Talk Story with an Advertiser: Liko Lehua Café

Dawn Kāneali‘i-Kleinfelder’s dream as a young entrepreneur was to open a small burger shack offering pastas, salads, sandwiches, plate lunches, and of course her family’s famous butters.

That dream came true in 2011 with the opening of the Liko Lehua Café in Hilo, also the home of the family’s butter manufacturing facility.

Years before, the family’s business began as a fundraiser for local soccer teams. Then, as word got out about their delightful island delicacies, business quickly grew. Liko Lehua was established in 1996 by the Kāneali‘i ‘ohana (family).

What makes their products so ‘ono (delicious)? The tropical flavors and scents in each jar of Liko Lehua Butter are flavored with childhood memories for many in Hawai‘i, including liliko‘i (passionfruit), guava, mango, coconut, pineapple, Tahitian lime, vanilla, and special seasonal offerings.

The butters are handcrafted spreads (similar to a curd), and every jar is hand poured, labeled and packed with care by the Kāneali‘i ‘ohana. Liko Lehua is devoted to crafting premium products in small batches using locally sourced products and uplifting local employees to be part of their ‘ohana.

When she was a little girl, Dawn’s great-grandmother would tell stories of the ‘ōhi‘a lehua trees’ beautiful red blossoms surrounding her childhood home, and Liko Lehua was named for the love of the groves and has inspired generations of the family.

At the café, locals and visitors alike enjoy garlic shrimp pasta, crab cake sandwiches, a grilled local “kulana” hand-packed hamburger, salad with sauteed and Cajun crusted mahimahi, and strawberry shortcake with layers of butter cake, whipped cream, fresh strawberries, guava butter, and strawberry puree.

The Liko Lehua ‘ohana is also developing a farm, “a dream in progress,” 10 acres of land located in Ola‘a (between Hilo and Volcano on the slopes of Mauna Loa). The family grows a number of specialty crops like cacao, liliko‘i, kalo (taro), citrus, māmaki, avocado, bananas, starfruit and more. They are raising chickens and bees, they harvest their own eggs and honey, and they are also building an agricultural processing center that will enable the company to grow, produce, and sell more products.

Out of concern for the environment and future generations, their facilities utilize solar energy to power their equipment and delivery vehicles. At the heart of the operation are their keiki: Alexis, Adam, and Maya, who are learning to operate Liko Lehua Butter, the café, and the farm—the future blossoms of Liko Lehua.

Liko Lehua Café
177 Kaumana Drive, Hilo
808.315.8484
likolehua.com