NEWS RELEASE

Kamehameha Schools and the Pauahi Foundation announce the return of Mahiʻai Match-Up

Mahiʻai Match-Up - Application window starts today! Apply by Feb. 29th.

Kamehameha Schools and the Pauahi Foundation announce the return of Mahi‘ai Match-Up – an agricultural business plan contest dedicated to supporting Hawai‘i’s sustainable food movement and decreasing the state’s dependence on imports.  All farmers, ranchers, entrepreneurs, or aspiring farmers with fresh, innovative ideas are welcome to enter. The application window opens today and ends Feb. 29, 2016.

“Mahi‘ai Match-Up provides a venue for farmers and entrepreneurs to access some of our most valuable agricultural lands,” said Sydney Keli‘ipule‘ole, 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 Hawai‘i’s market.”

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.

"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 Hawai‘i," said Murray Clay, managing partner of Ulupono Initiative. "The goal of Mahi‘ai Match-Up directly aligns with our mission of making Hawai‘i 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."

This year the program provides more opportunities for aspiring farmers with the introduction of Mahi‘ai Mentorship – a competition created through a partnership between the schools and GoFarm Hawai‘i 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 Hawai‘i, 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 Mahi‘ai Mentorship will be available March 1, 2016.

Other event partners include the Hawai‘i Farm Bureau’s Hawai‘i Farm and Food Magazine and local impact investment firm Ulupono Initiative.

To apply for the Mahi‘ai Match-Up contest or for more information, visit www.pauahi.org/mahiaimatchup.

2016 Mahi‘ai Match-Up Parcels

Pa‘ala‘a, O‘ahu – 3.25 acres
Pāhoehoe, Hawai‘i Island – 9.5 acres