Situated among the lush landscapes of Kauai, **MY Kauai Honey**, under the leadership of Michael Yulo, endeavors to explore the multifaceted applications of beekeeping and its by-products across several island locations, offering not only a sweet indulgence but also a foray into skincare and sustainable living.
In a transparent presentation of beekeeping, Mike, who conducts the operation, navigates through not only the production but also various innovative applications of his products. According to the host of a local series, Lyndsey Haraguchi-Nakayama, MY Kauai Honey produces “a lot of wonderful products,” with particular attention paid to beeswax, which has the added benefit of cleaning the air, emitting “the light spectrum the same as the sun.” This is utilized by collaborating with Kilohana’s Clay Works to craft candles from their beeswax.
Their work does not halt at illumination, diving into culinary creations, as illustrated by a “raw jam” made from a simple blend of “mango and honey.” Additionally, Mike reveals a delightful spread reminiscent of a popular hazelnut confectionery, informally termed “Kauai Nutella,” which blends chocolate, macadamia nut, and honey. He claims, “It is delicious,” indicating the casual simplicity behind these honey-infused creations.
While honey can surely be labeled a staple of the company, beeswax and propolis emerge as unsung heroes of MY Kauai Honey’s lineup. In an interview, Mike details, “I make a balm with the beeswax…excellent for sunburn, it’s excellent for minor infections.” Propolis, an amalgamation of bee saliva and sap, possessing “antibacterial and antifungal” properties, is an essential component in the beeswax balm, offering relief from both infections and the mundane annoyance of mosquito bites. The story of this remedy is personal, crafted initially for Mike’s daughter, to mitigate the swelling and irritation resulting from insect bites.
In a testament to the adaptability and timelessness of these bee products, the younger generation of MY Kauai Honey represents sustainability through the production of beeswax wraps. His daughter partakes in the creation of these wraps, which in the 1800s were used to “wrap bread with it to keep it fresh.” These products embody a continuity from past to present, binding historical methods to modern sustainability endeavors.
However, at its core, MY Kauai Honey extends beyond business and production, touching on aspects of devotion and community. Mike considers his endeavor in farming and beekeeping as “a labor of love” and attributes the fruition of MY Kauai Honey to a higher power, noting, “All of this is because of God.”
The serene island of Kauai serves as a backdrop to MY Kauai Honey, where products, derived from the delicate work of bees, amalgamate into a product line that stretches from palate to skin and beyond, threading the practicality of bee derivatives into everyday life. Such endeavors, bridging the sweet and the sustainable, play out under the Hawaiian sun, where honey, beeswax, and propolis intertwine to create not only a product but also a community tethered by the humble bee.