Oahu family ‘blessed’ their business Laie Vanilla Co. is thriving
1/20
Swipe or click to see more
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM
Vanilla bean pods are seen growing on the farm of Saili Levi on Monday, June 28, in Laie. Saili Levi, along with his wife and three daughters, are the proprietors of Laie Vanilla Co., which entails growing, hand pollinating, and harvesting the orchid crop which is the second most expensive spice in the world.2/20
Swipe or click to see more
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM
Saili Levi hand pollinates a vanilla orchid among the rows of vanilla orchid vines at his farm on Monday, June 28, in Laie. Saili Levi, along with his wife and three daughters, are the proprietors of Laie Vanilla Co., which entails growing, hand pollinating, and harvesting the orchid crop the second most expensive spice in the world behind saffron.3/20
Swipe or click to see more
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM
Eight-year-old Malie Levi hand pollinates a vanilla orchid blossom in her family’s backyard on Monday, June 28, in Laie. Saili Levi, along with his wife and three daughters, are the proprietors of Laie Vanilla Co., which entails growing, hand pollinating, and harvesting the orchid crop the second most expensive spice in the world behind saffron.4/20
Swipe or click to see more
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM
Saili Levi smiles at his young vanilla orchid vines the backyard of his home on Monday, June 28, in Laie. Saili Levi, along with his wife and three daughters, are the proprietors of Laie Vanilla Co., which entails growing, hand pollinating, and harvesting the orchid crop the second most expensive spice in the world behind saffron.5/20
Swipe or click to see more
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM
Saili Levi, left, and daughter Malie, 8, walk the rows of vanilla orchid vines at their farm on Monday, June 28, in Laie. Saili Levi, along with his wife and three daughters, are the proprietors of Laie Vanilla Co., which entails growing, hand pollinating, and harvesting the orchid crop the second most expensive spice in the world behind saffron.6/20
Swipe or click to see more
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM
Vanilla bean pods are seen on the vine on Monday, June 28, in Laie. Saili Levi, along with his wife and three daughters, are the proprietors of Laie Vanilla Co., which entails growing, hand pollinating, and harvesting the orchid crop the second most expensive spice in the world behind saffron.7/20
Swipe or click to see more
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM
Saili Levi checks on the rows of vanilla orchid vines at his farm on Monday, June 28, in Laie. Saili Levi, along with his wife and three daughters, are the proprietors of Laie Vanilla Co., which entails growing, hand pollinating, and harvesting the orchid crop the second most expensive spice in the world behind saffron.8/20
Swipe or click to see more
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM
Saili Levi hand pollinates a vanilla orchid blossom among the rows of vanilla orchid vines at his farm on Monday, June 28, in Laie. Saili Levi, along with his wife and three daughters, are the proprietors of Laie Vanilla Co., which entails growing, hand pollinating, and harvesting the orchid crop the second most expensive spice in the world behind saffron.9/20
Swipe or click to see more
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM
Taimane Levi, 4, holds harvested and dried vanilla beans on Monday, June 28, in Laie. Saili Levi, along with his wife and three daughters, are the proprietors of Laie Vanilla Co., which entails growing, hand pollinating, and harvesting the orchid crop the second most expensive spice in the world behind saffron.10/20
Swipe or click to see more
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM
Malie Levi, 8, walks the rows of vanilla orchid blossom vines looking to hand pollinate blossoms on Monday, June 28, in Laie. Saili Levi, along with his wife and three daughters, are the proprietors of Laie Vanilla Co., which entails growing, hand pollinating, and harvesting the orchid crop the second most expensive spice in the world behind saffron.11/20
Swipe or click to see more
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM
Malie Levi, 8, hand pollinates a vanilla orchid blossom on her family’s farm on Monday, June 28, in Laie. Saili Levi, along with his wife and three daughters, are the proprietors of Laie Vanilla Co., which entails growing, hand pollinating, and harvesting the orchid crop the second most expensive spice in the world behind saffron.12/20
Swipe or click to see more
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM
Vanilla orchid blossoms are seen on Monday, June 28, in Laie. Saili Levi, along with his wife and three daughters, are the proprietors of Laie Vanilla Co., which entails growing, hand pollinating, and harvesting the orchid crop the second most expensive spice in the world behind saffron.13/20
Swipe or click to see more
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM
Inilani Levi, 5, holds a jar of harvested and dried vanilla beans among the rows of vanilla orchid vines at the family farm on Monday, June 28, in Laie. Saili Levi, along with his wife and three daughters, are the proprietors of Laie Vanilla Co., which entails growing, hand pollinating, and harvesting the orchid crop the second most expensive spice in the world behind saffron.14/20
Swipe or click to see more
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM
Malie Levi, 8, hand pollinates a vanilla orchid blossom on her family’s farm on Monday, June 28, in Laie. Saili Levi, along with his wife and three daughters, are the proprietors of Laie Vanilla Co., which entails growing, hand pollinating, and harvesting the orchid crop the second most expensive spice in the world behind saffron.15/20
Swipe or click to see more
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM
Saili Levi, top, and daughters Malie, 8, Inilani, 5, and Taimane, 4, pose for a portrait among the rows of vanilla orchid vines at the family’s farm on Monday, June 28, in Laie. Saili Levi, along with his wife and three daughters, are the proprietors of Laie Vanilla Co., which entails growing, hand pollinating, and harvesting the orchid crop the second most expensive spice in the world behind saffron.16/20
Swipe or click to see more
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM
Harvested and dried Laie vanilla beans, photographed on Monday, June 28, in Laie. Saili Levi, along with his wife and three daughters, are the proprietors of Laie Vanilla Co., which entails growing, hand pollinating, and harvesting the orchid crop the second most expensive spice in the world behind saffron.17/20
Swipe or click to see more
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM
A vanilla orchid blossom prior to being hand pollinated is held by Saili Levi on Monday, June 28, in Laie. Saili Levi, along with his wife and three daughters, are the proprietors of Laie Vanilla Co., which entails growing, hand pollinating, and harvesting the orchid crop the second most expensive spice in the world behind saffron.18/20
Swipe or click to see more
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM
Saili Levi holds a dried and harvested vanilla bean, left, alongside a vanilla bean pod still on the vine on Monday, June 28, in Laie. Saili Levi, along with his wife and three daughters, are the proprietors of Laie Vanilla Co., which entails growing, hand pollinating, and harvesting the orchid crop the second most expensive spice in the world behind saffron.19/20
Swipe or click to see more
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM
Malie Levi, 8, walks the rows of vanilla orchid vines looking to hand pollinate blossoms on Monday, June 28, in Laie. Saili Levi, along with his wife and three daughters, are the proprietors of Laie Vanilla Co., which entails growing, hand pollinating, and harvesting the orchid crop the second most expensive spice in the world behind saffron.20/20
Swipe or click to see more
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM
A vanilla orchid blossom is seen on Monday, June 28, in Laie. Saili Levi, along with his wife and three daughters, are the proprietors of Laie Vanilla Co., which entails growing, hand pollinating, and harvesting the orchid crop the second most expensive spice in the world behind saffron.
Protesters and counter-protesters rally during the Republican National Convention
Scenes from the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee
People celebrate Hawaii ʻUkulele Festival in Waikiki
About 300 people celebrate the life of Tamayo Perry
Supporters turn out for Trump as assassination attempt investigation underway
Back in the Day: Photos from Hawaii’s Past
Waikiki Steel Guitar Week wraps up at Royal Hawaiian Center
Crews continue to battle Haleakala Crater Road fire
Hula’s Bar & Lei Stand to celebrate 50th anniversary
Subscriber Favorites
Trump makes triumphant entrance at GOP convention, joins running mate JD Vance
Judge tosses Trump documents case over prosecutor’s appointment
Kauai wildfire forces evacuations, power shutoff in Kaumakani; 2 shelters opened
Suspect sought in attempted sex assault in Waikiki
Beloved Oahu surfer and lifeguard Tamayo Perry is celebrated
More Photo Galleries
Protesters and counter-protesters rally during the Republican National Convention
Scenes from the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee
People celebrate Hawaii ʻUkulele Festival in Waikiki
About 300 people celebrate the life of Tamayo Perry
Supporters turn out for Trump as assassination attempt investigation underway
