Talk Story

When it came time to choose a teabag, we wanted to put as much thought and care into it as we do with every other step. We figured finding something plastic and chemical-free should be easy, right?

On July 1, the new māmaki labeling law (HB496) officially went into effect (ACT 242). Although the bill was signed into law, Governor Green has publicly acknowledged its flaws and has committed to working with legislators to amend the language moving forward. In the governor’s own words: “While the intent of this measure is to ensure consumer protection and reliable Made in Hawai‘i labeling, the bill imposes overly strict labeling requirements that could harm small businesses and māmaki producers who responsibly blend leaves from multiple sources. Prohibiting the labeling of products composed of less than 100% māmaki tea as ‘māmaki’ ignores...

Since 2013, our family has been part of the movement to bring Māmaki tea back into daily life. We’ve watched this once-forgotten plant become a powerful part of Hawai‘i’s regenerative agriculture, local economy, and wellness culture. But the new bill HB496 CD1 scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2025 now threatens to undo years of hard work, putting our farmers, small businesses, and the future of Māmaki at risk. Many are calling this the Māmaki Blackout Bill. This bill is meant to protect authenticity in Hawaiian-grown products, which we absolutely support. However, in its current form, HB496 would make...

At Waimea Herb Company, we believe the best things in farming and in life are shared. That’s why we’re excited to introduce our Seed Share Program, a new initiative built to support the farmers in our supply network by keeping valuable seeds, cuttings, and young plants in circulation. Whether it’s an extra handful of seeds or a grove of banana keiki that needs a new home, we want to make sure nothing goes to waste and everything has the chance to grow. What Is the Seed Share Program? The Seed Share Program is a resource-sharing initiative that allows farmers in...