Spirits · Kunia, Hawaii

Ko Hana Distillers

Hawaiian agricole rum from heirloom sugarcane, one variety per bottle.

Founded by: Jason Brand, Robert Dawson
Based in: Kunia, Hawaii

Their story

Kō Hana Distillers farms on Oahu, northwest of Honolulu. Founders Jason Brand and Robert Dawson set out to revive native Hawaiian sugarcane varieties, many of which had nearly vanished, gathering cuttings with guidance from ethnobotanist Dr. Noa Lincoln.

Today the farm grows dozens of heirloom canes and treats each like a grape variety, bottling single-cane rums that show their differences. The company has expanded with additional acreage in Hale'iwa on the North Shore.

How it's made

Each cane variety is harvested and pressed in the field, and the fresh juice ferments right away for four to six days before distillation in a hybrid still. The unaged Kea rests in stainless steel and is labeled by cane variety, while Koa is aged in oak and finished in Hawaiian koa wood barrels.