The Resurgence of Hawaiʻi’s Lost Spirit

The path to this recognition has been marked by both accolades and legislative action. While the spirit—distilled from fermented kī root—gained international attention at the 1889 Paris World Exposition, it vanished from public memory following the 1893 overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom. To prevent the dilution of this heritage, lawmakers have passed House Bill 2475, which establishes rigorous production and labeling standards. The bill mandates that authentic ʻŌkolehao must be produced primarily from Hawaiʻi-grown kī root and distilled within the islands.

Naehalani Breeland, president and co-founder of Ola, views these developments as more than a simple awards tally. For the Hilo-based distillery, which has invested over $20 million into the spirit's revival, the goal is to anchor the product firmly in local agriculture and culture. With the legislation now awaiting Governor Josh Green’s signature, the industry aims to emulate the success of other regional categories that have achieved lasting international status.