Mahi‘ai Scale-up launches: Partnership helps local farmers, food distributors grow businesses

Dana Shapiro of Mala Kalu‘ulu, left, and Brandon Lee of Kaunamano Farm represent the winners of the 2017 Mahi‘ai Scale-up competition. Both farms are located on Hawaii island. (Kamehameha Schools/Special to West Hawaii Today)

Kamehameha Schools has launched Mahi‘ai Scale-up, an agricultural business plan competition that helps established local farms and food system organizations grow their businesses. The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement and The Kohala Center are partnering with Kamehameha Schools to provide participants with business training and wraparound services.