“You must have the basics right or nothing will work well,” said owners Barry and Monnie Gay. Their dream for this small and growing manufacturing company has been the driving force behind all the hard work in creating their unbeatable formulas and natural product lines.
Their products collectively contain over 120 ingredients. “It is well worth the time and trouble to get it right,” said Barry.
The Gays have changed and added products, modified the company look with a sleeker, more professional image, updated labels to promote their Hawaiian roots, added bar codes, new bottles and jars. They have increased the product line from 60 to over 130 items and now provide complete product selections in every scent.
“You can order body and room mists, body oils, bath salts, and salt and sugar scrubs, all in your favorite scents,” said Monnie.
“We are dedicated to making the finest quality, all-natural skin care products available to the islands,” she said. They incorporate traditional Hawaiian ingredients in their product lines and handcraft them in small batches to provide that just-made product with a fresh appeal.
The process of developing the body oils begins with their very own unique Aloha Sun infused herbal oils. They select special medicinal herbs that are known for their excellent healing and savory properties.
“We then infuse them into olive oil for up to eight weeks under the warm and magical Maui sun,” said Barry. These luscious infused oils have become the very foundation of their products, and exemplify the company’s quality and excellence.
The ingredients they use are from local sources whenever they are available. However, some ingredients, such as the lotus blossom absolute oil, come from as far away as Tibet.
“It would be easy to develop simple body oils with a bit of essential oil added to any base oil, but that is not the best way for your skin or your well-being,” said Monnie.
When your standards are that high, it often takes months of research and testing before a product can be brought to market.
Although the majority of their 18 different scents could be listed as organic, the Gays prefer that their products be thought of as “all-natural.”
“Available in pure essential oils of Aromatherapy, Hawaiian, and Therapeutic formulas, these luxurious body oils have been developed for the bath, for massage therapy, and for use as an everyday moisturizer,” said Barry. “They include many premium-grade base oils, infused oils, essential oils and fragrances, as well as jojoba, kukui nut, avocado, macadamia nut, rich coconut and cocoa butter.”
“At our customers’ request, we have expanded the company to include specialty items and new products,” said Monnie. “The most fun product we made for the Hawai‘i Nature Center is our Pahuku Mosquito Repel Spray. And we are delighted that it works!”
There is also the ever-special Mama’s Prenatal Oil, Mama’s Keiki Belly Oil, Mama’s Voluptuous Breast Oil, a line of soothing foot-care products, and Kona Coffee Tanning Oil.
“The top-of-the-line massage oil, containing 19 ingredients, is the Therapeutic Muscle Ease. It is used internationally by massage and physical therapists. Visitors and locals alike still favor the Hawaiian scents—Hawaiian Lei, Maui Moana (ocean), Ma‘ukele (rainforest), and our best seller, Tropical Bliss, in all of our products,” said Monnie.
“One of the best kept secrets in Hawai‘i will not be a secret for much longer!” said Joyce Williams, Maui distributor for Aloha Sun Botanicals. “I have been using ASB products for a few years now and they have grown to being a primary part of my body care routine. As these are the best quality oils, I find that the products absorb beautifully and have the most pleasant smells to them.”
Williams likes to have regular cleansing times with soaks and finds that ASB Bath Salts have the total combination recommended by her oriental medicine doctor. “The special-blend bath salts are very reasonably priced, and have the highest health care level with natural healing clays and essential oils of the best quality,” she said.
Williams is about to start her own candle business, Maui Candle Essences. “It is truly in its infancy,” she said. “However, ASB is welcoming the addition of my Essential and Hawaiian fragrance soy and wax candles to their product line.”
Aloha Sun products can already be found in various upscale stores at The Shops at Wailea, Lahaina spas, visitor centers, health food stores and specialty shops throughout Maui and in Japan.
Look for them at the St. John’s Kula Festival on Saturday, Sept. 26, at 9 a.m., where you can try all the products. Orders may be placed via www.alohasunbotanicals.com, asb@hawaii.rr.com or (808) 876-1973.
Article Photos
Joyce Williams is the Maui distributor for Aloha Sun Botanicals.
