NAMIHANA

波　花
＊NAMIHANA＊

Hawaii’s Nature and Fresh Produce
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Japan’s Traditional Craftsmanship
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The Best of Two Worlds

NAMIHANA is a distilled spirits made with Hawaii’s beautiful nature and Japan’s traditional craftsmanship. NAMIHANA is a premium Hawaiian IMO (sweet potato) SHOCHU (traditional distilled spirits from Japan) brewed, distilled, and bottled in Haleiwa, Hawaii.

Japan’s Traditional Handcraft Techniques

NAMIHANA is created with the traditional handcraft techniques of “KUROSE Brew Masters” of Kagoshima, Japan. The rice is steamed in a wooden steamer called KOSHIKI, then it is cultured to make KOJI-rice.

The mash of KOJI-rice and steamed sweet potatoes is slowly and naturally fermented in the century-old ceramic vats called KAMETSUBO. NAMIHANA is distilled only one time with the traditional wooden still called KIDARU.

Why Hawaii?

Hawaii’s year-round warm climate is similar to Kagoshima’s fall season when IMO SHOCHU is produced. The soil condition greatly influenced by the volcanic activity is ideal to grow quality sweet potatoes. Also, the sweet potatoes are considered as Hawaii’s traditional crops. There are over twenty varieties of sweet potatoes grown in Hawaii. Hawaii is the ideal place to make the IMO SHOCHU.

ARIGATO, Hawaii!!

Hawaii is what makes good quality IMO SHOCHU. All the element of Hawaii such as the air, water, soil, Hawaiian grown sweet potatoes, and even things you cannot see or feel are the reasons which make great IMO SHOCHU in Hawaii. We would like the people in Hawaii to know that Hawaii makes such fine SHOCHU and to join us in being proud of what Hawaii can do. ARIGATO, Hawaii!!

Distiller’s Profile: Ken served his apprenticeship under Master Manzen at Manzen Shuzo Co. in Kagoshima, Japan. Manzen Shuzo Co. is a well-known for their traditionally handcrafted premium IMO SHOCHU. Ken was able to learn the techniques of “KUROSE Brew Masters” from Master Manzen. Ken and his wife Yumiko started their small distillery in Haleiwa, Hawaii in 2013.