Saili Levi was born in Samoa and grew up in Apia and Savai until his family moved to Laie when he was 7 years old. Proud Laie boy, Saili attended Laie Elementary and Kahuku High School where he graduated in 2002. Saili served a mission in the Philippines and moved to Arizona and Utah when he returned from his mission. In Utah he reunited with Abigail Logan who was also born and raised in Laie and they were married in 2009, now proud parents of four. Saili started Laie Vanilla Company in the backyard of their Laie home in 2018 while still employed full-time. The farm outgrew the backyard and being a part-time gig in 2020 when Saili quit his job to dedicate himself to Laie Vanilla full-time. Laie Vanilla was able to move to a larger area and is now featured in several restaurants, hotels, stores, and markets. Some of his restaurant and hotel partners include the Ritz-Carlton, Kahala Resort, Four Seasons Ko'olina, Moku Kitchen, Monkeypod, MW Restaurant, Piggy Smalls, and Fete, to name a few. Laie Vanilla also partners with Holy Grail Donuts, Honolulu Coffee Company, Sage Creamery, and Kualoa and Kuilima farm stands. Saili grew up watching his father farm in Samoa, but only learned about vanilla in what he describes as a miracle and gift from his Heavenly Father in 2018. Self-taught on how to cultivate and cure vanilla, Saili has leaned on his faith many times as he has taken the vanilla farm and business from his backyard to a successful business providing the highest quality vanilla to Hawai'i, the mainland, and internationally. Saili loves farming and sharing his vanilla with professional and home chefs all over the islands and world, but his true joy has come from seeing his business relationships grow. Saili hopes one day to help others turn passions into realities whether it be in farming or other business. Saili believes that anything is possible with hard work, faith, and believing in yourself. He often talks to people about his journey.
