From Cottage Industry to Commercial Enterprise Entrepreneurs

Meet The Entrepreneurs

From Cottage Industry to Commercial Enterprise

These local value-added entrepreneurs were selected by application for Hawaii Ag & Culinary Alliance’s® (HACA) ChefZone Presents From Cottage Industry to Commercial Enterprise Program in partnership with Leeward Community College (Leeward CC) and the Wahiawa Value-Added Product Development Center (WVAPDC). Their innovative food products showcase the best of Hawaii-grown, raised and caught ingredients. Explore their delicious offerings below!

Cohort 3 - 2024

Aloha Aina Farms Haleiwa

John Rust

John Rust grew up in Lahaina, Maui with a passion for diverse culinary tastes and an entrepreneurial spirit. Combined with his love of local, fresh, and unique ingredients, John created his signature Haleiwa Smoked Habanero Pineapple sauce. This flavorful creation from his brand Aloha Aina Farms is a representation of John’s dedication to crafting exceptional culinary dishes. He has learned to capture the essence of Hawaii’s bountiful produce using his creative flair in blending distinct flavors.

Aloha Raw

Aloha Bugakova

With over 30 years of experience in the food industry, Aloha Bugakova has cultivated an extensive understanding of the culinary world. Throughout her career, Aloha has founded and operated several international projects, ranging from Tea Culture House and Tea Museum to Lifefood restaurants and detox spas. In 2016, Aloha and her husband, Den Koro, an international chef and Healthy Chefs Trainer, established Aloha Raw, LLC. Being based in Lahaina, Maui, Aloha has a mission to advocate for healthy gourmet foods throughout the Hawaiian Islands.

Big Island Bitters

Summer Akuna

Being born and raised on the Big Island, Summer Akuna grew to develop a deep appreciation for the beauty of the land and sea. For the past twenty-two years, she has been a dedicated team member at Mauna Kea Beach Resort, serving in various positions from server and beverage cart attendant to bartender. The mission of Big Island Bitters is to introduce locally crafted bitters made from sustainable, high-quality ingredients, becoming a staple in bars and restaurants globally, and sharing a taste of Hawaii with a few drops of liquid aloha at a time.

For J's Hawaii

Janis Tanga

Born and raised on Oahu, Janis Tanga, embodies a rich fusion of family values and culinary expertise. Driven by her family’s passion for food and the treasured moments gathered around the dinner table, Janis embarked on a mission to extend that enthusiasm beyond her own family. Through her own unique products, including Macadamia Nut Basil Pesto Salad Dressing, Steak Poke Sauce, Kiawe Liquid Smoke, and a line of chili oils, she aims to bring community to dinner tables worldwide with her company, For J’s Hawaii.

Humble Food Design

Robert Kekoa

Robert Lopaka Kekoa Jr., better known as Paka, is the owner and founder of Humble Food Design. At 47 years old, Robert serves as a dedicated firefighter for the Honolulu City and County Fire Department. His company, Humble Food Design, blends innovative flavors with timeless classics to ensures that everyone can enjoy their favorite Hawaii-inspired chili pepper waters. Crafted with one hundred percent Hawaiian chili peppers, Humble Food Design delivers a delightful zing straight from the islands.

Island Sausage

Terrence Enomoto

A graduate of the Culinary Program at Leeward Community College who rose through the ranks to Sous Chef at MW Restaurant, Terrence Enomoto is as an award-winning salami producer and recognized as the premier salami artisan on the island. Today, Terrence merges his culinary expertise with artisanal skill in sausage making at Island Sausage. With a mission to craft distinctive flavors that resonate with locals by blending innovative recipes with traditional ones, Island Sausage adds a unique twist that set them apart.

Kupuna Kalo

Weston Yap

Weston Yap currently holds the position of Farm to School Coordinator at the Hawaii Department of Education. With a goal to simplify the complexities of the system that make it difficult to serve Hawaii-grown produce and meats in school meals, Kupuna Kalo, was founded to honor the food crops of our ancestors and produce products that not only meet regulatory requirements, but exceed expectations for taste, nutrition, and safety in school meal programs.

Mauna Kea Trading Company

Gloria Ilagan

Gloria Iligan, a first-generation immigrant farmer originally from the Philippines, began farming in South Kona at a young age alongside her family. She spent time picking coffee, mac nuts, and avocados and selling her produce at a roadside fruit stand. Currently, Gloria operates a certified organic farm, while actively marketing her produce and developing an avocado-based product line that will specialize in fresh guacamole and skin care products using locally grown avocados.

Palaman Purveyors

Randy Cortez

Randy was born and raised in Santa Cruz, Ilocos Sur, Philippines before immigrating to Honolulu at the age of five. Today, Randy Cortez is a Securities Investigator for the Securities Enforcement Branch within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Together with his wife Arlyn, they created Palaman Purveyors in November 2021 to bring artisanal products with a Filipino twist to the marketplace.

Plant Happiness Hawaii

Jon Watase

Jon Watase, born and raised in Kaneohe, Hawaii, brings a wealth of experience and drive to his role as the Aina-Based Learning Curricular Coach and Agricultural Director at Saint Louis School. Plant Happiness Hawaii Farm stands as Hawaii’s first commercial solar regenerative agricultural farm. Two years ago, Jon initiated “Oahu Grown Mamaki” committing himself to cultivating locally grown Mamaki across various locations on the islands. With a vision for excellence, Jon aspires to become a leading global producer of Mamaki tea.

Pop Culture Artisan Pops

Justin Udom

Justin Udom, born and raised on Oahu, grew up amidst the world of small business ownership, gaining firsthand insight into the challenges and triumphs experienced by his parents. While enrolled in the Culinary Program at Kapiolani Community College, Justin began crafting artisanal ice pops and formally establish his company, Pop Culture Artisan Pops in 2020. Today, Pop Culture Artisan Pops specializes in gourmet ice pops and ice cream bars crafted with locally sourced, premium ingredients to create fun and inventive tasty treats.

Sea Crunchies

Jina Wye

Jina Wye is a seasoned brand marketer with over 20 years of experience spanning across consumer goods, luxury, and lifestyle brands. Now, Jina is eager to apply her “know-how” to starting her own entrepreneurial venture. Sea Crunchies is a groundbreaking kelp-based seaweed snack that promises an incomparable taste experience. Bursting with umami flavor, it offers a delightful combination of a crunchy, savory experience that’s ultra-addictive! Our snacks are proudly made in Hawaii, supporting local Hawaiian aquaculture and advocating for sustainability.

Soul Sum

Raymond Trinh

Raymond Trinh, born and raised in Philadelphia, boasts over 15 years of experience in the food industry and a lifetime dedicated to homesteading. He holds an A.A. in Business Administration and is a proud graduate of GoFarmHawaii. Driven by a culinary vision, Raymond aspires to introduce delicious, nutritious grab-and-go snacks tailored for families seeking wholesome options through Soul Sum. Prioritizing health and sustainability, Soul Sum makes vegan & gluten free products with locally sourced produce.

Sugarless Bites & Delites

Brittany Egnew

Brittany Egnew grew up in the town of Wahiawa and worked in many restaurant establishments across Oahu before deciding to make her dreams of owning her own baking business a reality. Sugarless Bites & Delites was founded in 2018 to serve Oahu’s need for both diabetic- and ketogenic-friendly treats. Utilizing low-carb fruits and alternative sweeteners Sugarless Bites & Delites is able to meet the needs of the 9.5% of adults in Hawaii suffering from diabetes.

3 Spoonfuls of Sugar

Jaime Cabuag

Born and raised in Kaneohe, Jaime Cabuag graduated from the UH Manoa Nursing School Program and held a career in healthcare as med-surg nurse, hospice nurse, and hospital nurse case manager. Drawn to the recipes of her childhood, Jaime founded 3 Spoonfuls of Sugar in 2015 crafting lilikoi butters using organic, and free-range chicken eggs and lilikoi fruit. Today, with expanded flavor offerings, 3 Spponfuls of Sugar takes great pride in using quality ingredients to ensuring their products are free from artificial flavors and preservatives.