Kauai Hemp Co. launched in 2019, “with the goal of ushering in a new wave of agriculture in Hawaii by sustainably growing certified organic hemp and crafting premium CBD products,” said Judiah McRoberts, the company’s president.
As a registered nurse since 2008 and having been raised on a farm, McRoberts said he has “always been intrigued by the duality between modern and botanical medicines.”
Early in his nursing career, he worked with a patient who used CBD to combat seizures.
“Witnessing the drastic reduction in seizure activity firsthand was incredibly inspiring. When the opportunity arose to join a vertically integrated hemp farm and CBD manufacturer, I left my job of 10 years to join the founding team alongside multigenerational farmer and rancher Daryl Kaneshiro,” he said. “Daryl's vision was to advance a new generation of farmers and producers using a sustainable model that respects the land, provides quality agriculture and STEM jobs for locals, and manufactures premium nutraceutical products.”
Located in Koloa, Kauai Hemp Co. is certified organic, both on its farm and its processing facility, McRoberts said.
The company launched with a single product. Now, it has a line of 18 products, including oils, bath and body items, sun care, and pet items, that can be found online and at retailers throughout the state. It also recently launched sales in Japan.
Among the company’s goals as part of Cohort 9, McRoberts said it is seeking “mentorship to help us thrive in our highly regulated and competitive market.”
“Given the challenges CBD brands face with traditional advertising and marketing channels, we are excited about the opportunity to collaborate with Mana Up’s talented partners.”
Within the next year, McRoberts said the company aims to triple its online sales and retail presence in Hawaii, across the country and in Japan.
PBN is partnering with Mana Up to announce the 10 newest entrepreneurs joining Cohort 9 of its product business accelerator program, with profiles on each company slated to roll out one at a time through June 4. Stay tuned to pacificbusinessnews.com, and check out the June 7 print edition for the full roundup.
