At just 11 years old, Sadie Yu has achieved what many entrepreneurs only dream of. Her Sweetheart Farm lilikoʻi butter debuted as an in-flight exclusive on Hawaiian Airlines in August, selling out on its first leg.
“There were so many people on the plane and they let me make an announcement,” Sadie said. “It was cool to see people buying and enjoying it.”
Sadie’s story is a testament to the values instilled in Kamehameha Schools haumāna, who are equipped to be ‘ōiwi leaders in and outside the classroom. From athletic standouts to theater mavens, students are guided by the E Ola! learner outcomes that encourage them to strive for excellence in every aspect of their lives.
Sadie’s love for animals began when she was just four years old, raising chickens on her family’s Hilo acreage. Over the years, her menagerie grew to include goats, pigs, cows, cats, dogs and more chickens. Her nurturing affinity for these animals was evident early on, as she often took time to sing and hug them as she did her chores.
“We used to wonder why she’s taking so long to clean up after them but it’s because she is talking to and spending time with every one of them,” Sadie’s mother, Jodi Yu KSK’06, said. “She really loves her animals.”
A typical day in Sadie’s life is packed with activity. After attending school at the Keaʻau campus, where her favorite class involves working in the māla, she heads to cheerleading practice. At home, she cares for her animals, completes her homework, spends time with her ʻohana and helps care for her brother, Kaʻohe.
Her younger sibling is the inspiration behind Sweetheart Farm. Kaʻohe has a genetic mutation that requires extensive care, at one point taking the family to California several times in one semester. Sadie started the business to help her hardworking parents with his needs.
“I wanted to help out with medical bills because I know that it’s expensive, so we started to sell our extra eggs and then we made lilikoʻi butter and pepper jelly,” Sadie said. “People started liking it and wanting more.”
Originally made by her great-grandmother for her parents’ wedding favors, she updated the recipe to be smoother, using fruits from her aunty’s tree. The name “Sweetheart” also comes from her great-grandmother, a term of endearment that Sadie now uses for her beloved pets, threading her family’s love through every part of her business.
Sadie Yu (center) sold close to 100 jars of her lilikoʻi butter on a Hawaiian Airlines flight from Kona to Los Angeles.
Sadie Yu (center) sold close to 100 jars of her lilikoʻi butter on a Hawaiian Airlines flight from Kona to Los Angeles.
“It's a proud parent moment,” her father, Gary Yu, said. “To see her grow from when she first started this business as a shy 7-year-old to now being outgoing and not afraid to put herself out there and speaking on the flight, it's amazing how much she’s grown!”
As Sweetheart Farm expands its product line to include microgreens, baked goods and more, Sadie dreams of reaching even greater heights. Though her butter is already available at an ABC store on Hawaiʻi Island, she hopes to eventually share her family’s story and food with the world. Her parents are committed to helping her develop these life skills so she can have a financially independent future grounded in giving back to her community.
“To me, being an ʻōiwi leader means leading the way, being pono and showing aloha to everybody,” Sadie said. “That’s what I do through my business.”
As Sadie’s ambitious spirit continues to take flight, this achievement is only the beginning of a remarkable journey ahead, rooted in ‘ohana, community and aloha.
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ks hawaii,keaau campus,ʻōiwi leadership,student achievement,farm to table,agriculture
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