We recently completed an interview with Hembra Genetics Collection as their featured breeder for the month of April (2020). We were able to share a little about how 808 Genetics got started and what our goals are as a company.
808 Genetics is a family owned and operated company, and we love what we do
Question 1: In a few sentences, can you tell us where and when you got your start?
808 Genetics was founded in 2014 on the island of Kauai, Hawaii. @supakauai is a 2nd generation cannabis farmer who started helping his dad in the garden when he was young, and is certified in KNF (2016) by Master Cho from the Big Island. We are family owned and operated and love what we do.
Question 2: What was the first strain you ever grew? Was it a clone or from seed?
Hawaiian Hash Plant. Seed.
Question 3: What strains are you most known for?
Crippy and Haole Girl
Question 4: What motivates you as a breeder and grower?
Hearing positive feedback from others and the search to find something new from seed.
Question 5: When you approach a new breeding project, what are the top three things you are looking for?
- Taking something that I already like and crossing it with something else I like and think will complement each other to create something new, unique, and good.
- We select varieties that do well in greenhouses as we believe strains that are bred indoor-only won’t do well outside and we want our strains to do well in both environments.
- We look for varieties that help medicinally; high cannabinoid content, nice terpene profile, and something that keeps us coming back over and over again.
Question 6: Do you have any special projects in the works you’d be willing to share with us?
We are currently doing a collaboration with @GageGreenGroup using their High School Sweetheart and Prominence. We also just crossed a Donny Burger male to our favorite females that are almost ready for release (end of April).
Question 7: Who inspires you in the cannabis industry? Who did you look up to when you first got started?
Patients inspire us. The support and love they show is amazing. We care about each and every person that we help and started breeding because we felt we could create strains that would benefit the community and progress the plant.
Question 8: Do you have any advice for new breeders/growers/producers? What do you wish someone had told you when you first started?
To not worry about the negativity from other breeders, that’s just a compliment. To stay focused and make what you like. If you love what you do and you do it well, your hard work will pay off one day.
Question 9: What do you consider to be one of your greatest accomplishments or successes?
My wife and kids. Creating a business with my wife that supports my family and allows me to do what I love.
Question 10: What is something you would like to go back and change or do differently?
Nothing. Everything has made me who I am and brought me to where I am.
Question 11: Do you have any breeding/growing tips you’d like to share?
Make sure to properly stress test your males. Don’t pollinate too early into the flower cycle. And breed for the love of the plant.
Question 12: Do you have a “fun fact” about you or your work?
Fun Fact: I’ve been growing cannabis for most of my life and haven’t ever had a vacation because of the desire to keep my strains alive and thriving.
Question 13: What’s your favorite part about breeding/growing cannabis?
Seeing the outcome of a phenohunt after selecting a male. I love to make new varieties that have the potential to become my new favorite strain.
Question 14: Is there anything else you would like to tell us about yourself and your work?
I am super selective about the strains I choose to grow, work with, and breed. I don’t create anything I wouldn’t want to keep for myself and believe in quality over quantity. Our goal is to spread love and aloha in everything we do.
Question 15: How can people contact you (website/social media/email/etc.)?
Follow us on Instagram or Twitter, visit our website (808genetics.com), or email us (808genetics@protonmail.com). We’d love to hear from you and are happy to help answer any questions you may have. Aloha!
