23/02/2025
The Arrival of the Factory 🚢🥥
In August 2013, the equipment finally arrived in Vava’u! My brother-in-law, Brandon Papavero, and I flew down ahead of it to prepare the site near the causeway in Pangai Motu. Brandon wasn’t just along for the ride—he was my right-hand man, and I truly couldn’t have done this without him. From the moment we arrived, we worked from before sunrise until late into the night, day after day. No task was too big or too small for him. Whether it was hauling materials, troubleshooting equipment, or negotiating with local contractors, he gave everything he had to make this project happen.
We split our time between managing the build—clearing land, pouring the concrete slab, and constructing a retaining wall—and traveling all over the island to meet with coconut farmers. We spent hours in the bush, getting to know the land and the people who knew coconuts best. One of them, Asi Valevale, had an incredible skill—he could tell exactly which coconuts had the best flavor just by knocking on them. He called the perfect age "Veli Vali," and that name became the foundation for our branding.
As the equipment was set up, we assembled a team of young men to harvest the coconuts, outfitting them with harnesses and hunting platforms to climb the trees and get the best fruit. One of them, William Wight, recently reconnected with me—a reminder of the incredible people who made this possible.
After two months of grueling work, the factory was up and running, and we had collected enough coconuts for our first production run. We processed and froze 600 gallons of coconut water and shipped it back to California.
There were so many challenges along the way—long days, tough conditions, and endless problem-solving—but through it all, Brandon was there, pushing forward with the same determination and drive. The equipment worked, the team was in place, and the product tasted and looked amazing. It truly felt like the start of something great. 🌴✨
