About Us

'Blue Habu Trade Group' is a veteran owned business that was established in 2016, after dreaming of starting an import/export business “someday”. Having a strong interest in the alcoholic beverage industry, obtaining a retail license became a top priority. In 2016 we hit the ground running. 

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Fast forward to 2019, cigar import and sales were added to the portfolio. Blue Habu selects high-quality products for import and offers retail and wholesale operations.

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Why “Blue Habu”? I hear this often so let me take a few minutes to explain where it comes from. ‘Habu’ is a term for a pit viper that is indigenous to the Ryukyu Islands. It is feared yet respected at the same time. The habu has a long history in Okinawa and is a staple of the local culture. There is also a “snake wine” known as habu-shu (aka habu sake) that is quite popular among tourists who visit the islands. Thus, “Blue Habu” is an identity that stuck out the most when deciding on a business name.

 

In the logo shown below, note that the snake is gripping a jar. This is actually a jar of awamori, which is known to be Japan’s oldest spirit. Like the habu, awamori is also indigenous to Okinawa. Blue Habu is intended to be a catchy and recognizable name, especially for those who are familiar with Okinawan culture. For those who are less familiar, it is our goal to share some of the knowledge that we have gained while living here. It is indeed one of several reasons for creating this website and blog. Let us know how we can best serve you.