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What is Fortified Mead?
If you’ve spent any time exploring the ancient, magical world of mead, you probably already know the basics: it’s fermented honey, water, and yeast, tracing its roots back to the dawn of human civilization. But if you think traditional mead is the final frontier of honey-based libations, you’re missing out on something deeply complex, rich, and intensely satisfying. Enter fortified mead - the bold, velvety evolution of craft mead that is currently making waves from our produc
Oct 13


Hawaii’s First & Only Distilled Honey Spirit
At Mānoa Honey & Mead, our passion has always been guided by the gentle hum of the hive and a deep reverence for the Hawaiian ʻāina (land). From raw, single-origin honey to crisp craft meads, our journey has been one of continuous discovery - stretching honey’s boundaries and celebrating the infinite possibilities tucked within every drop of golden nectar. Now, after years of dedication, trial, and alchemy, we are humbled to introduce our most elevated product evolution yet:
Oct 7


Why Buy Local Honey? 7 Reasons to Choose Honey from Hawaiʻi.
There is honey. And then there is honey that tells you where it came from. A jar of local, raw Hawaiian honey is more than something sweet to drizzle over toast or stir into your morning tea. It is a taste of place. A little sunshine, flowers, rain, and the hard work of thousands of bees, all captured in one golden spoonful. So, what makes Hawaiian honey different from the generic honey you might find on a supermarket shelf? The answer starts with the land. From ʻŌhiʻa Lehua
Sep 30


Why Our Unique Bees to Mead Tour on O'ahu Belongs on Your Hawaiʻi Itinerary
When you think about things to do on Oʻahu, you might picture beautiful beaches, Diamond Head, surf breaks, scenic drives, and tropical sunsets. But there is another side of the island waiting to be discovered. Tucked away in Wahiawa, in the heart of Central Oʻahu, is a place where the journey from bee to bottle comes to life. At Mānoa Honey & Mead, the Bees to Mead Tour takes you beyond the typical Oʻahu sightseeing experience and into the fascinating world of honeybees, Haw
Sep 8


September is National Honey Month!
September is officially here, and at Mānoa Honey & Mead, that means one thing: it is time to celebrate National Honey Month (and pumpkin spice lattes sweetened with honey, of course!). September was chosen to mark the end of the honey harvest season across much of the United States. It is a moment to slow down, appreciate the incredible craftsmanship of our buzzing pollinators, and honor the rich, liquid gold that connects us to the land. Whether you enjoy a drizzle of raw ho
Sep 2


Bubbles vs. Still: The Difference between Sparkling Mead and Traditional Mead
When most people picture mead, they often imagine a heavy, honey-sweet potion served in a wooden chalice at a Renaissance fair. While traditional mead certainly honors those ancient roots, modern craft meadmaking has expanded far beyond the history books. Today, craft mead ranges from rich, velvety traditional pours to light, crisp, effervescent creations that sip remarkably like fine sparkling wine or a cold draft cider. If you have ever stared at a mead menu and wondered wh
Aug 25


The Birthplace of Mānoa Honey & Mead: Inside Our Wahiawa Honey House
Tucked away in the historic agricultural town of Wahiawa in central Oʻahu, our flagship Honey House and Meadery is where every single drop of our artisan honey and mead is crafted with aloha. Whether you are looking for a unique stop on your drive to the North Shore, searching for pure Hawaiian honey gifts, or eager to sample modern sparkling mead, our factory location offers a welcoming glimpse into the art of island beekeeping. 1. Free Honey Samples at our Wahiawa Honey Hou
Aug 19


The Honey Bar Kaimukī: Honolulu’s Spot for Craft Mead, Raw Honey & Good Vibes
If you haven’t heard the latest buzz around Oʻahu, let us introduce you to your new favorite neighborhood hang: The Honey Bar Kaimukī, our long-awaited second location on the island! Whether you’re looking to sip artisanal honey-based beverages, sample Hawaiian raw honeys, catch up with friends over light pupus, or kick off your weekend pre-game, The Honey Bar in historic Kaimukī brings a fresh, vibrant energy. What’s on Tap & On the Table? At The Honey Bar, we’re celebrating
Aug 3


Behind the Mead: Java Plum Rosé
Oh, Java Plum Rosé. How we love your botanical uniqueness. The Java Plum tree is found throughout the island of Oahu. Near our North Shore apiary site, there are rows of Java Plum trees tucked into the mountain range. There, we climb on ladders and truck hoods to harvest our own supply of Java Plum fruit. Sometimes, we're brave enough to pop one into our mouths, and scrunch our noses at its astringent tartness. The skin of the fruit is a deep purple color, which creates a gor
Feb 11, 2025


Behind the Mead: Punch 4
Our spin on a tropical Hawaiian fruit punch - this beautiful pink-hued delight is made with endemic 'Ohi'a Lehua honey and an eclectic mix of 4 island-grown fruits. All sourced from a local west-side farm on Oahu, Punch 4 features lilikoi (passionfruit), mango, Tahitian lime and dragon fruit. The red dragon fruit (also known as pitaya) lends its gorgeous color to this bubbly mead. With all fruits and honey combined, a fruity aroma emerges with notes of strawberries. Looking f
Feb 11, 2025


Behind the Mead: Yuzu Blanc
THE MAKING OF YUZU BLANC Made with Macadamia Blossom Honey and genuine Yuzu citrus, our Yuzu Blanc has delicate, aromatic notes of yuzu and white flowers with a slightly zesty finish. A semi-sweet, traditional style mead at 9.1% ABV. It pairs well with creamy desserts, spicy foods or on its own as an aperitif. We recommend to store and enjoy chilled. INSPIRATION & TRADITION Traditionally, yuzu is enjoyed in the winter months in Japan. Yuki and Erika, owners of Mānoa Honey & M
Feb 11, 2025


Our warmest aloha
2024 Reflections, with warmest aloha!
Dec 31, 2024


The Evolution of PŌ
Introducing our latest craft... PŌ Fortified. As we push the boundaries of honey & mead's potential, we are thrilled to share our new tradition with you... the evolution of PŌ. We've fortified our traditional mead Pō by adding a honey distillate, a spirit made from honey wine, & left the two to rest together in the barrel for another 6 months. This increased the ABV% & evolved into a fortified mead that delightfully shocked us with its unassuming complexity. Bright on the
Nov 25, 2024


Holiday Gifts from the Bees
Our most gifted for the holiday season. Make it sweet to be loved by you. Honey & Mead Gift Sets Our Classic and Premium Gift Sets share the true taste of Hawaii, so you can share the aloha with friends & family. Gift Sets include one sparkling mead and two premium honeys with gift box and red bow. Honey Bear Sampler Set These too-cute 2oz. baby honey bears are the ideal way to sample our top-selling raw honeys, which include 'Ohi'a Lehua, Macadamia Nut Blossom and our mixed-
Sep 20, 2024


Recipe: Honey Butters
Honey Butter recipes that go beyond the sweetness. Perfect on warm bread or to elevate your next grazing board!
Jun 25, 2024


Indulge Your Senses with Honey & Mead
A sensorial experience with honey and mead. How we engage our senses to connect with nature, bees & humankind and enjoy our honey and mead.
Jun 18, 2024


First Honey Harvest of 2024
First harvest of the year. Thanks to our volunteers!
Jun 12, 2024


Our Barrel-Aged Classics
The story behind our barrel-aged classics: rum barrel aged honey and Pō, our traditional mead aged in barrels for over a year.
Jun 12, 2024


New Mead Release! Guava Lavender Session
New Mead Release! Guava Lavender Session. Learn more with "Behind the Mead".
May 9, 2024


The Origin of "Honeymoon"
Did you know that mead is how the term "honeymoon" came to be? On this Valentine's Day, here's a fun fact in celebration of Love. Once believed to be an aphrodisiac, newlyweds would spend one full moon cycle after their union indulging in mead - a beverage made from fermented honey. Couples would drink and rejoice, attributing their fertility and good fortunes to this sweet elixir. This period became known as the “honeymoon”. Today, we celebrate this old tradition by capturin
Feb 14, 2024
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