Ekolu Miller, founder of Kalapana Beauty, launched his business just last summer on land his grandfather once cultivated as a young macadamia nut farm in Kalapana. For decades, the farm supplied nuts to some of the most recognizable macadamia snack and confectionery brands in Hawaii. But as large-scale producers increasingly outsourced production overseas, demand for locally grown nuts declined, leaving small family farms like theirs at a crossroads. Miller saw opportunity in abundance and began producing a pure cosmetic-grade macadamia nut oil for skincare using the farm’s harvest. “Launching at the Made in Hawaii Festival alongside my stepmother and sister is incredibly meaningful because I’ve had the opportunity to watch both of them build successful businesses from the ground up.” My stepmother founded Simply Sisters, and my sister built Lex Breezy, and both of them have really carved out their own paths in the clothing industry through years of hard work, creativity, and persistence. Watching what they’ve built from humble beginnings into such recognizable local brands has been incredibly inspiring to me as an entrepreneur. 86 Hawaii Parent July/August 2026
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