{"id":192096,"date":"2024-02-15T14:33:20","date_gmt":"2024-02-16T00:33:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=192096"},"modified":"2024-02-15T14:33:20","modified_gmt":"2024-02-16T00:33:20","slug":"going-bananas-local-agriculture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2024\/02\/15\/going-bananas-local-agriculture\/","title":{"rendered":"Going bananas for local agriculture"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
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From left, Luke Untermann, Zak Barry, Galen McCleary and Matt Hong<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If you\u2019ve ever tasted Banán, you know that the banana-based, non-dairy ice cream is a delicious alternative to heavily processed and sugar-laden desserts. The company was started by University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> at M\u0101noa Shidler College of Business<\/a> alumnus Luke Untermann and three of his childhood friends—Matt Hong, Zak Barry and Galen McCleary—back in 2015 when they collectively dreamed of starting a business that would support Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>\u2019s agriculture industry.<\/p>\n

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The team always had a big picture goal of reviving the banana industry. At that time, it was dwindling from disease, which was forcing many local farms to shut down. Banán has partnered with Hawaii Banana Source over the years to supplement their supply with organic, Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> grown bananas. Barry says the partners hope that through Banán\u2019s growth and its customers\u2019 enjoyment of its tropical flavors, they can continue to be a part of supporting local agriculture while helping Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> sustain itself.<\/p>\n

Banán started selling its plant-based treats out of a food truck in the Diamond Head neighborhood. Today, it has grown to multiple locations across Oʻahu<\/span> and is enjoying sweet success at its newest location in Kaimuk\u012b, next door to Barry\u2019s parents\u2019 Bead It! store. And the company\u2019s latest addition is a sister brand called CheeHoo (Banán in an ice cream bar form) that is now available in grocery stores across the state.<\/p>\n

Untermann said his Shidler College experiences were instrumental to starting and growing the business.<\/p>\n

“My education propelled our business success in that UH<\/abbr> programs really give you the opportunity and experience to work in team settings in a way that mimics the real business world,” he said.<\/p>\n

The cofounders appreciate the community they\u2019ve been able to create as part of their business journey.<\/p>\n

“Banán\u2019s community consists of athletes, artists and creatives who share a passion and want to leave a positive impact on the environment,” Barry said. “Sometimes it\u2019s funny to think that a seemingly simple and silly cold treat unites our company and drives our mission to have a positive impact on our community in Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>.”<\/p>\n

For the entire story and more stories like this, see the fall\/winter 2023 edition of Shidler Business<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Banán has grown to multiple locations across Oʻahu<\/span> and is enjoying sweet success at its newest location in Kaimuk\u012b.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[222,498,734,1466,146,660,9],"class_list":["post-192096","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-people","tag-agriculture","tag-business","tag-entrepreneurship","tag-manoa-enhancing-student-success","tag-shidler-college-of-business","tag-student-recognition","tag-uh-manoa","entry","has-media"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t