Our Story

About Kanoa Hawaii

Rooted in Hawaii, Grown with Aloha

Headquartered in the small tropical town of Hilo, Hawaii, Kanoa Hawaii is a family business with deep roots. We’ve been growing and sharing plants since the 1970s, and by the 1980s we had built our first nursery. For us, plants aren’t just a business — they’re a lifelong passion and a way to share the beauty of the islands with others.

Our Story

From the lush rainforests of East Hawai‘i to the fertile volcanic slopes, we’ve spent decades cultivating and caring for tropical plants. What began as a local effort to serve our island community has grown into a mission: bringing the unique spirit of Hawaiian plants to homes across the country.

Many of our earliest customers still reach out, sometimes sharing that the plants they bought years ago have become part of family traditions or even gifts passed from one generation to the next. That connection — between plants, people, and place — is why we continue to do what we love.

Our Nursery

All of our plants are grown in a certified nursery and prepared for shipping with the same care we’d give our own gardens. Each plumeria cutting is freshly harvested and callused, each ginger plantlet is wrapped for a healthy start, and every Kona Coffee or Macadamia Nut seedling is nurtured with aloha.

When you order from us, you can expect:

Healthy plants, carefully packed and inspected
Clear growing instructions with every shipment
Ongoing support and resources

We also work closely with the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture to ensure all shipments are properly inspected and certified, so your plants arrive safely and ready to thrive.

Our Promise

Hawai‘i is a tropical paradise like no other place on earth. At Kanoa Hawaii, our promise is to share a piece of that paradise with you. Whether you’re planting a hibiscus in your backyard, starting your own coffee tree, or tending ginger indoors, we want you to succeed — and enjoy a lasting connection to the islands.

With Kanoa Hawaii, you’re not just buying plants. You’re joining our ʻohana (family).

Meet the Team

Behind every plant is a family effort. From the founders who began the nursery decades ago, to the next generation running operations today, Kanoa Hawaii is powered by people who love the land.

And of course, we honor our beloved Top Dog (2007–2024), who was always part of the team and is forever in our hearts.