Our Story

In early 2011, we taught a free afterschool program at our local Native Hawaiian charter school, Kanu o ka Āina, for staff children and students who needed something to do afterschool. This afterschool program was called Huli Ka Lima I Lalo.

"Huli ka lima i lalo" is Hawaiian for "turn the hands downwards". We are taught as children that when your hands are up, you are asking or begging for something to be given to you. When your hands are turned downwards, you are not waiting to be given something but instead are doing the work to get it done yourself.

We taught kids of all ages and backgrounds how to grow their own food and create gardens. Even with no yard you can grow something. And something is better than nothing.

Each student learned to prepare, improve, plant, maintain, harvest and then cook what they grew in their gardens.

 During this time we also taught them about the native Hawaiian and other types of plants they could use for dyes, cordage and, lei making, as well as teas and plants used for medicine. While they loved every lesson, they especially loved learning about tea.

The very first tea we created was our M āmaki Chamomile Sweet Tea. The students loved it and they got to take their tea bags home. During the next class, we got requests from families to make more teas to take home. Later, the school staff members asked about trying some teas because they heard all about it from their students and families.

Soon, we started making teas for school and community events. Then birthday parties. Then graduation parties. And then they asked for bags to give as Christmas gifts.

This is how the Waimea Herb Company was born.

We had always grown and given away māmaki tea, fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices to our friends, family, and neighbors. Starting a company was scary but, as we grew and saw how big of a positive impact we had on our community, we were so thankful we did it.

We come from a long line of farmers from all over the world. It is in both our DNA and destiny to both grow for and grow with our community. Our goal is to take care of the people who have always cared for us.

We live and farm right here in Waimea on Hawaii Island and hope to serve our community for many more years.

We are four generations working together to create each cup.

Every tea bag is filled by hand with love.

All of the ingredients are carefully selected to fill each cup of tea with the finest flavors possible.

From our family to yours, we hope you enjoy!