Our Java Plum varietal is a rare gem—this is the first harvest in nine years. The Java Plum is not a heavy producer by nature, and finding the right location for dense pollination has always been a challenge. It’s been nearly nine years since we’ve had a site where the bees could work effectively with this particular bloom.
Timing adds another layer of difficulty: the Java Plum flowers during a season that often brings heavy rain, and wet conditions can severely limit flowering. During these times, bees shift into survival mode—feeding directly from the flowers rather than collecting nectar—making any meaningful yield even rarer.
Our producers are not only respectful of the ʻāina—the land—but also delicately attuned to it. They know just when and where to place the local Hawaiian bees to give them the best chance to thrive. When weather, timing, and placement all align, the Java Plum rewards us with a beautifully nuanced harvest: think ripe, juicy plum with a hint of Concord grape.