Mahi’ai Match-Up Agricultural Business Plan Contest Unveiled

May 15, 2013

Contributed by ksinfo

"The Mahi'ai Match-up agricultural business plan contest will provide a fun, competitive venue for talented farmers and entrepreneurs to compete for access to, and leasehold interest in, some of Kamehameha Schools' most valuable agricultural lands," said Thomas Kaeo Duarte, KS' director of strategic initiatives.

With stewardship for roughly 90,000 acres of optimal agricultural land statewide, Kamehameha Schools began implementation of its strategic agricultural plan three years ago. Since then, KS has invested millions of dollars towards infrastructure improvements such as roads, irrigation, fencing, and security gates in areas such as Kawailoa Plantation and Punalu'u Ahupua'a Farms on O'ahu's North Shore and Pāhoehoe, Hilo in order to prepare its priority agricultural areas for the success of new farmers.

"Mahi'ai Match-up is an exciting way for Ke Ali'i Pauahi Foundation and Kamehameha Schools to partner with other generous supporters of the sustainable agricultural movement in Hawai'i, such as the Ulupono Initiative, to move our community closer to food security," said Keawe Liu, Ke Ali'i Pauahi Foundation's executive director. "We look forward to being able to extend our reach and benefit the entire state of Hawai'i by providing agricultural scholarships and grants."

All farmers, entrepreneurs, aspiring farmers or anyone with a fresh, innovative idea are encouraged to submit their initial business plan proposal by July 1, 2013. A first round selection will be made by August 1, 2013 at which time finalists have three months to develop their comprehensive agricultural business plan. Winners will be announced in February 2014 at an awards gala. To apply for Mahi'ai Match-up or for more information, visit www.pauahi.org/mahiaimatchup.

ABOUT KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS' AGRICULTURAL INITIATIVE
Kamehameha's Strategic Agricultural Plan, completed in 2009, lays a vision and strategy for management and use of Kamehameha's 181,373 acres zoned for agriculture. Through the plan, Kamehameha is committed to: increasing market share of locally-grown produce, meat and other food products; investing in agricultural support facilities and infrastructure like irrigation systems; restoring and revitalizing traditional agricultural systems like lo'i, loko i'a, and dryland field systems; and contributing to a sustainable, clean energy future by supporting projects like solar and wind energy.

ABOUT KE ALI'I PAUAHI FOUNDATION
The mission of Ke Ali'i Pauahi Foundation is to support the mission of Kamehameha Schools by seeking and developing new and diverse sources of income to support the ever-increasing educational needs and goals of people of Hawaiian ancestry. The Foundation accomplishes its mission in a number of ways including alumni support, endowed scholarships, early childhood education and literacy, charter school support, land stewardship, and advancing the Hawaiian language.

Winners of the Mahi'ai Match-up contest will receive an agricultural lease with up to five years of waived rent from KS and a cash prize from KAPF to help make their business plan a reality.