Kamehameha Schools and Ke Ali‘i Pauahi Foundation revealed the first, second and third place winners of the Mahi‘ai Match-Up agricultural business plan contest at a February 22 fundraising gala at Dole Cannery’s Pōmaika‘i Ballrooms.
The first-ever contest is aimed at increasing the state’s food production and decreasing its dependency on imported foods, one of the goals of KS’ Strategic Agricultural Plan. Winning teams were awarded an agricultural lease from KS with five years of waived rent, and seed money from the Foundation to help grow their businesses.
The contest attracted 148 experienced farmers with innovative ideas to grow food on vacant KS agricultural land. The $70,000 in proceeds raised by the gala will go toward the creation of agricultural scholarships to help cultivate a new generation of local farmers.
Congratulations to the 2014 Mahi‘ai Match-Up winners:
Holoholo General Store
First Place – $25,000
This community-supported agriculture business will use its winnings to expand its organic produce delivery service and will continue to grow vegetables including kale, broccoli rabe, and broccoli. Fig and other specialty fruit trees will also be part of its six-acre Pa‘ala‘a, O‘ahu farm.
Kaunāmano Farms
Second Place – $15,000
This Hawaiʻi island business will use its seed money to raise organic Berkshire pigs on 9.5 acres of farmland in Pāhoehoe, Hawai’i.
Mapulehu Farms
Third Place – $10,000
This organic mango farm will continue to offer agricultural tours to teach the community about Hawaiian-based farming practices and varieties of native mangos. The farm will also begin to harvest coconuts, bananas, taro, and sweet potatoes on its 43-acre orchard in Mapulehu, Molokaʻi.
“We associate food with culture and traditions that bind us together as a community,” said Keawe Liu, executive director of Ke Ali‘i Pauahi Foundation.
“The need to partner with others to increase local food production for a sustainable Hawai‘i is essential. What better way to support this idea than by supporting local farmers, whose caring hands work to produce the foods that bring us together.” The foundation is hoping to make the fundraiser an annual event.
The farm finalists were required to present their agricultural business plans in front of contest judges. The quality of their oral presentations helped determine the amount of seed money each would receive.
Judges include KS chief executive officer Dee Jay Mailer, Town restaurant owner and sustainable cuisine advocate Ed Kenney, Ulupono Initiative founding partner Kyle Datta, Hamakua Springs Country Farms president Richard Ha, and KTA Super Stores executive vice president Toby Taniguchi.
For more information regarding Kamehameha Schools partnering with others for a sustainable Hawai’i, visit the KS Land Assets Division website. View more photos of the event in the KSOnline Snapshots section.
Photos by KS graphic and web designer Larry Racoma.
The need to partner with others to increase local food production for a sustainable Hawai‘i is essential. What better way to support this idea than by supporting local farmers, whose caring hands work to produce the foods that bring us together.
Keawe Liu, Ke Ali‘i Pauahi Foundation executive director
Second place winner Kaunāmano Farms won $15,000 and five years of waived rent. Above: Keawe Liu, Brandon Lee, Max Bowman and Kaeo Duarte.
Third place winner Mapulehu Farms won $10,000 and five years of waived rent. Above: Keawe Liu, Ane Bakutis, Adolph Helm, Kekama Helm, Corene Helm, the Helm keiki and Kaeo Duarte.
CEO Dee Jay Mailer, former KS Land Assets manager Kawika Burgess, KSK kumu Mariane Hannahs and hubby KS Land Assets Director Neil Hannahs show their support for sustainable agriculture.
Town restaurant owner and sustainable cuisine advocate Ed Kenney and son Duke serve up some ono pūpū. Kenney also served as one of the contest judges.
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