About Us

Papaya’s Passion is to help you become a better you…
for yourself, your community and your planet

We believe in gratitude, growth, & choices

We believe there are no right answers, no perfect diet, perfect food, or perfect person

We believe in individuals and the uniqueness of each other.

We believe community is essential and that we all have something to contribute

We believe everyone deserves good health

We are here for you!

Eli, Jessica, Sequoia & Zeb

Our Story

1991

Papaya’s opened in Kauai Village

May 1998

Leech family relocates to Kauai and buys Papaya’s Natural Foods

1999

1st Anniversary Celebrated

Papaya's Wheel

2000

The Wheel

2001

Kaua’i

2002

First expansion for more vitamins & produce

Papaya's Natural Foods & Cafe in Hanalei

Sept 2004

Opened second location on the North Shore

2006

Second expansion for more vitamins & produce

2008

10th year Anniversary

2010

Papaya’s named Retailer of the Year

2010

Sold second location to partners

2011

Became a Non GMO project sponsor

2012 Taste of Hawaii, Sequoia

2012

Supporting The Kapa’a Rotary at Taste of Hawaii for another year

2013

Joined INFRA

2013

4th Annual Community Appreciation Day

    2014

    5th Annual Community Appreciation Day

      2015

      Rebranded

      2016

      Construction of new store

      Feb 2017

      Moved to our current location on Kuhio Hwy

      “Thank You…for helping us become…even better!”

      Awards from Best of Kauai 

      “Owning Papaya’s has allowed me to help people discover new ways of eating or preparing foods they have no experience with. One of my favorite customers is one that has never stepped inside a natural food store, but they have eliminated something from their diet for health, environmental or ethical reasons and they don’t know where to turn. We show them that you can make small changes without sacrificing everything you are used to.”

      – Jessica Leech
      Owner of Papaya’s Natural Foods

      Non GMO Logo
      Yelp Logo
      Independent Natural Food Retailers
      Tripadvisor
      Best of Kauai