Having built a network with Ranchers and Farmers and a partnership with Hawai’i Island Organizations in an effort to promote and support self-sufficiency and sustainability on Hawai’i Island, The Feeding Leaf LLC was established in 2014. Initially branded as a catering operation, in 2017, they opened a store front in the Old Industrial Area in Kailua Kona.
Today, you can find owners Les & Tracey Apoliona, along with their team of spirited workers preparing some childhood okazu favorites. The Feeding Leaf Kitchen & Okazuya is an Okazu (Japanese hand food) restaurant by day, and a full service catering company throughout the rest of the day. Daily, you can find their food on Hawai`i Island tours with partners: Paradise Helicopters, Kona Style Catamaran, Hawaii Forest & Trail & Hawaii Nautical.
Les, having spent most of his career in the hospitality industry, most recently expanded his skill set in the Agricultural arena. Serving as the Chief Operating Officer, with a strong Operations, Sales & Marketing background, Les has been a big supporter and champion of the “small farmer”, having supported and promoted over 50 Farmers and Ranchers at local Hawai`i events. Les oversees and manages all aspects of the catering operation in its entirety. He helps the clients realize their catering expectations.
With an extensive background in Human Resources and Accounting, Tracey uses her skills with being able to work with people as she functions in her new capacity as she heads the Culinary Operation. She is responsible for writing of all menus and food production. A self proclaimed "introvert", in an effort to stay grounded, Tracey insists that she be called: "Just Tracey". Les & Tracey have one child, Sean Apoliona a senior at Kamehameha School Kapalama on O`ahu who helps out at the restaurant as often as he can when he is home.
The Feeding Leaf has been featured at numerous food events across the state. Promoting Hawai’i Island Grass Fed Beef, they were seen at: The Hawai’i Food and Wine Festivals Pa`ina on the Pier event on O`ahu, The Mealani Taste of the Hawaiian Range at the Hilton Waikoloa Village, The Taste of Hilo, the Kona Coffee Cultural Festivals Ho`olaule`a, & Christmas at Kamakahonu event.
A community collaborator, The Feeding Leaf also partners with the Island of Hawai`i's Visitors Bureau and the Hawaii Tourism Authority, in an effort to promote Hawai`i Island as a premier travel destination. Using their unique strengths of purveying the freshest ingredients, Les and Tracey are able to give the visitor a true sense of "tasting" Hawai`i Island.
Today, you can find owners Les & Tracey Apoliona, along with their team of spirited workers preparing some childhood okazu favorites. The Feeding Leaf Kitchen & Okazuya is an Okazu (Japanese hand food) restaurant by day, and a full service catering company throughout the rest of the day. Daily, you can find their food on Hawai`i Island tours with partners: Paradise Helicopters, Kona Style Catamaran, Hawaii Forest & Trail & Hawaii Nautical.
Les, having spent most of his career in the hospitality industry, most recently expanded his skill set in the Agricultural arena. Serving as the Chief Operating Officer, with a strong Operations, Sales & Marketing background, Les has been a big supporter and champion of the “small farmer”, having supported and promoted over 50 Farmers and Ranchers at local Hawai`i events. Les oversees and manages all aspects of the catering operation in its entirety. He helps the clients realize their catering expectations.
With an extensive background in Human Resources and Accounting, Tracey uses her skills with being able to work with people as she functions in her new capacity as she heads the Culinary Operation. She is responsible for writing of all menus and food production. A self proclaimed "introvert", in an effort to stay grounded, Tracey insists that she be called: "Just Tracey". Les & Tracey have one child, Sean Apoliona a senior at Kamehameha School Kapalama on O`ahu who helps out at the restaurant as often as he can when he is home.
The Feeding Leaf has been featured at numerous food events across the state. Promoting Hawai’i Island Grass Fed Beef, they were seen at: The Hawai’i Food and Wine Festivals Pa`ina on the Pier event on O`ahu, The Mealani Taste of the Hawaiian Range at the Hilton Waikoloa Village, The Taste of Hilo, the Kona Coffee Cultural Festivals Ho`olaule`a, & Christmas at Kamakahonu event.
A community collaborator, The Feeding Leaf also partners with the Island of Hawai`i's Visitors Bureau and the Hawaii Tourism Authority, in an effort to promote Hawai`i Island as a premier travel destination. Using their unique strengths of purveying the freshest ingredients, Les and Tracey are able to give the visitor a true sense of "tasting" Hawai`i Island.
Les & Tracey Apoliona
The Future of The Feeding Leaf...
All the work that we do, is to perpetuate Sustainable Island Grown Foods and their food producers, in an effort to support future leaders of our community.
Let's start with one of our own...