Kamehameha Schools, Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement and The Kohala
Center collaborate in new Mahi‘ai Match-Up to build resilient economies
Farmers and food system entrepreneurs have the opportunity to grow their
business skills, complete a business plan and compete for agricultural land,
commercial space agreements.
HONOLULU (Nov. 4, 2021) – Kamehameha Schools (KS) is partnering with the
Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA) and The Kohala Center (TKC)
to strengthen Hawai‘i’s food system through Mahi‘ai Match-Up, a business
plan competition that provides food-focused entrepreneurs from across the
pae ‘āina with an opportunity to farm agricultural land or develop a
business in a commercial space.
Mahiʻai Match-Up is accepting applications beginning today from farmers and
agricultural food producers interested in entering the competition. As part
of the contest, CNHA’s KūHana program will provide applicants with classes
and guidance on developing business plans, pitching their business plans and
ongoing mentorship support, technical assistance and networking
opportunities.
Interested food systems entrepreneurs can apply both through CNHA's KūHana
at www.hawaiiancouncil.org/kuhana or through KS’ Mahi‘ai Match-Up at www.ksbe.edu/mahiai/mahiai_matchup/. The competition awards include an
agricultural land agreement on a KS parcel and, for the first time this
year, an agreement on a KS commercial property within Kapālama Kai, Oʻahu.
Winners will also receive start-up capital. The application window closes on
Dec. 10.
CNHA’s KūHana program is excited to open its sixth KūHana cohort with this
collaboration. "Our KūHana program is designed to meet businesses during
their development stages and to identify the best ways to support their
growth. And within the cohort, the participating businesses network and
support one another to work towards the collective goal of raising the
lāhui," said CNHA Chief Executive Officer Kūhiō Lewis. "We are proud to
partner again to broaden our reach and impact in the food systems economy."
Top business plans from the KūHana cohort will become finalists to compete
for Mahi‘ai Match-Up awards from KS. TKC will utilize its expertise to coach
the finalists with final business planning preparation and continued
business support services beyond the program. This partnership builds upon
previous collaborations to grow local food and economic security.
This is the eighth year that KS has supported agricultural and food systems
business plan competitions. Mahiʻai Match-Up supports start-up local farming
and food production ventures. While uplifting agricultural education and
innovative solutions to improve Hawaiʻi's food security, the effort also
bolsters KS' ability to deliver on its core educational mission while
driving the success of its tenants.
Mahi‘ai Match-Up is part of KS’ efforts toward growing Hawai‘i’s food
systems – increasing the productivity and resiliency of agricultural-related
businesses on KS ‘āina and building our campuses’ and consumer interest in
locally grown foods and services. Environmentally and economically
sustainable food production is a meaningful component of the Hawaiian
culture, a diversified economy, and overall well-being of Hawai‘i’s people.
"The success of our farmers and small businesses supports the overall
growth of agriculture and food industries, which are critical to a thriving
community,” said Kā‘eo Duarte, vice president of Kamehameha Schools'
Community & ʻĀina Resiliency. “Our hope is that the Mahiʻai Match-Up
competition will support our lāhui through the production of more healthy,
accessible and ʻono food. Strengthening the businesses feeding our
communities creates jobs that support our keiki and familes across Hawaiʻi.
We are proud to continue our work with CNHA and TKC to continue to grow food
systems entrepreneurs and ʻōiwi leaders.”
Mana ʻŌlena, a family-owned business which is growing ʻōlena (tumeric) and
ʻulu (breadfruit), won the 2020 Mahiʻai Match-Up competition and received a
$10,000 cash prize from Ulupono Initiative, waived rent for five years on KS
land in Hilo, and wrap-around business support services from TKC.
CNHA, KS and THC collaborated last year to uplift 24 food systems
entrepreneurs and award $135,000 directly to businesses. These
collaborations are a part of KS' food systems initiative that aims to grow
healthy and accessible food in Hawaiʻi to feed Hawaiʻi and beyond. KS
stewards more than 181,000 acres of agricultural lands. These lands produce
approximately 19 million pounds of food annually.
To learn more about Kamehameha Schools' food systems and agricultural
initiatives, visit www.ksbe.edu/mahiai.