Celebrating National Pride Month with local flavors, connection, and identity beyond the beverage.
For Peter Hessler, founder of Honolulu-based Pono Potions, running a business isn’t just about selling syrups — it’s about creating a space where people feel seen, celebrated, and connected. As a queer, Native Hawaiian entrepreneur, Hessler has woven his identity and values into the fabric of his brand, shaping everything from product development to community events.
“Being a queer founder naturally shapes how I approach Pono Potions,” he says. “I’m always thinking about how to create an inclusive and welcoming space, not just for our customers but for our entire community.” That vision comes to life in joyful ways: drag brunches, First Friday art shows spotlighting LGBTQ+ artists, and product collaborations with fellow queer creatives.
Creating a Safe Space
Hessler’s Chinatown coffee bar and production space have become more than a place to grab a drink — they’re a cultural hub and safe space. “It’s incredibly meaningful,” he shares. “Hawaiʻi has deep cultural roots in acceptance and aloha, and being part of that tradition while also representing the queer community — and as a Native Hawaiian-owned business — feels powerful.”
The brand’s mission is deeply tied to Hessler’s identity. “The spirit of celebration and self-expression is baked into everything we do,” he explains. That’s evident during Pride Month, when Pono Potions goes all out: hosting drag brunches, launching exclusive Pride drinks with proceeds benefiting the Hawaiʻi LGBT Legacy Foundation, and supporting events and fundraisers. But Hessler is intentional about making that celebration year-round. “I hope Pono Potions helps normalize and celebrate queer visibility in all spaces — not just during Pride Month, but every day.”
“I’m always thinking about how to create an inclusive and welcoming space, not just for our customers but for our entire community.”
Above: Peter Hessler and partner Michael Cabagbag (hero image). Pono Potions created a custom POG-flavored syrup in celebration of Hawaiian Airlines' 95th Anniversary. It will be featured at Mana Up's booth at the Made in Hawaii Festival.
Below: Pono Potions' Pa'ina Pog Mixer (left) and the Ali'i Lavender syrup (right), and a recent collab with fashion designer David Shepard (underneath).
That visibility also comes with vulnerability. “Being out and visible as a founder carries both joys and challenges,” Hessler says. “It’s about showing up authentically every day, while also navigating spaces that haven’t always been inclusive. But it’s also an incredible opportunity — to create the kind of business culture you wish existed, and to model that for others.” Fortunately, the support he’s received — from Chinatown locals to organizations like the Hawaiʻi Health and Harm Reduction Center — has been energizing.
And the momentum is growing. “We’re seeing more visibility and momentum, which is exciting — but there’s still room to grow,” Hessler notes. That’s why partnerships with other LGBTQ+ businesses, like designer David Shepard, matter. “The more we support and amplify each other, the stronger the presence of LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs will become.”
Running a Winning Business
Hessler is proud of how far Pono Potions has come. Winning the Most Innovative Small Business Award from Pacific Edge Magazine was a major milestone, but his proudest moments are often the most personal. “Seeing how our community has embraced us — from loyal customers to fellow makers — is something I’m proud of every day.”
Looking ahead, Pono Potions is preparing to launch a new limited-edition flavor at this year’s Made in Hawaiʻi Festival, while continuing to grow its network of creative partnerships. “Most importantly, we want to keep finding ways to infuse more joy, creativity, and aloha into everything we do — and to keep growing as a proudly queer, Native Hawaiian-owned business.”
His advice for aspiring LGBTQ+ founders? “Be unapologetically yourself — your authenticity is what will resonate with the right customers and partners. Build community, not just a business. And don’t be afraid to take up space — Hawaiʻi needs your voice and your creativity.”
