Caryll Schwabe came to Kauai in 2004 to fly helicopters. The Charleston, W.V., native, known as “Cas,” had a knack for flying, but when the pilot ran out of money to secure a first-stage check instrument license, she ended up crashing
Caryll Schwabe came to Kauai in 2004 to fly helicopters.
The Charleston, W.V., native, known as “Cas,” had a knack for flying, but when the pilot ran out of money to secure a first-stage check instrument license, she ended up crashing with a friend while she crafted her next move.
Searching for her next step didn’t take long. Schwabe tapped into what she’d grown up around: Organic produce, farming.
I was “surrounded by very social foodies my entire life,” said Schwabe, who runs her own business, Akamai Juice Co., on a sprawling spread of ag land overlooking Secret Beach in Kilauea. “Food and beverage dominate my livelihood.”
Today, the organic farmer sells up to 150 gallons of juice every week. The all-natural drinks are made up from every fruit and vegetable befitting the Garden Isle. Her gallon numbers could go up, she said, because the popular dining destination, Tahiti Nui, is about to start serving breakfast. The juices are organic meals by themselves. The company offers three-day cleanses, where customers drink juices every couple of hours for days straight. The result is a body without sugars and toxins, dropped weight and increased energy. And after a cleanse, it takes less food to fill a person up. Those in the movie business are some of her clients and Schwabe has been invited to an Emmy Awards party to market her product more.
But limelight aside, the small business owner is quite content on her property in Kilauea, where she lives with a rather large, horned goat named Bill and an Arabian horse named Sunny. You can spot her truck, complete with a decal of her smiling face, driving all around the island, delivering her thick, rich juices bottled quaintly in mason jars.
She’s so much a North Shore character, that she’s, well, quite literally a North Shore character. Someone matching Schwabe almost to a T will be a suspect in a murder mystery in Steve Ackley’s book, “A killer in Kilauea.”
The Garden Island caught up with Schwabe, who has been running her business for a decade now.
The Garden Island: How did you end up on Kauai?
Caryll Schwabe: I’m the first female helicopter pilot on Kauai. I moved here to learn the chopper and ran out of money for flight school on my first stage instrument license check ride. A friend living in Haena had an extra bed. She offered it to me and I jumped on the opportunity.
TGI: How did you come up with your juice idea?
CS: I’m a full-blown, self-diagnosed juiceoholic, and Kauai has some really great farmers. With that being said, there’s an abundance of off-grade produce available. It’s a perfect platform for me to create fresh beverages.
TGI: Who are some of the types of people who use your juice? Is it all kinds of people or certain segments?
CS: Almost everyone is willing to try fresh juice. Especially fresh juice made with locally grown, organic ingredients. Primarily, my clients are people who have tasted my superior product in the past. There are also referrals and those who just stumble by the new juice bar at the Tahiti Nui luau room. People with specific issues and ailments come to me for food, wellness shots, juices, smoothies and teas.
TGI: What’s been the most rewarding component of your job?
CS: Health and wellness come with my job, so that’s really the benefit. I love helping. Helping people heal and feel better is the best reward. I’ve also gained a sea of info from my farmer friends over the years. Those guys are the real champs here. Farming is not easy. Working with my great friends John and Nandie Wooten in Anahola has been a delicious and wonderfully educational experience. Priceless pearls of wisdom and food; I’d be nowhere without the farmers.
TGI: You live out on ag land. What’s your favorite thing about Kilauea?
CS: I have an Arabian horse named Sunny and storage shack on ag land, where I spend lots of time. I’ve lived in an apartment on the very quiet Ulua Street in Kilauea for over 11 years. I’m a country mouse, always have been. I can handle big city living, but need my small town environment to really be happy. Kilauea is perfect, and I’ll be here forever. My favorite part of Kilauea is the authenticity. A perfect blend of the old and new, the young and old, the local and haole.
TGI: What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
CS: My dad always says, “You can do anything.” The film industry taught me to do the job fast and well.
TGI: You have a character based on you in an upcoming book. What’s that feel like?
CS: I’m really excited about “A Killer in Kilauea.” (I was) nervous and intrigued when Steve Akley asked permission to make me suspect to murder! This is Akley’s first attempt at fiction writing. Knowing Steve is a great writer, it’s fantastic and a really fun compliment to be featured in this new book. I adore the write up he did on Akamai Juice Co. for his book Small Brand America, Hawaii edition.
TGI: What’s you’re favorite book yourself?
CS: I have many favorite books. Steve’s latest two are my favorite reads this month!
TGI: Did you always want to be your own business owner?
CS: Yes and no. I’ve owned two other businesses. (I) also built and ran West Virginia’s first indoor skate park. Akamai Juice Co. helps people on so many different levels. I love it, and will continue to grow, slowly but surely. Starting and building a business without any cash is very difficult, but not impossible. I love Akamai Juice Company.
TGI: If you could do it all over again, would you? Anything you’d do over?
CS: Nope. No do overs for me. I’ve learned some really rough lessons in my 44 years.
TGI: Where do you see yourself going in five or 10 years? Hollywood to sell to the stars by chance?
CS: I see my juice company expanding and rocketing into international distribution. Akamai Juice Co. has been invited to the Emmy Awards gifting suite in August. That event will be phenomenal exposure for me and my little A-Team. I still juice and cook for people in the film and music industry. As a raw vegan chef, it’s easy to prepare meals and ship them both inter-island and all over the Mainland.
