Meet our Makers - Edition 1

1. Outpost Coffee Kaua'i

Locally grown and sustainably maintained, Outpost Coffee Kauai extends beyond a bag of beans. Getting their start in 2017, the Kauai-based coffee growers used their farm land, Kahiliholo Orchard, as an outdoor classroom.

The company sought out sustainable growing practices, seeking education and dabbling in experimentation to perfect the seed-to-roast process, to make that tasty morning brew. The passion-driven project has resulted in a delicious brew that sustains a healthy ecosystem and flourishing biome. Sharing their enthusiasm for lifelong learning, Outpost Coffee Kauai offers visitors the opportunity to take a guided tour of the Orchard and learn from the land.     

2. Meli Wraps

Mother knows best and the founding duo of Meli Wraps, are moms first and foremost. The mompreneurs were raised on the Garden Isle of Kauai, where they spent much of their free time playing amongst some of the planet’s most awe-inspiring nature. It was no surprise when these women teamed up, creating an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic cling wrap. Meli Wraps is the natural and reusable beeswax alternative for food dish coverings.

The Hawaii-made wrap comes in a variety of aloha print - an homage to the womens island home. Wanting to minimize their plastic waste the reusable storage wraps from renewable, organic materials contributes to the health of the planet and their own keiki by minimizing their exposure to plastic toxins - proving that mother really does know best!

Photo: meliwraps.com

3. Nourish Hanalei

An intrinsic need to give back to the community runs in the family at Nourish Hanalei. Formed by three sisters, the tiny farm stand on Kauai has grown from a vision to fruition. The ultimate in female fortitude, these visionary women launched Nourish Hanalei from the literal ground up.

Implementing sustainable, hands-on organic farming practices, they grow many of the tropical fruits they then use to make dried fruit leathers, chocolate spreads, tea blends, and more. These sustainable sisters have made it easy for their community to choose local, healthy foods that support their small town’s economy - and their small town has reciprocated the support throughout their journey.

4. Ekahi

Sourcing their product from hook-and-line fishermen in the local Kauai community, Ekahi guarantees their product is sustainable - something at which their big brand competitors fall short. But beyond the sustainability of our sea life and its delicately balanced marine ecosystem, Ekahi is also embracing a classic island pastime; the hook-and-line fishing culture (one man, one fishing line), a hobby of many on the island.

By exclusively canning local catches from Hawai'i fishermen, Ekahi promotes what the Hawaiians deemed pono, a balance in the local economy and the careful use of the resources from their seaside home.     

5. Hawaii Peeps

The tropical sun and the turquoise sea is what draws so many to the shores of Hawaii, and the founder of Hawaii Peeps is no exception. It was this same source of natural inspiration that was the origin of Hawaii Peeps.

With the health of Hawaii’s famed coral reefs threatened by chemicals in common sunscreens, but the need for sun protection unavoidable, Hawaii Peeps saw the need for natural sun protection we can feel good about. The line of environmentally safe, locally made, kid-friendly sun care has been as popular as the tropical destination from which its inspiration was drawn.