Liko Lehua

What Liko Lehua does

Liko Lehua is a privately held, family-owned gourmet food company headquartered in Hilo, Hawaii, founded in 1996 by sisters Diane and Arlene Kānealiʻi originally as a fundraiser for local soccer teams. The company specializes in handcrafted tropical fruit butters — Lilikoi (passion fruit), Guava, Mango, Pineapple, Coconut, Tahitian Lime, Boysenberry, Kona Coffee, and Vanilla — produced in small batches from fruit grown on the family's farm on the slopes of Mauna Loa. The product line has expanded to include macadamia nut brittle (Big Island Lava Candy), Pa'akai specialty Hawaiian grill salts, bulk 36oz food-service pouches, and curated gift boxes featuring other local Hawaiian artisans.

The business operates three primary revenue streams: direct-to-consumer e-commerce through a Shopify storefront with global shipping (USPS Flat Rate, Shop Pay, PayPal, and crypto payment options); a single physical Liko Lehua Cafe at 177 Kaumana Drive in Hilo offering dine-in, product sampling, and pickup; and a wholesale/partner program including international distribution in Japan via hawaiifoods.net. Pricing is unit-based with no subscription model, ranging from approximately $5 for individual grill-salt bottles to $98 for the premium Made on Hawaii Island Holiday Gift Box, with a 50%-off-shipping promotion on U.S. orders over $60.

The company is led by owner Dawn Kānealiʻi-Kleinfelder, who took over from founder Diane in 2011, and co-owner Matt Kānealiʻi-Kleinfelder, operating as a three-generation family business with an 11–50 employee headcount. The firm is 100% family-owned with no outside institutional investors, participates in the Mana Up Hawaii accelerator (2019 cohort), and has built partnerships with Aloha Star Coffee (Kona Coffee Butter co-development), Baumkuchen Farm, Kaimana Ahi Jerky, Nizo Precision, and Hawaii Foods Network for distribution. Customer engagement is supported through Instagram (@likolehuacafe), Facebook (@likolehuabutter), email newsletters, and a Judge.me review integration showing 315+ reviews.

Name

Liko Lehua

Legal name

Liko Lehua

Website

https://likolehua.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Liko Lehua is a family-owned Hawaiian gourmet food company based in Hilo that handcrafts tropical fruit butters (Lilikoi, Guava, Mango, Kona Coffee, etc.) from its family farm, selling via DTC e-commerce, a Hilo cafe, wholesale, and a Japan distribution partner.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Artisanal Hawaiian Specialty Foods

NAICS

Sugar and Confectionery Product Manufacturing (3113)

SIC

Canned, Fruits, Veg, Preserves, Jams & Jellies (2033), Food And Kindred Products (2000), Cookies & Crackers (2052)

akta.pro primary industry

Fruit Snacks & Dried Fruit (CRADABAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fermented & Specialty Condiments Manufacturing (Kimchi Base, Gochujang, Miso-Based Sauces) (AFAKADAO), Dried Fruit & Fruit Snacks Manufacturing (AFAKAIAL)

Keywords

• Gourmet fruit butters
• Hawaiian specialty foods
• Macadamia nut brittle
• Tropical fruit spreads
• Curated Hawaiian gift boxes

Headquarters

HQ city

Hilo

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Fruit Butter Products: Direct sales of gourmet tropical fruit butters including Lilikoi, Guava, Mango, Pineapple, Coconut, Tahitian Lime, Kona Coffee, Boysenberry, and Vanilla flavors in various sizes from 2oz gift jars to 36oz food service pouches.
2. Specialty Confections: Sale of Big Island Lava Candy (macadamia nut brittle) and Pa'akai specialty grill salts as complementary Hawaiian food products.
3. Curated Gift Boxes: Premium holiday gift boxes and sampler packs featuring multiple Liko Lehua products and partner items from local Hawaiian small businesses.
4. Bulk and Wholesale: Bulk purchasing options including 36oz resealable pouches for food service/commercial use, and wholesale inquiries through online form.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Liko Lehua produces and sells handcrafted gourmet tropical fruit butters in nine signature flavors (Lilikoi/Passion Fruit, Guava, Mango, Pineapple, Coconut, Tahitian Lime, Boysenberry, Kona Coffee, and Vanilla) using fruits grown on their family farm in Hilo, Hawaii. The company also offers macadamia nut brittle (Big Island Lava Candy), Hawaiian specialty grill salts (Pa'akai), bulk 36-oz food service pouches, sampler gift sets, and curated holiday gift boxes featuring partner items from other Hawaii Island small businesses. Sales occur through a Shopify-powered global e-commerce site, the Liko Lehua Café retail store in Hilo, wholesale partners, and a Japan distribution partnership.

Product overview

Liko Lehua is a family-owned food company based in Hilo, Hawaii, founded in 1996, specializing in handcrafted gourmet fruit butters and specialty food products. The core product line consists of nine signature fruit butters (Lilikoi/Passion Fruit, Guava, Mango, Pineapple, Coconut, Tahitian Lime, Boysenberry, Kona Coffee, and Vanilla) made from locally sourced tropical fruits grown on their family farm. Additional products include macadamia nut brittle candy, specialty Hawaiian grill salts, bulk/reserve pouches, and curated gift boxes. The company also operates the Liko Lehua Cafe in Hilo. Products are distributed online, at the cafe, and through select wholesale partners, with international availability including Japan.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Liko Lehua Fruit Butters: Gourmet tropical fruit spreads made in Hilo, Hawaii since 1996.
• Liko Lehua Gourmet Butter

Products and services

• Lilikoi Butter (Passion Fruit Butter) Handcrafted signature fruit butter made with passion fruit puree, cane sugar, butter, and pasteurized eggs. Nicknamed 'Liquid Gold' by customers, it serves as a versatile spread for toast, pancakes, ice cream, and BBQ glaze.
• Guava Butter A ruby-red fruit butter with sweet plumeria scent, made with guava puree. Excellent as a finish on BBQ, ham, smoked meats, and breakfast items.
• Mango Butter Tropical fruit butter made with farm-fresh Kona mangoes. Versatile for waffles, ice cream, and cocktails, capturing mango season year-round.
• Pineapple Butter Fruit butter made with fresh Hawaiian pineapple, cane sugar, and butter. Ideal for glazing holiday ham and reminiscent of casual breakfast mornings in Hawaii.
• Coconut Butter Creamy concoction of coconut milk, toasted coconut, sweet cream, and butter with haupia flavor profile. Evokes imagery of white sandy beaches and palm trees.
• Tahitian Lime Butter A sweet, smooth, and creamy butter with crisp citrus and vanilla highlights. Complements spicy grilled foods, mixed drinks, sautéed fish, burritos, cheesecake, and ice cream.
• Boysenberry Butter Creamy, deep purple spread made with Oregon-picked boysenberries, butter, and cane sugar. Combines Liko Lehua butters with fresh boysenberries for pancakes, muffins, ice cream, mixed drinks, and BBQ.
• Kona Coffee Butter (Cafe Dolce) Creamy rich spread inspired by cappuccino on a Mediterranean beachfront, made with 100% brewed Kona coffee from Aloha Star Coffee, butter, sugar, and caramel.
• Vanilla Butter Holiday-favorite fruit butter combining fresh vanilla, farm-cultivated honey, and holiday spices. Ideal for fresh bread, ice cream topping, or apple pie filling.
• Liko Lehua Gift Set (Sampler Pack) Gift set available in 3-pack or 6-pack configurations containing 2-oz glass jars of multiple butter flavors including Guava, Lilikoi, Mango, Pineapple, Tahitian Lime, Hawaiian Vanilla, and Coconut.
• 36 oz. Resealable Bulk Pouch Large-format food service and kitchen-friendly packaging of signature butters in Lilikoi, Guava, Mango, and Kona Coffee flavors. Resealable flexible pouches ideal for commercial kitchen use or families; available at $32.50.
• Big Island Lava Candy (Macadamia Nut Brittle) Handmade macadamia nut brittle in small batches using traditional recipes with Hawaii products: honey, macadamia nuts, salt, and natural ingredients. Available in snack size (3.75 oz) and family size (8 oz).
• Pa'akai Specialty Grill Salt Hawaiian specialty grill salts in three varieties: Pulehu (garlic, ginger, pepper), Lau'ala (herb blend with rosemary and thyme), and Pika (chili pepper blend with cayenne). Used for seasoning steak, prime rib, chicken, and more; available as individual 4-oz bottles or 3-pack gift sets from $5.00.
• Made on Hawaii Island Holiday Gift Box Festive gift box featuring Liko Lehua butters (Lilikoi, Cafe Dolce, Boysenberry), Baumkuchen Farm Hawaiian Coffee Cake, Pa'akai Salts, Big Island Lava Candy, and Kaimana Ahi Jerky. All sourced and handmade on Hawaii Island; priced at $98.00.
• Liko Lehua Cafe (Dining Experience) Physical café at 177 Kaumana Drive, Hilo, HI 96720, offering burgers, pasta, milkshakes, ice cream, and fruit-flavored butter samples. Functions as a retail showroom for product sampling, online order pickup, and in-person dining. Hours: Monday-Wednesday 10AM-3:30PM, Thursday-Friday 10AM-5:30PM.

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Aloha Star CoffeecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership for Kona Coffee Butter production. Liko Lehua uses Aloha Star Coffee's dark roast 100% Kona coffee in their Cafe Dolce/Kona Coffee Butter product, creating a unique Hawaiian coffee-infused fruit butter spread.
• Baumkuchen FarmminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner included in the Made on Hawaii Island Holiday Gift Box. Baumkuchen Farm provides Hawaiian Coffee Baumkuchen Cake as part of the curated gift box featuring multiple local Hawaiian small businesses.
• Kaimana Ahi JerkyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner included in the Holiday Gift Box with Teriyaki and Sriracha ahi jerky products, representing local Hawaiian food artisans in the curated gift box collection.
• Nizo PrecisionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides custom Liko Lehua wooden Christmas ornaments for the Holiday Gift Box, showcasing partnership with local Hawaiian craftsmen.
• Hawaii Foods NetworkminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJapanese distribution partner for Liko Lehua products through hawaiifoods.net, enabling international sales to Japanese consumers.
• Kings HawaiianminorOthersListed as a partner on the Liko Lehua website footer. Both are Hawaiian food brands, though specific partnership details are not detailed on the website.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Rigoni di Asiago (Fiordifrutta): Italian premium fruit spread brand specializing in organic, high-fruit-content preserves distributed internationally. Comparable to Liko Lehua in product format (premium fruit spreads), clean-ingredient positioning, and export-oriented specialty food business model.
• Wilderness Family Naturals: Small-batch organic fruit spread producer selling direct-to-consumer and through natural foods wholesale channels. Comparable to Liko Lehua on artisanal production methods, natural ingredient positioning, and small-business scale of operations.
• Stonewall Kitchen: Premium specialty food brand selling gourmet fruit jams, preserves, and accompaniments through DTC, wholesale, and cafe/showroom channels. Directly comparable to Liko Lehua in product category (gourmet fruit spreads), premium positioning, multi-channel DTC model, and farm/kitchen provenance storytelling.
• Crofter's Organic: Specialty fruit spread manufacturer focused on organic, small-batch preserves sold across North American retail and foodservice. Directly comparable on product type (fruit spreads/butters), small-batch production ethos, and multi-channel distribution including bulk/foodservice formats similar to Liko Lehua's 36oz pouches.
• Bonne Maman: Iconic French fruit preserve brand sold in glass jars across global retail and foodservice. Comparable as a premium, fruit-forward spread brand that has scaled internationally while maintaining a craft identity, similar to Liko Lehua's positioning with Hawaiian tropical fruit butters.

Regional players

• Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Company: Big Island-based macadamia nut brand with island-grown sourcing and national retail presence. Comparable as a Hawaiian-island provenance specialty food brand with farm-to-package storytelling and category overlap with Liko Lehua's macadamia nut brittle product.
• Hawaiian Host: Hawai'i-based macadamia nut confectionery brand with national and international distribution. Comparable as a premium Hawaiian-origin specialty food brand targeting gifting and souvenir channels, similar to Liko Lehua's Hawaiian-themed gifting and macadamia nut brittle (Big Island Lava Candy).
• Big Island Candies: Hilo-based Hawaiian confectionery brand famous for shortbread cookies and chocolate-dipped macadamia nuts sold via factory direct, DTC, and national mail-order gift boxes. Closely comparable to Liko Lehua on Hawaii-Island origin, gift-box channel strategy, and tourism-driven brand discovery.

Broad incumbents

• King's Hawaiian: Established Hawai'i-origin bakery brand that scaled from a local bakery into a national packaged bread and rolls powerhouse. Comparable as a Hawaiian-heritage CPG brand that has leveraged provenance to expand well beyond the islands — a potential growth template for Liko Lehua at much larger scale.
• Smucker's: Mass-market fruit spread and preserve manufacturer with national retail dominance. Relevant as the category benchmark Liko Lehua competes against on shelf and in pantry usage occasions, illustrating both the size of the fruit spread category and the differentiation gap Liko Lehua occupies via Hawaiian provenance and craft positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/LikoLehuaLLC
• Instagraminstagram.com/likolehuacafe
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/liko-lehua

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Liko Lehua