WAILEA, Hawaii -- A Hawaii company is starting the state's first large-scale commercial maile farm on the slopes of Mauna Kea.

Most of the maile used to make leis in the islands comes from outside Hawaii.

By some estimates, 90 to 95 percent of the commercially sold maile in Hawaii is grown in Tonga or the Cook Islands.

Oahu-based Alii Pauahi Hawaiian Civic Club is starting the Big Island farm called "Ka Mahi'ai 'Ihi o Wailea" or "The sacred farm of Wailea."

The first harvest is expected between 10 months to a year from now. Farm manager Mamo Lundin says 10,000 maile plants will be harvested in the first year.

The farm will create 20 jobs and is expected to have a customer base of 25,000.

It will also grow koai'a, which is a subspecies of koa.

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Information from: Hawaii Tribune-Herald, http://www.hilohawaiitribune.com