In Hawai‘i, rain is more than weather. It is renewal, nourishment, and life itself. This quiet power inspired Ua Hawai‘i, the island-born bodycare and fragrance brand rooted in heritage, sustainability, and intention. Founded by Leala Humbert, Ua Hawai‘i continues a deeply personal legacy that began years ago with her mother’s handcrafted skincare, made lovingly at home.

Today, she carries that tradition forward through small-batch products that honor the land, respect culture, and celebrate simplicity. From native ingredients to conscious production practices, Ua Hawai‘i reflects a philosophy that beauty should feel thoughtful, grounded, and connected to place.

In this Q&A, Leala shares the story behind the brand, the meaning of carrying family legacy into modern entrepreneurship, and how Hawai‘i continues to shape every aspect of Ua, from scent and skincare to community and conservation.

1. Can you share what it was like watching your mother create the first products and how it shaped your vision today?

She was drawn to the flowers and local botanicals after moving from France in the 1980’s. At that time, natural or what is now known as clean beauty wasn’t prevalent. So she took things into her own hands, so to speak, and started crafting her own creams and salves in the kitchen. She was always focused on quality, simplicity, and using ingredients that could be found locally or were plant based. Everything was made in small batches with a focus on plant and seed oils as the base. She said, you don’t need fillers, just natural ingredients to nourish the skin.

That experience shaped how I approach Ua Hawaiʻi today. It reinforced the importance of staying hands-on, following my heart, and building something that is rooted in purpose and community. My goal has always been to honor what she started and to evolve responsibly as she would.

2. Ua means “rain” in Hawaiian. How does that concept influence your product philosophy and storytelling?

In Hawaiʻi, rain is essential. It sustains the land and connects different regions of the islands. The word ua reflects nourishment, balance, and renewal, which aligns with how we approach life and our work.

Our philosophy is centered on creating items that feel restorative and grounded. We focus on simplicity, effectiveness, and connection to place. That concept carries through our storytelling, where we emphasize origin, intention, and the relationship between the land here in Hawaiʻi and what we create.

3. What does sustainability mean to you, not just as a business priority, but as a way of life?

Sustainability has always been part of how we operate. Growing up in Hawaiʻi, you learn quickly that resources are finite and should be treated with respect. That mindset naturally extends into our business practices.

For us, sustainability means initial small-batch production, thoughtful sourcing, refill options where possible, and reducing unnecessary waste. It also means making decisions that consider long-term impact rather than short-term convenience. It is not a separate initiative. It is built into how we live and work. From the onset, we used glass containers and sustainable sourced pulp for our product cartons because it's the right thing to do.

4. Can you walk us through your process for developing a new product, from inspiration to formulation and small-batch production?

Our product development process starts with inspiration drawn from Hawaiʻi, often a scent, plant, or experience tied to place. From there, we move into formulation, testing and refining until the product meets our standards for performance and quality.

We produce in small batches, which allows us to maintain consistency and stay closely involved at every stage. This approach ensures each product reflects our values and meets the expectations of our customers.

5. How important is it to you to source native Hawaiian ingredients, and what are some of your favorites to work with?

Sourcing native Hawaiian ingredients is important, but it is something we approach thoughtfully. Not every ingredient is appropriate for commercial use, so we are careful about how and when we incorporate local elements.

Ingredients like ʻiliahi, or sandalwood, and florals such as gardenia and pikake are among my favorites. They are meaningful, familiar, and widely associated with Hawaiʻi, and when used responsibly, they help tell an authentic story of place.

6. Ua Hawaiʻi donates a portion of sales to conservation efforts. Can you tell us more about the causes you support and why they matter?

Giving back is a natural extension of operating a business in Hawaiʻi. We support conservation and community-focused initiatives that work to protect natural resources and promote long-term sustainability. We also do what we can in the community, including drives for women and children, and projects that directly impact the Native Hawaiian community.

These efforts matter because they help preserve the environment and culture that inspire our products. Supporting this work is part of our responsibility as a local brand.

7. Looking ahead, where do you see Ua Hawaiʻi in five years? Are there new product lines, collaborations, or initiatives on the horizon?

In five years, I see Ua Hawaiʻi continuing to grow in a measured and intentional way. That includes expanding our product offerings, exploring thoughtful collaborations, and strengthening our presence both locally and beyond Hawaiʻi.

Growth for us is about maintaining quality and values while reaching new customers who appreciate what we stand for.

8. What’s one thing about your entrepreneurial journey that has surprised you the most?

One of the biggest surprises has been how much people value transparency and authenticity. Customers are genuinely interested in how products are made and where they come from.

That reinforces the importance of staying true to our roots and being clear about our process and values.

9. Is there a personal ritual tied to Hawaiian culture or your own self-care that you’d like to share with our readers?

For me, self-care is about consistency and simplicity. Taking time at the beginning or end of the day to slow down, whether that is through scent, skincare, or quiet reflection, helps create balance.

Using our products intentionally is a small but meaningful way to stay connected to that routine.

10. Finally, what does success mean to you as a founder, mother, and steward of your mother’s legacy?

Success means maintaining integrity while continuing to grow. As a founder, it is building a company that is responsible and sustainable. As a mother, it is modeling values like care, respect, and accountability.

Most importantly, success is honoring what my mother started and ensuring that Ua Hawaiʻi remains grounded in quality, purpose, and connection to Hawaiʻi for years to come.

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Yvon Lux is the editor of her Apple News channel covering lifestyle news and current events. When she’s not busy writing about impactful brands and standout products, she and her husband can be found snuggling with their emotionally needy, perpetually sleepy golden retriever, or she’s chipping away at her Juris Doctor. Connect with her on Instagram and subscribe to her Apple News channel.