Mauna Kea Tea Garden

After extensive travel and study in tea production and culture, Taka and Kimberly Ino started Mauna Kea Tea on the Big Island of Hawaii to devote their lives to following the way of nature. The farm was established with a commitment to producing high-quality tea while respecting the environment. The land, surprisingly suitable for tea cultivation, was supported by resources from USDA and the University of Hawaii, and mentors from Japan helped guide the quality of their tea production.

Mauna Kea Tea employs natural farming methods, focusing on nature-centered production rather than human-centered production. They avoid synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, antibiotics, food additives, genetically modified organisms, and irradiation. The farm maintains detailed production and sales records to trace each tea sale back to its origin in the field. Although they withdrew from USDA organic certification in 2019, they continue to follow organic standards while incorporating more sustainable approaches. Their philosophy is inspired by Masanobu Fukuoka's teachings, emphasizing respect and appreciation for plants and maintaining soil fertility indefinitely.

The farm offers visitors a chance to learn more about their practices and philosophy through farm visits or their website. They aim to revive traditional tea production methods, giving them a new twist to help them naturalize on the island. The connection between man and nature through tea is a central theme, and the farm's approach is about appreciating the true quality of natural tea and farming.