The Story Behind Our Family Recipes and Hawaiian Roots

Everything we do is rooted in the traditions and flavors of the Hawaiian islands. Our founder, originally from the lush, vibrant island of Maui, grew up surrounded by authentic island cooking, rich in flavor and culture. This foundation in Hawaii’s food traditions and family recipes has shaped our commitment to sharing the true tastes of the islands.

How we started

Pono Hawaiian Foods was established in 2021, inspired by a love for Hawaiian flavors and a need to create high-quality products that bring the essence of Hawaii to customers across the U.S. With the challenges in sourcing authentic ingredients, our founder decided to partner with a family-owned manufacturer overseas. Together, we’ve developed a line of products that honor our island roots, featuring carefully chosen ingredients and time-tested recipes.

Family recipes passed down

From the very beginning, the recipes used at Pono Hawaiian Foods were passed down through generations. Here are some of the unique ways these traditions have influenced our products:

  • Island-style flavors: Our products bring the bold, authentic tastes of Hawaii to your kitchen. Using rice seasoning packets that include ingredients like nori, sesame seeds, and dried fish, we recreate the flavors our founder grew up with.
  • Quality without compromise: Just as Hawaiian families value the quality and integrity of their recipes, we ensure our ingredients meet the highest standards. Every packet of nori komi furikake or rice furikake represents a piece of our island heritage, carefully crafted with care.

Key ingredients that define our flavors

Hawaiian cuisine is known for its unique blend of local and Asian influences. At Pono Hawaiian Foods, we celebrate these influences with ingredients that make our products truly Hawaiian:

  • Nori (seaweed): A staple in island cooking, nori brings a salty, oceanic flavor to dishes. Our nori komi furikake includes nori as a central ingredient, adding that distinctive taste found in so many traditional Hawaiian dishes.
  • Sesame seeds: Toasted sesame seeds provide a rich, nutty taste that pairs perfectly with rice and seafood. You’ll find sesame seeds in our rice seasoning packets, bringing flavor and texture.
  • Umami-rich seasonings: Our rice furikake includes carefully blended seasonings that deliver an umami kick. This flavor depth is a hallmark of Hawaiian cooking, which blends elements of sweet, salty, and savory into one harmonious taste.

Bring Aloha to every meal

The Aloha Spirit is at the heart of everything we do at Pono Hawaiian Foods. For us, aloha is about generosity, hospitality, and sharing good food with loved ones. Through our products, we aim to share this spirit with our customers:

Things to keep in mind

When you choose Pono Hawaiian Foods, you’re not just getting a seasoning packet you’re bringing a taste of Hawaii into your home. Here are a few things we prioritize in our products:

  • Sustainability: We aim to source ingredients responsibly, ensuring that our products not only taste great but also honor the environment.
  • Authenticity: Our rice seasoning packets are made to capture the authentic taste of Hawaiian cooking. We want each packet to transport you to the islands with every sprinkle.
  • Quality assurance: Our family-owned manufacturing partners adhere to high standards of quality, so every product meets our vision of bringing true Hawaiian flavors to our customers.

Pono Hawaiian Foods is a way for us to share the flavors, stories, and values that make Hawaiian cuisine so special. Through every packet of rice furikake or nori komi furikake, we hope to bring you closer to the islands and give you a taste of what it’s like to cook with aloha.