Kamehameha Schools is partnering with the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement and The Kohala Center to strengthen Hawaii’s food system through Mahi‘ai Match-Up, a business plan competition that provides food-focused entrepreneurs from across the pae ‘aina with an opportunity to farm agricultural land or develop a business in a commercial space.
Mahi‘ai Match-Up is accepting applications beginning from farmers and agricultural food producers interested in entering the competition through Dec. 10. As part of the contest, Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement’s KuHana 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 KuHana 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 Kapalama Kai, Oahu. Winners will also receive start-up capital. The application window closes on Dec. 10.
“Our KuHana 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 lahui,” said CNHA Chief Executive Officer Kuhio Lewis. “We are proud to partner again to broaden our reach and impact in the food systems economy.”
Top business plans from the KuHana cohort will become finalists to compete for Mahi‘ai Match-Up awards from KS. The Kohala Center 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. Mahi‘ai Match-Up supports start-up local farming and food production ventures. While uplifting agricultural education and innovative solutions to improve Hawaii’s food security, the effort also bolsters KS’ ability to deliver on its core educational mission while driving the success of its tenants.
“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 Ka‘eo Duarte, vice president of Kamehameha Schools’ Community and ‘Aina Resiliency. “Our hope is that the Mahi‘ai Match-Up competition will support our lahui through the production of more healthy, accessible and ‘ono food. Strengthening the businesses feeding our communities creates jobs that support our keiki and familes across Hawaii. We are proud to continue our work with CNHA and TKC to continue to grow food systems entrepreneurs and ‘oiwi leaders.”
Mana ‘Olena, a family-owned business which is growing ‘olena (tumeric) and ‘ulu (breadfruit), won the 2020 Mahi‘ai 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.
Last year, the effort worked with 24 food systems entrepreneurs and awarded $135,000 directly to businesses. 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.
