Kō Hana Distillers said it leased an additional 220 acres of farmland in Hale‘iwa on O‘ahu’s North Shore, further expanding its heirloom Hawaiian sugarcane farming operation. The harvests from this new field, which can begin as soon as one year, will enable Kō Hana’s rum production to reach 75,000 cases per year – more than 300% above today’s level.
“For the past ten years, Kō Hana has stayed true to our guiding principles – being a good steward of the land and using the high-quality sugarcane of the earth’s bounty to create the most delicious pure cane rum. The new field expansion allows us to share our island home and the love of what we grow and distill with the rest of the world,” said Jason Brand, co-founder of Kō Hana Distillers.
A projected production of 75,000 cases per year will enable Kō Hana Distillers to exponentially increase its market share in the world of super premium spirits, and will allow the O‘ahu-based company to export its single varietal, heirloom Hawaiian cane rums to more markets across the globe.
Kō Hana’s new fields are leased in partnership with Kamehameha Schools, Hawai‘i’s largest private landowner representing over 365,000 acres, as part of a program to further develop Hawai‘i’s diversified agriculture industry. Most of the acreage will be planted with the heirloom sugarcane first brought by canoe to Hawai‘i a millennium ago. Sugarcane varieties such as kalaoa, mahai‘ula and hinahina have already been seeded into the new fields. Forty acres will be planted with cacao to help meet the demand for Kō Hana’s award-winning rum infused with chocolate and honey, Kokoleka.
Kō Hana differs from most rum distilleries in two main ways. First, Kō Hana uses only fresh sugarcane juice as the fermentable ingredient rather than molasses, the byproduct of table sugar manufacturing. Second, Kō Hana harvests one of 34 unique Hawaiian cane varieties at a time, allowing the consumer to experience the essence of each cane variety; learn its historical and cultural significance; and connect to the land and drink itself. While the new farm will increase production by more than 300%, Kō Hana’s uncompromising and truly local approach to crafting its rum will remain the same.
Kō Hana Hawaiian Agricole Rum is available for purchase online and from retailers, bars and restaurants throughout Hawai‘i and California. The premium spirit is served in some of the most notable restaurants and bars including Pacific Cocktail Haven, Bar Leather Apron and The Atlas Bar at the Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore. Kō Hana Distillers Tasting Room is currently open on O‘ahu.