Hawaii has long been associated with cannabis culture. Big Island Grown’s legacy goes beyond cannabis.
Jaclyn, CEO and co-founder at Big Island Grown says: “Our company’s history is deeply rooted in the agricultural industry.” Our production facility was once a large banana farm and then sugarcane. It is now a state-of the-art cannabis factory. Our farming methods have changed as we are more mindful of our land, the people we serve, and the communities we work with. Our goal is to create a sustainable farming community for the next generation.
BIG’s agriculture background led to them being licensed as a producer and dispensary in Hawaii on the Big Island.
Moore, along with co-founder Dylan Shropshire and their team, which includes many patients, pharmacists as well as farmers, artists and caregivers. Their collective passion is for plant and patients, which they believe results in the finest cannabis, patient care, and service available anywhere in Hawaii.
Moore said that the team is working tirelessly in order to promote the Big Island’s Cannabis Culture, which includes breeders and artists as well as farmers, growers and other local businesses.
BIG has opened three new shops on the island, in Kona Hilo and Waimea.
Moore says that it doesn’t really take much time for staff to know you by name, remember your preferences in products and give you the scoop on new product launches based on what you want.
Like our staff, patients are quickly integrated into our family and we depend on them to give us honest and timely feedback. Big Islanders know the importance of quality, and they are vocal about their opinions.
Patients Attendants, also known as Budtenders or Patient Assistants (PAs), are integral in supporting BIG’s core values of customer service and education. The budtenders educate the patients about new strains and formulations. They also inform them on tech, the members of the BIG team, as well as the technology behind the products.
Moore says, “Patient Attendants are individuals who have a strong focus on patient care and compassion.” Moore says that they are committed to developing relationships with people whom they come into contact every day.
This triumvirate also includes a 35,000-square foot indoor growing facility that is controlled for environmental reasons to produce high-quality flower. Hawaii, with its large solar window, abundant water and long growing season, is well-known for producing high quality outdoor marijuana. But BIG’s indoor cannabis grow virtually guarantees protection against humidity, severe weather conditions and volcanic eruptions.
In preparation for adult cannabis use, they are also in the process expanding their facility. It will have an extra 9,000 sq. ft. of flower area, a larger processing room, and a kitchen.
BIG’s method of cultivation is equally impressive. It uses a system for potting that produces no waste, even when it comes to washing or recycling. This also means there are zero disruptions in the roots during transplanting. All of their water supply comes from a volcanic spring, which is fed from a plantation-constructed water reservoir.
Shropshire states that many members of the team were either born or raised in Hawaii and have generations of experience with Hawaii cannabis cultivation. The most remote chain of islands on earth presents many challenges. Sustainability is at the top of our minds when making decisions.
BIG is working to overcome the energy costs in Hawaii, which are the highest in the nation at over 40 cents per kilowatt-hour. They have installed a roof of almost 700 solar panels.
We finally decided to Fohse [lights] Shropshire is impressed by their innovation and attention to details. They are, in our view, the most high-quality LED grow lights in the market. The company is also constantly improving their product in conjunction with the growers. We have high energy prices in Hawaii and must be efficient when choosing lights. Fohse has the highest efficiency rating.
This story was originally published in the print edition of Cannabis Now.