The purpose of starting Big Island Moonbow Farms in 2011 was to help the plight of the honey bee, and with it came a sweet result: Wai Meli Honey (waimeli.com). For owners and apiculturists Kevin Sebag and Kristen Garrett, running an organic honeybee farm is a true labor of love. In order to maintain honeybee health and hive management, they run a breeding program that rears Hawaiian queens with Italian and Carniolan genetics for optimum health and behavioral results.
PHOTO COURTESY OF BIG ISLAND MOONBOW FARMS L.L.C.
The bees are unheated to retain nutritional quality, and the resulting raw, local honey retains the pollen and all of its amino acids, enzymes and minerals. Thanks to the apiary’s diverse foliage on its Hāmākua farm, each seasonal harvest results in differences in color, flavor, aroma and consistency depending on the blossom preferences of the bees. The brand’s Kona Coast location produces the kiawe blossom varietal, while Java plum blossom comes from North Kohala. The bestselling lehua blossom honey is one you can only find in Hawai‘i—the lehua flower grows on the ‘ōhi‘a tree and is endemic to Hawaiian Islands. Pick up a jar of the golden treat at the Pukalani Farmers Market in Waimea or the KCC Farmers Market on O‘ahu, and be sure to try their Wai Meli Jun on tap: the “Champagne of kombucha” is fermented, kegged and flavored with different local fresh fruit, juices, herbs and spices for an elegant and smooth taste profile.