How Mailelani is Turning Coconuts into Global Success

The sweet scent of moso'oi (ylang-ylang) and rich cocoa butter hangs in the air as Sylvie Salanoa carefully inspects a fresh batch of coconut oil soap at her Mailelani Samoa Body Care gift shop outside Apia, Samoa. It's a far cry from the humble beginnings 25 years ago when she and her husband Kitiona first dreamed of creating soap from Samoan coconuts in their family kitchen.

"We started with one simple question," Sylvie recalls, her hands holding a bar of their signature frangipani-scented soap. "How can we share the true essence of Samoa with the world?"

Today, that question has blossomed into a thriving business with eight varieties of artisan soaps, luxurious body oils, exfoliating scrubs, and their newest triumph -- a premium facial care line launched in early 2024 with support from the PACER Plus Agreement.

From Kitchen Experiments to International Shelves

The journey wasn't without its challenges. "Oh, we wanted to give up many times!" Sylvie laughs. Early batches didn't set properly. Supply chains were unpredictable. Export regulations seemed impossible to navigate. But through perseverance and community support, what began as a cottage industry now supplies retailers across Samoa, Australia, New Zealand and beyond.

Each product tells a distinctly Samoan story. The cocoa range pays homage to the islands' national drink. The delicate frangipani line celebrates the flower Samoan women traditionally wear behind their ears. The moso'oi captures the islands' signature fragrance.

"What makes Mailelani special is that we're not just making products -- we're preserving culture," Sylvie explains. "When someone uses our cocoa body butter, we want them to feel connected to Samoa's rich traditions."

Rooted in Community, Growing Through Trade

The business model is as sustainable as their ingredients. Mailelani sources raw materials from rural villages across Samoa, creating economic opportunities while maintaining authentic island recipes. This community-focused approach caught the attention of the PACER Plus Implementation Unit (PPIU).

"Mailelani represents exactly what PACER Plus was designed to support," says Alipate Tavo, PPIU Trade Adviser. "By assisting with their packaging clearance costs, we're helping a homegrown business scale up while maintaining its cultural integrity. Their success shows how regional trade agreements can empower Pacific entrepreneurs to compete globally without compromising local values."

For Sylvie, the PACER Plus support came at the perfect moment. "That new facial line was our dream for years, but the import costs for proper packaging seemed impossible. When PACER Plus stepped in, it was like the universe saying 'keep going'."

The Sweet Smell of Success

While setting up her products, Sylvie reflects on the unexpected rewards of their quarter-century journey. "The creativity we've discovered, the people we've met, the places our little soaps have traveled -- it's more than we ever imagined."

She gently places a newly wrapped moso'oi soap into a gift box, ready for its journey to a boutique in Auckland. "Every time someone opens one of our products, they're experiencing a piece of Samoa. That makes every challenge worthwhile."

With their expanded product line and growing international presence, Mailelani Samoa Body Care continues to prove that traditional wisdom and modern entrepreneurship can create something truly beautiful. Or as Sylvie puts it: "We're not just selling soap -- we're sharing alofa (love) from our islands to the world."

Mailelani Samoa Body Care products are available at select retailers in Samoa and online by clicking here.

Did You Know?

• Mailelani means "from heaven" in Samoan.
• All products are made with sustainably sourced local ingredients.
• The business supports dozens of rural Samoan families through its supply chain.

-ENDS-

To download the high-resolution images, click here, here, and here.