Aloha, we’re Haleakalā Biochar.
(Formerly ʻŪkiu Farms)
We are makers of premium, made-to-order biochar to support the life of the land and the health of our soils, fresh water, and ocean. Located high on the slopes of Haleakalā, since 2020 our family-run business has committed to making the highest quality biochar and value added products to promote a circular economy on Maui. We provide Maui-made biochar for agricultural producers, home gardeners, land restoration projects, and stormwater filtration projects, and in the aftermath of the Maui wildfires, soil remediation.
Long-time Upcountry residents, our professional background is in native habitat restoration, soil rehabilitation, and sustainable business strategy.
We’ve learned over the years that restoration starts from the ground up. So, building healthy soil is the first step.
Meet the Team
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Joe Imhoff
CO-FOUNDER, PRESIDENT
With over 20 years’ experience on Maui working in land stewardship, project management, native habitat restoration, and invasive species eradication, Joe is a bonafide “soil nerd” and has been perfecting our biochar production methods and application methods since 2020.
Joe is a 2022 Ka Ipu Kukui Fellow, the Vice Chair of Maui County Arborist Committee, and the Conservation and Campus Manager at Skyline Hawai’i, a certified B-corporation, where he manages one of Hawai’i’s leading ecotour companies, a team of 11 conservation crew members, and a 43-acre restoration forest. His innovations in creating a next-generation conservation workforce have deployed teams to care for Maui Countyʻs most pristine native ecosystems, leading to numerous accolades and recognitions both locally and statewide.
Joseph has decades of experience in managing large-scale forestry operations and is currently managing scientific field trials for disease resistant genetics among critical native tree species.
**2017 Mālama I Ka ‘Āina award recipient
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Sara Tekula
CO-FOUNDER, VICE PRESIDENT
Sara’s professional experience on Maui ranges widely, from serving as business faculty at the University of Hawai’i, to creative media production, to conservation programs management–and beyond. Her dream is to see Maui become 100% self-sufficient through a circular economy, starting with soil products made right here on island with readily available, repurposed resources. She is currently serving as founding executive director of the Kula Community Watershed Alliance.
A long time champion of Maui’s community wellness and environment, Sara has been a learner with Hālau ‘Ōhia since 2020. She co-founded and produced TEDxMaui, and spent 12 years helping to establish The Merwin Conservancy, a 18-acre restoration forest and historic property containing one of the largest collections of palm trees in the world.
As a volunteer and consultant, she has worked with many of Mauiʻs leading environmental organizations, and sat on the statewide Executive Committee of Sierra Club Hawai’i.
**2017 Mālama I Ka ‘Āina award recipient
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Andy Schmelzer
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Andy’s details coming soon!
A FEW OF OUR NOTABLE CUSTOMERS AND CLIENTS:
