In Hawai‘i, food isn’t just about nourishment—it’s how we gather, celebrate, and care for our communities. As part of a new series with Ulupono Initiative, Mana Up is spotlighting local agriculture that’s deeply rooted in island flavors, culture, and values.
In our first installment, Local Style Liquids, we introduce local producers who are blending tradition, innovation, and purpose—not just to create ono products, but to support a more sustainable, self-reliant Hawai‘i. From sourcing local ingredients to rethinking packaging and supply chains, they’re showing how “local style” can lead the way.
Investing in a Stronger Hawai‘i
Ulupono Initiative is a Hawai‘i-focused impact investment firm that strives to strengthen the Islands by investing in local food, renewable energy, clean transportation choices, and better management of freshwater resources. Their vision is simple but powerful: a Hawai‘i that can take care of itself and thrive.
This mission beautifully aligns with Mana Up, a local accelerator and platform supporting Hawai‘i-based value-added product companies with the tools, mentorship, and exposure they need to scale globally while staying rooted locally. Together, Ulupono and Mana Up are helping shape the next chapter of Hawai‘i’s food story.
Meet the Makers
Each brand featured below offers something special: a unique take on what it means to grow, blend, and bottle the flavors of Hawai‘i.
HI Spice
Handcrafted on Maui, HI Spice’s hot sauces are made fresh using locally grown garlic, onions, lilikoi papaya, guava, and other fruits and spices sourced from local farms. From tangy lilikoi to papaya guava, every small batch is representative of the islands’ vibrant agriculture and bold flavors.
“We love supporting our local community by showcasing the amazing farmers we work with to create the most vibrant and spicy flavors,” said Justin Orr, founder of HI Spice. “It’s connected us to the community through something as simple as hot sauce. That relationship—between us, the farmers, and now our customers who’ve supported us for nearly 10 years—has become bigger than ourselves, and because of that, it's even more meaningful. We wouldn’t be where we are without our local farming partners and the loyal fanbase who give us immediate, insightful feedback on every new flavor we create. We’re honored to be part of this community and look forward to supporting it for many years to come.”
Pono Potions
Honolulu-based Pono Potions creates artisanal syrups inspired by Hawai‘i’s vibrant coffee culture and natural beauty. Using local ingredients like Hawaiian honey, lavender, Alaea sea salt, vanilla, and tropical fruits like lilikoi and mango, each syrup is crafted to elevate your favorite drinks and desserts.
Signature flavors include Alaea Salt Caramel, Ali‘i Lavender, Golden La‘ie Vanilla, and ‘Olena Pineapple. Pono Potions offers a delicious way to add a taste of the islands to lattes, cocktails, and more.
“We love supporting our local community by showcasing the amazing farmers we work with to create the most vibrant and spicy flavors."
Courtesy of Vitalitea
Courtesy of Tea Chest Hawaii
Courtesy of Wai Meli Honey
Wai Meli
Produced by Big Island Moonbow Farms, a small-scale beekeeping venture located on Hawai'i Island, Wai Meli offers raw, unfiltered honey harvested from native blossoms—like lehua, eucalyptus, and Christmas berry. Each jar captures the unique floral notes of the island’s diverse landscape, delivering a rich, complex flavor that’s subtly sweet with hints of tropical blossoms and warm spice. It’s as natural and local as honey gets, and serves as a reminder of how vital bees are to our ecosystem.
Tea Chest Hawai‘i
Blending tradition with innovation, Tea Chest Hawai‘i crafts premium wellness teas using Hawai‘i-grown botanicals and thoughtfully sourced ingredients. Each blend features native and locally cultivated plants like ʻōlena (Hawaiian turmeric) and mamaki (a Hawaiian herbal leaf).
Packaged in biodegradable tea sachets, Tea Chest Hawai‘i’s blends are not just good for you, they're good for the planet, too. Every cup is a sustainable, flavorful tribute to Hawai‘i’s healing traditions and rich agricultural heritage.
"Our passion from day one has been to create refined taste with a distinct sense of place—and there's no better way to do that than with Hawai‘i-grown ingredients,” said Byron Goo, CEO of Tea Chest Hawaii. “The number one reason we use locally sourced ingredients when possible is trust. The terroir is clean, free of pollution and acid rain. Hawai‘i's soil is rich and fertile. These elements affect the taste and nutrition of our products. Our local suppliers are hands-on, often living on their farms, and they know everything about the ingredient—what's in it and what isn't."
Vitalitea Hawai‘i
Based on Maui, Hawai‘i, Vitalitea brews small-batch kombucha infused with a vibrant mix of tropical fruits and island-grown herbs. Each bottle is a refreshing, probiotic-rich drink made with ingredients like strawberry, mint, pineapple, turmeric (ʻōlena), ginger, and hibiscus.
Vitalitea captures the bold, bright essence of Hawai‘i in every sip. Committed to sustainability, Vitalitea creates its products at its solar-powered brewery and packages them in infinitely recyclable cans made in Hawaiʻi, proving that being eco-conscious and delicious can go hand in hand.
“We use local ingredients in our products not only to showcase the amazing fruits, roots, and herbs grown in our islands, but also to support the sustainability of our community,” said Will Davis, founder of Vitalitea Hawai‘i. “We have the ability to grow or make almost anything here in Hawai‘i. By supporting local farmers and makers, we lift each other up while staying environmentally responsible—reducing our carbon footprint from shipping. Plus, fresh just tastes better!”
Why Local Matters
Ulupono Initiative and Mana Up believe that by investing in local entrepreneurs we are investing together, in a Hawai’i that thrives for generations to come.
When we support local entrepreneurs, we help strengthen Hawai’i as a whole. We reduce Hawai’i’s dependence on imports, boost our local economy and take care of our island home. Every time you make the choice to support local entrepreneurs, you help Hawai’i take a step toward food security and sustainability.
