our story

our beginning

Our beginnings were formulated out of close interactions between curious engineers and biologists to identify limitations to algae productivity, and to identify potential solutions in order to improve productivity while controlling and ideally lowering production costs. Through diligence in TEA, sensitivity analysis and proof of concept experimentation, we have identified algal cultivation technology developments that can disrupt the current state of the industry. Once we had data to validate our approach as well as cost analysis that showed we could implement our technology without increasing overall costs we were driven to move forward with our company and began to identify markets to sell our low cost algal biomass.

It did not take long to identify the markets we knew had the largest impact on overall human well being. With human population growth continuing, and food production becoming ever more challenging it is clear that efficient production of protein will be key. Aquaculture is the fastest growing food segment, and aquatic protein sources will soon overtake traditional protein sources such as chickens as a staple in our diets. However, sustainable feed ingredients that are nutritious are problematic for the industry. It is well known that algae are the preferred nutritional source for fish, however high costs have prevented the aquaculture industry from utilizing this asset. At Nāmaka, we aim to make algae an affordable, sustainable, nutritious option. We are excited for our next phase of growth, full of prototyping, optimizing and formulating!

sustaining aquaculture, innovating the future

our team

Valerie Harmon, founder and ceo

Ms. Harmon’s background is in aquaculture and commercial algae production.  After obtaining a Master of Agriculture in Aquaculture, she worked in shellfish hatchery technology development.  She has spent the last 22 years of her career working for commercial algae producers and pilot/demonstration scale up startups in algae.

She has experience in environmental permitting, safety, water system design and operation, various cultivation methods, and downstream processing such as harvesting methods, drying procedures, packaging, quality control, GMP, business development, new product development and sales (including sales to animal and aqua feed manufacturers).  He real-world perspective on cost control via simple and easy manufacturing methods is a critical advantage for this team.   

Albert Tacon, advisor

Dr. Tacon is a world-renowned expert in aquaculture nutrition.  He has a Ph.D. in fish nutrition and over 50 years of professional experience in aquaculture R&D, focusing on aquatic feeds and nutrition.  His experience includes 11 years of teaching and research in the UK, 14 years working for the Food and agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and over 25 years in practical experience in public and private research institutions and with companies across the world.

our support

HATCH blue, Ocean foundry program

We are proud members of the Hatch Ocean Foundry program based in Kailua-Kona, Hawai’i.  The incubator campus hosts, stimulates, guides, develops, and supports the world’s best aquaculture and innovation talent in their drive to solve key aquaculture sustainability challenges.  They are uniquely positioned where R&D intersects with the world’s largest multi-species subtropical aquaculture location.  To have their support to develop our technology is proving invaluable to our company’s growth and development in Kailua-Kona Hawai’i. 

our name

Námaka: Hawai’ian Goddess of the Sea - Life-Giver and Protector

Waves break by her force. Surf generates at her call.

In Hawaiian mythology, Nāmaka (or Nā-maka-o-Kahaʻi, the eyes of Kahaʻi) appears as a sea goddess in the Pele family. She is an older sister of Pele-honua-mea (or Pele), the volcano or fire goddess.  She is the daughter of Ku-waha-ilo and Haumea. The two sisters are opposites. One rules over the fiery volcanoes of Hawai’i Island, the other over the cool, majestic waves of the ocean.

According to ancient legend, Nāmaka was married to a mighty sorcerer, Aukelenuiaiku. Upon meeting him she was impressed by his warrior spirit, showed him all her forms and taught him her magical powers. But easily swayed, Aukelenuiaiku was seduced by Nāmaka’s younger, beautiful sister, Pele. Aukelenuiaiku betrayed Nāmaka by taking Pele as his wife.

Outraged, Nāmaka sent high tides and floods to destroy Pele’s home in Tahiti. Pele and her family fled but could not escape her sister’s wrath. As Pele set forth, she was accompanied by her most respected brother Kamohoaliʻi, custodian of the waters, as guide. Her favorite younger sister Hiʻiaka also joined Pele, perhaps inside an egg under Pele’s arm to stay warm.

The islands and atolls of the South Pacific had become tranquil over the centuries. But the new islands Pele came upon were dynamic with rivers of molten lava and the potential to provide her with an ideal fiery home.

First landfall happened in the northern islands of the Hawai’ian archipelago. Starting on Niʻihau and moving to Kauaʻi, Pele used her digging stick to strike the land looking for a molten pit to create a residence. However, a relentless Nāmaka had pursued Pele. So, every time she excavated a crater, Nāmaka flooded it—an eternal opposition between the elements of fire and water.

Pele traveled down the island chain followed by her enraged sister who extinguished every pit Pele dug. It is said that the pursuit ended in a battle near Hana on the island of Mau’i where Pele was torn apart. A hill named Ka Iwi o Pele (the bones of Pele) stands where the battle was held and where Pele’s bones are said to remain.

With the death of her human self, Pele’s spirit was free, and she became elevated to godly status. Her spirit then flew to the island of Hawai‘i where she finally found a permanent home in Halema‘uma‘u crater within the active volcano Kilauea on the flank of Mauna Loa.   Even now when Pele’s lava flows to the ocean it is Nāmaka that cools the lava.

Nāmaka Algae comes from the sea and provides natural nutrients that our aquaculture livestock need to thrive.  Who better as a symbol for our company than the Hawai’ian Goddess of the Sea, Nāmakaokaha’i, the Goddess of the Sea and Giver of Life.

Námaka Algae pays respects to those who first inhabited this place

Nāmaka Algae acknowledges Hawaiʻi as an indigenous land, originally inhabited by the Native Hawai’ians (Kanaka Maoli). The ʻāina where we live and work is situated in the ahupuaʻa of Kalaoa. We honor the fact that Queen Liliʻuokalani, under duress and protest, ceded the Hawai’ian Kingdom and its territories to the United States to prevent bloodshed among her people. We also recognize that generations of Indigenous Hawai’ians, through their knowledge and practices, have sustainably shaped Hawaiʻi, allowing us to benefit from its resources today.