Craft

Our Craft: The Art & Science Behind Ola ʻŌkolehao

At Ola ʻŌkolehao, we don’t just make spirits—we honor a piece of history, revive an art, and innovate for the future. Following in the footsteps of those who first crafted this legendary Hawaii-made spirit, we embrace the craftsmanship, culture, and connection to ʻaina (the land) that make ʻŌkolehao truly unique.

Honoring our past is only part of the story. We, all of us here at Ola, are reigniting an inspiration to find a deeper meaning in the place that we live. That means blending time-honored methods with modern understanding—harnessing the best of Hawaiian agriculture, ocean-aging, and scientific precision to create a spirit unlike any other.

Reviving an Art, Crafting a Legacy

For generations, Ti (Kī) was revered for its protective, medicinal, and spiritual properties. Early distillers in Hawaiʻi transformed its roots into ʻŌkolehao, a spirit steeped in legend but nearly lost to time.

We’re bringing it back—crafting ʻŌkolehao as it was meant to be, before mass production and dilution overshadowed the artistry of true distillation.

• Hand-harvested Ti (Kī) root, fermented with precision

• Distilled in small batches, honoring traditional methods

• Aged using natural elements, evolving with the ocean, air, and volcanic climate of Hilo

This is not just a drink—it’s the Spirit of Hawaiʻi.

Freedom to Explore, Respect for the Land

While we honor the past, we push forward with a deep respect for sustainability, innovation, and craftsmanship 

We work with nature, not against it, integrating regenerative farming to restore the land, not deplete it.

• We question the old ways, using modern insights into fermentation, maturation, and the effects of the environment on aging.

• We are independent, Hawaiian-owned and driven by the passion to craft something exceptional.

Each barrel is monitored, tasted, and adjusted—not left alone to sit. We track the interplay between wood, time, ocean air, and temperature to ensure that every sip reaches its fullest potential.

The Role of Hilo’s Climate: A Spirit Shaped by Nature

Most spirits age in climate-controlled warehouses. Ola ʻŌkolehao ages in a place where the land, air, and ocean breathe life into every barrel.

• Ocean-Aging: The natural swells and shifts in temperature create a slow, rhythmic expansion and contraction in the wood, drawing in the spirit’s rich complexities.

• Humidity & Rain: The volcanic rains of Hilo introduce a maturation process unseen in dry, inland distilleries—balancing the interaction between wood and liquid.

• Tropical Maturation: Studies show that spirits age faster in tropical climates due to the unique interaction between temperature and humidity, creating a depth of flavor in a fraction of the time.

Each batch of Ola ʻŌkolehao tells a different story, shaped by the elements that surround it.

Purity, Craft, and Perfection in Every Sip

Island Distillers of the past worked with what nature provided—we refine that process while keeping the purity intact.

• Pure Hawaiian water, naturally filtered through volcanic rock

• Carefully selected barrels, seasoned to allow just the right level of interaction

• Tasting at peak perfection, ensuring no batch is released before it reaches its fullest potential

Unlike mass-produced spirits, where barrels are filled to the top and left for years to evaporate, we under-fill our barrels to encourage the interaction between wood, spirit, and oxygen from day one. This means maturation begins immediately, developing a smoother, more complex spirit without unnecessary aging delays.

Ola ʻŌkolehao: More Than a Spirit—A Legacy

We are not bound by convention—we are inspired by it. Standing on the shoulders of those who came before us, we blend tradition with the precision of modern craft to create an ʻŌkolehao worthy of its history.

This isn’t just about making a spirit—it’s about bringing back a forgotten piece of Hawaiʻi, honoring its roots, and sharing it with the world.

We, all of us here at Ola, are reigniting an inspiration to find a deeper meaning in the place that we live.

Are you ready to experience it? Join the journey.