Ku’ulei Flower Farm – “Being Hawaiian, it’s all about the storytelling.”

Ku’ulei Flower Farm – “Being Hawaiian, it’s all about the storytelling.”

Back in 1967, having just adopted their first baby, Barbara Roloff’s parents committed to a remarkable, multicultural life that would build Barbara into the World Citizen that she is today. Thanks to her Dad’s military service, who had previously served in South Africa for 11 years before getting married. Not being able to have their own children, the young family lived in Bellingham, San Diego, Alaska, back to Hawaii, and finally landed in Eugene for 16 years. “Being adopted, growing up with white parents, I missed out on my Hawaiian roots. In the late 1990’s, I enrolled in graduate school in Hawaii to immerse myself in my culture, and it was the best thing I could do.”  

During that time, Barbara was able to reconnect with her family, “I remember the entire Miloli`i village coming out to meet me. I have many siblings, aunties and uncles, grandmas and grandpas, cousins, and so many other family members. My Tutu, Kapela, was so happy to meet me; she sang me a Hawaiian song on the ukelele and shared her story with me.” To no one’s surprise, Barbara and her father are direct descendants of the Royal Ali'i (chiefs) bloodline, tracing back to the Kamehameha III lineage. On Barbara’s maternal side, her grandmother, her Tutu, was “one of the first homesteaders of Hawaiian land on the island of Oahu.” It was Kapela on her birthfather’s side that gave Barbara her Hawaiian name: Ku’ulei, which has many meanings but loosely translates to sweet and beautiful wreath of flowers or wreath of love; it feels destined that Barbara would carry on her grandmother’s legacy homesteading and planting roots here in Milton-Freewater. “My ohana, my family, helped me understand my lineage as well as who I am as a Native Hawaiian even if I didn’t grow up there.”

In 2001, Barbara had met and married “the perfect guy” for her, Sean Roloff, who grew up in Milton-Freewater and has a background in horticulture, landscape, and design. He convinced her to give Milton-Freewater a try for a year and “see how it goes- and the rest is history.” Upon arrival, Barbara immediately landed a job working for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) developing their first financial credit and home ownership program, for which CTUIR garnered national recognition. She ended up being their Housing Director too, but after several years of that work, Barbara and her colleagues formed a national consulting firm called Seven Sisters Community Development Group- which does professional and community development with nonprofits and indigenous communities across North America. “Hawaiians and Native Americans have a lot of similarities and needs.”

Coincidentally, by the time the Pandemic had hit, Barbara had already signed up for a Floret Flower Class. “I always wanted a garden, but I was always moving. I love flowers and fell in love with the flower leis and tropical flowers in Hawaii. Our neighbors had a beautiful garden, and I would visit Bob and Nadine next door to us, and Nadine was always working in her garden. It was unexpected that we would end up buying their home and to reimagine growing flowers. I know Nadine is smiling down at us right now.” Meanwhile, Sean and Barbara were relishing having her home: “It caused us to stop and realize what’s important. We looked at each other and I said, ‘I want a flower farm.’ And Sean, who is the expert in the farming endeavor, said, ‘let’s make it happen.’ I just wanted to throw wildflower seeds in the garden, but Sean wanted it to be more formal.” So, their first year, Sean and Barbara laid out roses, lavender a few cosmos, gladiolus, zinnias, and dahlias; to their surprise, “a lot of things grew and it was very successful!” In 2022, while they learned what would grow, Sean expanded the garden and Barbara started showcasing her flowers and wholesaling, acquiring several important clients along the way. In 2023, “things really took off.” Barbara started attending Farmer’s Markets and added Mongata Winery and Kelly’s Restaurant to her list of happy customers! “From there, people started calling me and asking for flower arrangements; I’d like to do more bouquets because that is my creative outlet, but I also love hearing people’s stories and bringing joy to people’s faces.”

Today, Ku’ulei Flower Farm blooms in rolling waves with new and exotic flowers on an almost weekly basis!  (Ask Barb how many varieties she has planted). As for the future, Barbara, not yet retired, would love a brick-and-mortar location that leans into her “roots”. She wants a shop with bouquets from her garden, and pottery, jewelry, and bags from indigenous and Hawaiian artists. “Being an indigenous grower, being Hawaiian, it’s all about the storytelling element.” Cheers to our very own sweet and beautiful wreath of love, Ku’ulei Flower Farm!

For more information about Ku’ulei Flower Farm, email Barbara Roloff at [email protected], call (541) 861-0809, or visit https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558716494723