File photo courtesy Japengo.

Hawaiʻi Sea Spirits llc, makers of OCEAN Organic Vodka, is devoting some of its production to make hand sanitizer to help combat the spread of coronavirus.

The action follows statements from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization recommending the need to wash hands to keep from contracting or spreading the virus. As a result, hygiene products, specifically hand sanitizers, have been in high demand with many retailers selling out of inventory.

Master Distiller Bill Scott said, “the alcohol-based sanitizer that we are making conforms exactly to the recommendations from the World Health Organization and CDC. The commitment to quality that we have for our brands has been carried through to this sanitizer. We went to great lengths to source the correct grades of ingredients. The ethyl alcohol we made for this is actually certified organic. Our community is in need and we are trying to respond as best we can.”

Additional needs will be assessed to establish effective ways to help the larger community.  The effort is made possible in partnership with other local companies including: Maui Babe, Mokulele Airlines, the Maui Food Bank, and Ali‘i Kula Lavender.

Shay Smith – Founder and President of Hawaiʻi Sea Spirits said, “In times like these we see it as our responsibility to give back to the place that has given us so much opportunity. It’s our way of living and spreading the spirit of Aloha. We will get through this together.”

Hawaiʻi Sea Spirits anticipates providing the product at no charge to those in need and to others who are being affected by the shortage.