The creators of the Nalo Juice stand in Honolulu pride themselves in concocting and selling products made from cold-pressed juice, most recently adding shave ice syrup to its line.
The company started out as strictly a juice and juice[blend company. Its products combine 95 percent locally grown fruits and vegetables along with coconut milk, adding no sugar or water.
Amankai Sa, a freshman from Tonga with an undecided major, said about the new shave ice syrup, “It can help reduce the amount of diabetes and obesity in Hawaii and reduce health issues in general by offering an all-natural option.”
Although Hawaii is a healthier state, ranking second in the United States for lowest obesity rate, as reported by the United Health Foundation, places like the Nalo Juice Company can help to keep the community healthy.
On the informational page of the Nalo Juice Company website, it states, “The Nalo Juice Company began with an idea about living locally. We felt that everything we needed to live healthy could be found right here at home. So we’re taking a cue from our rooted friends and planting our feet in the dirt. We believe that in caring for the land, the land will care for us.”
Parker Bird, a junior ICS major from Utah, thinks this philosophy is respectable and suited for the island. “People don’t want development and have more encouragement for recycling because they’re just trying to keep everything green.” Bird said he believes the Nalo Juice Company has a common goal with the State of Hawaii in this way.
“The cold-pressed process delivers the maximum amount of flavor, nutrients, and homegrown passion from farm to bottle to you,” states the Nalo Juice website.
Baird said he liked how the company ensured that both the social and economic benefits of the company stayed within the islands.
Tupoutia Taufa, a freshman biology major from Tonga, shared a similar opinion on the benefits of the Nalo Juice Company to stay local. Taufa expressed she appreciated how the Nalo Juice Company keeps their produce, workers and operations in Hawaii, unlike with companies that outsource to other states or even countries.
Not only are the syrups available on shave ice, but also along with the juice blends, the Nalo Juice Company sells bottles of syrup that can be used for a variety of culinary delights from flavoring one’s own shaved ice to flavor Italian Soda which is highly recommended by the company’s 23-year-old Chief Executive Officer Kale Furuya.
The company’s main store is located in Downtown Honolulu in the lobby of the Executive Centre building and is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to the Honolulu Magazine. The address is 1088 Bishop St, Honolulu, HI, 96813.