The Kea'au Network

The Keaau Network – Community Innovation and Product Development Hub

The Keaau Network is a new consumer product development and management hub based on Hawai'i Island, dedicated to helping build, launch, and grow innovative food, beverage, agricultural, and lifestyle brands. Through its network of partners, advisors, and industry programs, The Keaau Network will be supporting entrepreneurs and emerging companies with product creation, brand strategy, manufacturing connections, and market development across Hawai'i and the Mainland United States.

Beyond business development, The Keaau Network will be placing a strong emphasis on community engagement, cause initiatives, and local giving programs. The organization will be working on new economic opportunities created through product innovation also benefit the surrounding communities of Keaau, Kurtistown, Hilo, Mountain View, and other East Hawai'i areas. By supporting local farmers, entrepreneurs, youth programs, and community organizations, the network strives to create a model where innovation, entrepreneurship, and community well-being grow together.

Big Island of Hawaii: Regions and Landmarks

The Big Island of Hawaiʻi is a microcosm of diverse agricultural microclimates, each defined by its geography, elevation, and volcanic soil. The western Kona slopes are world-renowned for specialty coffee and buttery macadamia nuts, while the northern Kohala and Waimea regions take advantage of cooler, rolling uplands to support cattle ranching and much of the island’s temperate vegetable production, including head lettuce and cabbage.

Along the Hāmākua Coast, the landscape shifts to lush gulches famous for taro, sweet potatoes, and diverse tropical fruits. On the eastern side, the Hilo and Puna districts—benefiting from high rainfall—serve as the hub for tropical flowers like anthuriums and orchids, papaya, and emerging cacao and tea production.

Further south, Kaʻū has stepped out of the shadow of the sugar era to become a powerhouse for award-winning coffee and major macadamia nut orchards, rounding out an island economy that ranges from high-altitude rangelands to coastal fruit groves. Taken together, these zones make Hawaiʻi Island uniquely suited for a network focused on product innovation, agriculture, food systems, and value-added local brands.

Types of Big Island Crops and Products

High-Value Specialty Crops

Kona Coffee: Grown exclusively on the slopes of Hualālai and Mauna Loa in North and South Kona.
Macadamia Nuts: The Big Island is a global leader in production, with major orchards in the Ka'ū and Hāmākua districts.
Cacao: Used for "tree-to-bar" artisanal chocolate, thriving in the humid Hilo and Puna regions.
Vanilla: The island is one of the few places in the U.S. that commercially produces vanilla beans.

Tropical Fruits

Papaya: The Puna district is the primary hub for Hawaiian papaya.
Apple Bananas: A tart, sweet variety popular in local markets.
Exotics: Rambutan, Longan, Lychee, Mangosteen, and Durian thrive in the wet, tropical eastern side.
Avocados: Over 200 varieties are grown here, including the massive "Sharwil."
Citrus: Meyer lemons, Tahitian limes, and various oranges.

Starches and Heritage Crops

Kalo (Taro): Deeply rooted in Hawaiian culture, grown in valley floors like Waipi'o.
'Ulu (Breadfruit): A versatile staple experiencing a major commercial resurgence.
Sweet Potato ('Uala): Grown in various soil types across the island.

Livestock and Value-Added Products

Grass-Fed Beef: Large-scale ranching is centered in Waimea (Kamuela) and the North Kohala district.
Honey: Including rare Lehua honey, derived from the blossoms of the native 'Ōhi'a tree.
Goat Cheese: Local dairies produce artisanal cheeses and milk.
Aquaculture: Near the Kona airport (NELHA), companies produce abalone, lobster, shrimp, and spirulina using deep-sea water.

Horticulture and Floriculture

Anthuriums and Orchids: Hilo is often called the "Orchid Capital," exporting tropical flowers worldwide.
Protea: These unique, hardy flowers are typically grown at higher elevations like Kula or the slopes of the volcanoes.

Emerging Product Types

Tea: Small-scale premium tea farms are growing on the volcano slopes (Kīlauea).
Medicinal Herbs: Including Turmeric ('Olena), Ginger, and Kava ('Awa).
Value-Added Goods: Tropical fruit preserves, dehydrated fruit leathers, macadamia nut oils, and botanical skincare products.

Current and Future Projects

Helping Start-up and Emerging Brands — in the State of Hawaii (From the Farms to the Retailer’s Shelves to the Consumer’s Tables) — Logistics/Warehousing, Sales and Marketing, Trade Events, Incubators, Commercial Kitchens, Product Development, CPG Manufacturing, Ingredients & Packaging, State Programs, Funding.