Our Founder & Mission



KAKAO is a 501c3 non profit organization that was founded in 2016 with the mission to bring true ceremonial-grade cacao to the western world for healing, inspiration, heart-opening and connection. At the time, no other ceremonial grade cacao was available in the states. Through many synchronicities and divine guidance, KAKAO was birthed from passion, innovation and love. It was the first true ceremonial-grade cacao made accessible across the globe. KAKAO grew organically, solely via word of mouth, until this day without the use of a single paid ad, marketing campaign, sponsorship or business "strategy."

Our Founder Luana (Makenzie's Hawaiian name, based on Maui), travels throughout Central & South America to find the most potent and heirloom cacao beans in the world. The cacao and all of our raw ingredients are sourced directly, meaning well beyond "fair trade" pricing. KAKAO's production process start to finish was created to preserve the integrity and essence of cacao (the "spirit" of cacao) for the highest benefit of those who work with it.

KAKAO's promise is to share the purest ceremonial grade cacao on the planet with you, from how ingredients are sourced, to how the product is lovingly made, and how we run the organization behind the scenes. It is of utmost importance to us to support the farmers, tribes and communities that bring us this life-changing and heart-healing "medicine for the soul."

To work with cacao is a sacred calling. Huge thanks to all of our partners on the ground in Peru, Guatemala, and Colombia, all of the farmers, and all of the original guardians of the cacao across Central & South America that have made it possible for all of us to work with this medicine.

Some of our sacred cacao alliances include:

  • The Arhuaco/Ike Tribe and SunNation in the Sierra Nevadas of Colombia
  • Small, family owed farms in the highlands surrounding Quillabamba, Peru
  • Nana Marina Cruz and her family of ancient Mayan lineage in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
  • Beronica & Laurent of DaliLeo at Finca El Porvenir in Alta Verapaz, Guatemala

Beyond our cacao-specific partners, KAKAO Ceremonial Drinking Chocolate 501c3 and our sister organization, Rainbow Bridge Ministries 508c1a, has many other collaborative alliances that we make financial contributions to to support the raising of consciousness of all beings everywhere.

Sincere gratitude to each and every one of you, the incredible KAKAO community across the globe that is committed to the path of living and leading from the heart. It is because of you that we get to share the principles of Oneness, Harmony and Love through the vehicle of KAKAO.

Over on Instagram for the last several years, Luana/Makenzie has shared her journey, along with many videos and informational posts about cacao, sourcing, farmers, my travels, and worldwide ceremonies/events. On New year's eve 2024, KAKAO & Luana officially went off Instagram. Now, you can subscribe to the WhatsApp announcements board for rare but relevant KAKAO updates.

 

KAKAO's Mission

1) To protect wild, native strains of cacao while supporting and uplifting the farmers, communities and indigenous families that cultivate them.

2) To share the heart-opening power of true ceremonial-grade cacao with the world at large for the betterment of humanity, our planet and beyond.

 

Listen to: a recent podcast interview we did that covers Cacao's science, benefits, usage in daily life and a bit about the KAKAO story.

 


Thank you for being here on this sacred journey together.

Love,

LUANA STARLIGHT