aloha · aina · ohana

our story

Ahualoa, Hawaiian for “Long Cloud,” paints a perfect picture of the weather pattern that forms over our town where the majestic Mauna Kea Volcano meets the ruggedly beautiful Hamakua Coast.

Nestled in quaint Honoka’a Town on the Big Island of Hawaii, Ahualoa Family Farms is a small operation with big ambitions. Our family owned and operated farm started from a dream and a few backyard coffee and macadamia nut trees. A dream to get out of the hustle and bustle of California and enjoy the truly important things in life. With a passion for farming and a love for family, Ahualoa Family Farms was the perfect fit for our ohana’s new adventure.

Since taking over the business in 2017, we’ve put our 20 years of farming experience to work by massively expanding the farming operation. We have the honor of caring for and reviving macadamia nut orchards that had been abandoned for about a decade. Tucked away on the historic Hamakua Coast, these are not far from where the very first macadamia nut tree in Hawaii was planted in the 1880’s!

Although macadamia nuts are what we are known for, our tiny coffee planting is quickly gaining a following! With our mild climate, high rainfall, and deep volcanic soils, our 100% Hamakua coffee is one happy camper and shines in every cup. We cannot keep our beans on the shelf and are always planting coffee keiki to keep our loyal followers caffeinated and satisfied!

Our other enormous undertaking has been restoring Hawaii’s oldest macadamia nut factory. Located in Haina Camp below Honoka’a Town, this macadamia nut factory is the reason why Honoka’a used to be known as “The Macadamia Nut Capital of the World.” In addition to what we harvest ourselves, we also buy macadamia nuts from local growers, big and small. Their continuous support and relationships we’ve forged have really brought us all together as a community. We love this town and are honored to bring back this rich agricultural heritage and continue the legacy by turning Hawaii’s oldest mac nut factory into Hawaii’s newest mac nut factory!

From our locally grown Macadamia nuts, to our perfectly roasted coffees, what we grow, produce and sell is “No Ka Oi” –tha best!

Live with aloha, respect the aina, one ohana

becky – office manager

“They’re bouncy, trouncy, flouncy, pouncy fun, fun, fun, fun, fun!” – Tigger

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Computer Information Systems from Cal Poly Pomona. Enjoys doing anything in the sunshine, traveling anywhere, good conversation (over coffee or wine), and having a carefree spirit filled with joy.

Favorite Product: Dark Chocolate Covered Coffee Beans

bren – factory manager

“That’s just, like, your opinion man.” – The Big Lebowski

Lived in Honoka’a since 2002. Graduated from the College of the Rockies in British Columbia, Canada with a focus on adventure tourism business operations. Loves surfing, being outdoors, learning new things and spending time with family.

Favorite Product: Dry Roasted Macadamia Nuts

brittainy – kitchen wahine

“Laughter is timeless, imagination has no age, dreams are forever.” – Walt Disney

Born and raised in the SoCal sun and now living that Hawaii life. Wifey, mama, and house plant hoarder. Loves beach days, breweries, and sunsets. Certified meditation teacher and aspiring end of life doula.

Favorite Product: Dark Chocolate Covered Coffee Beans

chad – bossman

“There’s nothing that a day at the beach can’t fix.”

Self-made farm entrepreneur with a passion for farming and obsession for business. Fascinated by how things work, whether it’s a business plan or macadamia nut factory. Born and raised on a Southern California citrus farm, with a Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy from Cal Poly Pomona University. Loves the outdoors, travel, music, and adventures with the family.

Favorite product: Hawaiian Honey Roasted Macadamia Nuts

chelsea – super momma

“Today you are you! That is truer than true! There is no one alive who is more you-er than you!” – Dr. Seuss

Full-time momma of 3, homeschool teacher, and the glue that holds everything together on this crazy adventure. Bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, lived and received yoga teacher certification at Kona Lani Yoga Ashram, and certified in kids yoga and Buti yoga. Loves dancing, hiking, camping, adventuring with family and spending time in the ocean.

Favorite Product: Light Roast Coffee

gary – kitchen manager

“Shine on & take it easy.”

Grew up on the Big Island & Oahu, raised with love and respect for the ‘aina (land). Family has resided in Ahualoa for over 30 years. 18 years in the restaurant & food industry on the Big Island and the Pacific Northwest.

Favorite Product: Chili Spiced Roasted Macadamia Nuts

justin – quality control and fulfillment director

“That’s a lot of nuts.”

Favorite Product: Dark Chocolate Macadamia Nuts

kia – creative director

“Don’t quit your daydream.”

oCal native, studied Interior Design at the Art Institute of Los Angeles. Curator of Birdie, a women’s virtual lifestyle boutique. A master at multitasking with a passion for anything creative. Loves beading jewelry, making pottery, reading, music, and travel adventures with the fam.

Favorite Product: Dark Chocolate Macadamia Nuts

lisa – farmers market sales

“My mama always said, ‘Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” – Forrest Gump

Married, retired & living her dream at Kona Dreams Ranch, a small horse property on the sunny side of the Big Island. B.S. degree from Cal Poly Pomona in Food Science & Dietetics. Animal lover and devotee to horses, dogs and many other four legged critters. Loves to cook, hike, bike, snorkel, yoga & pilates.

Favorite Product: Macnella Chocolate Macadamia Nut Spread

auntie lucena (left) – coffee picker | kitchen staff

“Picking coffee is just good fun!”

Lived in Honoka’a for 15 years, picking coffee for 12 years. Loves being outdoors, tending to her garden, spending time with family and working with her sister Margarita.

Favorite Product: Dry Roasted Whole Macadamia Nuts

auntie margarita (right) – mac nut sorting artist

“Family is everything.”

Worked in the old mac nut factory in its heyday from 1977 – 1983. Can spot a less-than-perfect macadamia nut from across the room. Loves spending time with family and working with her sister Lucena.

Favorite Product: Maui Onion & Garlic Roasted Macadamia Nuts

matt – director of marketing and sales

“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” – Ferris Bueller

Father, husband, marketer, craft beer nerd. Bachelor’s degree from Cal State Fullerton, received “40 Under 40” award from Corona Chamber of Commerce in 2016. Loves homebrewing, listening to vinyl record collection, hanging with family, baseball, poker, and beach days.

Favorite Product: Light Roast Coffee

ryan – farm manager

“There’s a lot of blood, sweat, and guts between dreams and success.” – Bear Bryant

8 year veteran of US Navy Seabees equipment operator with 1 tour in Okinawa, Japan and 2 tours in Afghanistan. Bachelor’s and master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Laverne. Sports fanatic, cross fit competitor and Varsity Baseball coach at HPA who hates to lose at anything. Married to high school sweetheart Chelsea with 3 kids. Loves camping, hiking, dancing, live music, playing sports, and exploring the Big Island.

Favorite Product: Light Roast Coffee

rex – factory dog

“Somebody rub my belly.”

Whippet / Miniature Pinscher mix. Affectionately known as “Stinky Cheese.” Loves playing fetch, going for walks, visiting Ziggy on the farm, and chasing mongoose.

ziggy – farm dog

“One day, I’ll catch a pig.”

Rhodesian Ridgeback / Whippet mix. Known as “The Lion Tamer,” been a farm dog since a puppy. Loves being on the farm, racing Rex, and chasing pigs out of the orchards.