In short: Mauna Kea Tea is a tea grower in Big Island, Hawaii, United States, according to Mauna Kea Tea, Mauna Kea Tea: about, Mauna Kea Tea: why we started a tea farm and Mauna Kea Tea: farm tour and tea tasting.
Mauna Kea Tea grows tea in Big Island, Hawaii, United States at about 291 m above sea level. The details on this page come from the grower's own published information and public sources (Mauna Kea Tea, Mauna Kea Tea: about, Mauna Kea Tea: why we started a tea farm and Mauna Kea Tea: farm tour and tea tasting); the map pin marks the locality (Honokaa, Hamakua) rather than the estate itself.
What the Published Sources Say
- Mauna Kea Tea says Taka and Kimberly Ino started the farm on the Big Island of Hawaii after extensive travel and study in tea production and culture.
- Mauna Kea Tea says its green tea is grown without pesticides and chemical fertilizers.
- Mauna Kea Tea says it kept USDA National Organic Program certification until 2019, then withdrew while keeping the same methods.
- Mauna Kea Tea says its nursery stock came from the USDA and the University of Hawaii.
- Mauna Kea Tea sells a pan-fired spring green tea and an orthodox black tea, and says it offers a farm tour with a Senchado tea ceremony by appointment only.
Sources: Mauna Kea Tea, Mauna Kea Tea: about, Mauna Kea Tea: why we started a tea farm, Mauna Kea Tea: farm tour and tea tasting. TeaTrade has not tested or tasted this grower's tea; these are the grower's and publishers' own statements.
Terroir & Climate
Tea in Hawaii is grown by a small number of farms, most of them on the volcanic slopes of the Big Island and a few on Maui. Because the islands rise from sea level to high volcanic uplands, conditions can differ sharply between nearby farms, and the mild climate generally allows a longer growing season than on the mainland.
The live forecast below tracks the current weather at the area's coordinates.
Tea Produced
Mauna Kea Tea is described as making green and black tea.
Operator
The business behind the estate is given as Taka and Kimberly Ino.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Mauna Kea Tea is in Big Island, Hawaii, United States; the map pin (20.08, -155.46) is approximate and marks the locality. Its 291 m elevation is the 5th highest of 7 estates we map in Big Island. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from this approximate pin, are:
- Johnny\u0027s Garden — 40 km away
- Ancient Leaf Tea — 50 km away
- Big Island Tea — 69 km away
- Second Alarm Farm — 76 km away
- Tea Hawaii \u0026 Company — 76 km away
Mauna Kea Tea Compared with Big Island
In Big Island, Mauna Kea Tea is the driest of the 7 estates by 2025 rainfall; lower than 67% of the others by elevation; warmer than 67% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Mauna Kea Tea against the 6 other estates we map in Big Island, so you can see whether it is typical for its region or an outlier.
| Measure | Mauna Kea Tea | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 291 m | 797 m | 12 to 1,134 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 426 mm | 1,046 mm | 874 to 1,436 mm |
| Mean daily high | 25.1 °C | 22.7 °C | 21.1 to 26.9 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 18.9 °C | 14.8 °C | 13.3 to 20.2 °C |
Observed Climate at Mauna Kea Tea (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Mauna Kea Tea’s coordinates recorded 426 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (115 mm) and the driest was May (12 mm). Daytime highs averaged 25.1 °C and overnight lows 18.9 °C over the year; September was the warmest month and February the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 426 mm |
| Wettest month | November (115 mm) |
| Driest month | May (12 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 25.1 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 18.9 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Mauna Kea Tea located?
Mauna Kea Tea is in Big Island, Hawaii, United States. The map pin (20.08, -155.46) is approximate and marks the locality rather than the estate, at an elevation of about 291 metres.
Who operates Mauna Kea Tea?
Mauna Kea Tea is operated by Taka and Kimberly Ino, according to the grower's published information.
What type of tea does Mauna Kea Tea produce?
Mauna Kea Tea is recorded as producing green and black tea.
How much rain does Mauna Kea Tea receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 426 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (115 mm).
Data sources: the grower’s own published information and public sources (Mauna Kea Tea, Mauna Kea Tea: about, Mauna Kea Tea: why we started a tea farm, Mauna Kea Tea: farm tour and tea tasting); climate figures are ERA5 reanalysis modelled for the area’s coordinates via Open-Meteo (calendar year 2025); the map pin is rounded to about 1 km and marks the locality, not the estate; elevation is a terrain-model value for that point. Spotted an error? Email [email protected].
