a comeback thanks to Hawai‘i ‘Ulu Cooperative. For over a thousand years ‘ulu, also...
For J’s Hawai‘i
Bringing Sugar, Spice, and Everything Nice to Hawai‘i For J’s Hawai‘i has created some of the most savory seasonings and condiments made locally. Started in the kitchen of Janis Tanga’s home whose flavors and recipes beckoned friends and neighbors...
Ahiki Acres
Aina and Kakou at Ahiki Acres Among the beautiful backroads of Waimānalo, you’ll find Ahiki Acres - a small 1.25-acre farm that was co-founded by Haylee Miyaoka and Matt McKinnon. Started in 2019, Ahiki Acres, named after the third peak that...
Mountain View Farms
Wai‘anae Farm Promotes Healthy Living for All Nestled in the valley of Wai‘anae, Mountain View Farms is a beacon for all those looking to live the healthiest lifestyle they can. This family run farm offers their knowledge and products that will...
O‘ahu Honey Company
Re-Housing Bees across the Island to Soothe Hawai‘i’s Desire for Honey Overlooking several acres of Aloun Farms in Kapolei, O‘ahu Honey Company’s assortment of bee hives are busy pollinating the farm as well as nearby crops to produce sweet,...
KOHO & Mauna Loa
Distributing Hawaiian Treats all Around the Globe KOHO, meaning ‘select’ or ‘choice’ in Hawaiian represents Hawaiian Host’s contribution to the luxury chocolate game by offering bite-sized bonbons made from some of Hawai‘i’s finest cocoa and other...
Makaha Mangoes
One of O‘ahu’s Last Standing Mango Farms in MakahaGrowing and harvesting mango trees since the 1950’s, Makaha Mangoes has been providing the island and local community with some of the juiciest mangoes for years. Mark and Candy Suiso are the...
Mari’s Gardens
Hawai‘i’s Largest Hydroponics Farm Run by Mililani FamilyNestled in the bustling community of Mililani, you can find Hawai‘i’s largest hydroponics farm growing produce for the surrounding community and island. Founded in 2007 by Fred Lau, Mari’s...
Metrogrow Hawai‘i
Harvesting Lettuce and Microgreens in the Concrete Jungle of Kaka‘akoBased in the hustle and bustle of Kaka‘ako, there isn’t much land to farm on. Kerry Kakazu embraced this and purposefully built Metrogrow Hawai‘i indoors where he can control the...
Nalo Meli Honey
An Island Wide Bee Keeping Operation Dedicated to Pollinating Local FlavorsWith small bee farms located in Kailua, Kahala, and Pupukea, Nalo Meli Honey was formed to aid in the task of pollinating native plants and harvesting honey from local flora...
Piko Provisions
Making Baby Food so Healthy and Tasty, it Will Make any Meal Time the Highlight of Your Child’s DayProviding Hawai‘i’s only local growing and manufacturing business for baby food, Piko Provisions sets out to cultivate a link between our ‘āina and...
Pono Provisions
Providing the Bridge between Small Farm and Home to Bring you Locally Produced Goods and Empower Small BusinessesWith the ability to order local products off of their website and have them delivered straight to your home, Farm Link became an...
Pop Culture Artisan
Exceptional Quality Paired with Enticing Flavors Make these Popsicles a Must Try TreatPop Culture Artisan's mission is "to redefine the traditional ice pop, and to bring new and innovative flavors to Hawai‘i,” shared owner Justin Udom. Finding...
Sweet Land Farm
A Dairy Farm with a Heart of GoatBelieving in a good diet and nutritious soil as the key to raising strong and healthy goats, Sweet Land Farm produces a variety of the finest goat milk products made in Hawai‘i. Owned and operated by Emma Bello and...
Sumida Farms
Historical Family Farm Producing Crisp and Fresh Watercress from Natural Island Spring Water Founded by family farmers Makiyo and Moriichi Sumida in 1928, Sumida Farm began on five-acres of land that it is home to Kalauao Spring. Now run by...
Top Notch Fruits
One of the most Community Driven Farms Growing Pesticide-Free FruitsFounded by Lily Cabinatan, a retired teacher and principal turned farmer, Top Notch Farms prides itself in growing produce without the use of pesticides and chemicals. Instead of...
3B Livestock
An Inside Look into Hawai‘i’s Ranching Industry 3B Livestock is a cattle and horse transportation business that is run by Bridget Napier. The company is driven to keep local ranching alive. “We all tried to run away from doing anything related to...
Tradition Coffee Roasters
Family Owned Coffee Shop Connects the Community through CoffeeFor Brian Burik, owner and co-founder of Tradition Coffee Roasters, coffee has always been more than just a caffeinated drink. After retiring as a New York Fire Fighter of 21 years, he...
Waialua Fresh
A Farm on a Mission to Relocalize Hawai‘i’s EggsWaiālua Fresh is producing sustainably driven, cage-free eggs, and supporting local communities and farmers all over the island. Formed 10 years ago by Hidden Villa Ranch and Rose Acre Farms,...