Three Winners Announced for the Mahi’ai Match-Up Agricultural Business Contest

December 26, 2013

Contributed by Pakalani Bello

"Congratulations to the top three finalists and thanks to all 148 applicants for their time, dedication and commitment to support Hawai‘i's sustainable food movement," said KS' director of strategic initiatives, Kaeo Duarte. "We hope this contest will attract more farmers who are passionate about growing food for Hawai‘i and stimulating the local agricultural industry."

Prior to the gala, finalists will present their innovative business plans to vie for the $25,000 first place prize, $15,000 for second and $10,000 for third place. Responsible for evaluating the plans are five judges representing a cross-section of Hawai‘i's agricultural, restaurant, retail and sustainable business communities. The judges include Kamehameha Schools' CEO Dee Jay Mailer, Ed Kenney of Town restaurant, Kyle Datta of Ulupono Initiative, Hamakua Springs Country Farms' Richard Ha and Toby Taniguchi of KTA Super Stores.

The three winners are:

• Holoholo General Store — Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) business producing vegetables in the cabbage family such as kale, broccoli rabe, and broccoli. Specialty fruit trees, mainly fig trees, will also be a part of the 6-acre Pa‘ala‘a, O‘ahu farm.

• Kāunamāno Farms — Organic Berkshire piggery located on 9.5 acres in Pāhoehoe, Hawai‘i that will implement a systems-based approach similar to Japanese methods of raising pigs.

• Mapulehu Farms — Organic mango farm offering agri-cultural farm tours to teach the community about Hawaiian-based farming practices and traditional varieties native to Mapulehu, Moloka‘i. Coconut, banana, taro, and sweet potato will also be added to the 43-acre mango orchard.

"We are so pleased with the support and excitement surrounding the first annual Mahi‘ai Match-Up contest," said Keawe Liu, executive director of Ke Ali‘i Pauahi Foundation. "We invite the community to celebrate agriculture in Hawai‘i with us as we honor some of the newest and brightest farming ideas while raising funds for new agricultural scholarships and grants."

The fundraising gala — complete with local chef stations, entertainment and auction — will be held on February 22, 2014 at the Dole Cannery's Pomaika‘i Ballrooms. Join sponsor Ulupono Initiative and support agriculture and food production for Hawai‘i's market.

For more information about the contest, the Pauahi Foundation's fundraiser gala and Kamehameha Schools' Strategic Agricultural Plan, visit www.pauahi.org/mahiaimatchup.

ABOUT KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS
Kamehameha Schools is a private, educational, charitable trust founded and endowed by the legacy of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop. Kamehameha Schools operates a statewide educational system enrolling over 6,900 students of Hawaiian ancestry at K-12 campuses on O‘ahu, Maui and Hawai‘i and 30 preschool sites statewide. Over 40,400 additional Hawaiian learners and caregivers are served each year through a range of other Kamehameha Schools' outreach programs, community collaborations and financial aid opportunities in Hawai‘i and across the continental United States. Income generated from its Hawai‘i real estate, as well as diverse investments, fund the Schools' educational mission almost entirely.

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.