Kamehameha Schools and the Pauahi Foundation are seeking contenders for Mahiʻai Match-Up, an agricultural business plan contest dedicated to supporting Hawaiʻi’s sustainable food movement and decreasing the state’s dependence on imports. The contest entry deadline is Feb. 29, 2016.
Mahi‘ai means farmer. The contest is open to all farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural entrepreneurs. The top two business plans will receive an agricultural land agreement with up to five years of waived rent from Kamehameha Schools and seed monies from the Pauahi Foundation totaling $35,000 to help increase the probability of long-term, sustainable success.
“Mahiʻai Match-Up provides a venue for farmers and entrepreneurs to access some of our most valuable agricultural lands,” said Sydney Keliʻipuleʻole, senior director of statewide operations for Kamehameha Schools.
“Kamehameha Schools is engaged in an ongoing effort to work with community partners to find and nurture talented farmers with innovative ideas that will increase food production for Hawaiʻi’s market.”
Ulupono Initiative – the Hawai’i-focused impact investing firm – is once again lending its support to the business plan contest.
“Ulupono Initiative is proud to continue its partnership with Kamehameha Schools and Pauahi Foundation to assist talented farmers in realizing their dream of establishing a bona fide agricultural business in Hawaiʻi,” said Murray Clay, managing partner of Ulupono Initiative.
“The goal of Mahiʻai Match-Up directly aligns with our mission of making Hawaiʻi more self-sufficient by increasing local food production. The group of entrants from the first two years has been impressive, and we are excited to see what year three has in store.”
Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau’s “Hawaiʻi Food and Farm” magazine is also a sponsor of the contest.
Mahiʻai Mentorship
This year the program provides more opportunities for aspiring farmers with the introduction of Mahiʻai Mentorship, a competition created through a partnership between the Kamehameha Schools and GoFarm Hawaiʻi aimed at developing the next generation of farmers.
Four applicants will be chosen to receive funding from Pauahi Foundation and Kamehameha Schools to attend GoFarm Hawaiʻi, a program that turns the “AgCurious” into “AgProducers.”
Valued at $3,000, participants are given a combination of knowledge, experience, and support designed to assist them in becoming viable production growers, and accomplish it in a manner that encourages sustainability. Applications for Mahiʻai Mentorship will be accepted from March 1 through May 2, 2016
To apply for the Mahiʻai Match-Up contest or for more information, visit the Pauahi Foundation website.
Mahiʻai Match-Up
WHAT:
The Mahiʻai Match-Up agricultural business plan contest is dedicated to supporting Hawaiʻi’s sustainable food movement.
WHO:
The contest is open to farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural entrepreneurs. Winners will receive an agricultural land agreement with up to five years of waived rent from KS and a total of $35,000 in seed money from the Pauahi Foundation.
WHERE:
Mahiʻai Match-Up land parcels include 3.25 acres in Paʻalaʻa – on Oahu’s North Shore, and 9.5 acres in Pāhoehoe – on the Hāmākua Coast of Hawai‘i Island.
WHEN:
The contest entry deadline is Feb. 29, 2016
To register for the contest or for more information, visit the Pauahi Foundation website.
2015 second place winner Counter Culture is a seasonal seed-to-counter-top fermented foods producer.
2015 first place winner Malā Kaluʻulu grows ʻulu and ʻolena with a focus on holistic agricultural production, research and education.
Ulupono Initiative – the Hawai’i-focused impact investing firm – is once again lending its support to the contest.
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