NEWS RELEASE

One week left to submit applications for the Mahi‘ai Match-Up Agricultural Business Plan Contest

Mahiʻai Match-Up is open to all farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural entrepreneurs with dynamic ideas are encouraged to submit an application by the deadline of February 29.

In one week, Kamehameha Schools and the Pauahi Foundation will close the application period for the 2016 Mahi‘ai Match-Up – an agricultural business plan contest dedicated to finding farmers to grow food, and decrease the state’s dependence on imports. Teams are asked to complete a short application by Monday, February 29, 2016.

Two winning teams will receive an agricultural land agreement for up to five years of waived rent from Kamehameha Schools and a prize pool totaling $35,000 in start -up money from the Pauahi Foundation to help increase the probability of long-term, sustainable success.

“Our past Mahi‘ai Match-Up winners continue to grow and carry forward what they’ve set out to accomplish,” said Sydney Keli‘ipule‘ole, senior director of statewide operations for Kamehameha Schools. “Last year’s winner, Māla Kalu‘ulu have completed phase one of their land development management plan. Their 3.7-acre parcel located in Ke‘ei is fully planted with more than 100 mature ‘ulu (breadfruit) trees, coffee,  and over 150 various fruit trees such as lychee, avocado, newly planted mountain apple and ‘olena.”

Contest sponsors Hawaii Farm & Food Magazine and Ulupono Initiative – a Hawai‘i-focused impact investing firm –  are excited for what Mahi‘ai Match-Up can do for Hawai‘i’s food sovereignty movement.

“We are pleased to continue supporting Mahi‘ai Match-Up for its third consecutive year helping to grow Hawai‘i’s agricultural industry,” said Murray Clay, managing partner of Ulupono Initiative. “Connecting enthusiastic, visionary farmers with local agricultural land and access to capital is integral to achieving Ulupono’s goal of making Hawai‘i more self-sufficient.”

The contest is open to all farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural entrepreneurs with dynamic ideas are encouraged to submit an application by the deadline of February 29.

2016 Mahi‘ai Match-Up contest parcels:

• Pa‘ala‘a – North Shore, O‘ahu – 3.25 acres
• Pāhoehoe- Hāmākua Coast, Hawai‘i island – 9.5 acres

For the next five-weeks, Kamehameha Schools and the Pauahi Foundation will review the applications and select teams to advance. The teams will then attend a business planning workshop led by Hi‘ilei Aloha – a non-profit dedicated to identify, promote, develop, and support culturally-appropriate, sustainable opportunities. Teams will have seven-weeks to further develop and submit their business plans for review.

Important Mahi‘ai Match-Up dates:
February 29, 2016 – Applications due
April 1, 2016 – First round finalists notified
May 20, 2016  – Business plans due
Mid-June 2016 – Finalists notified
July 2016 – Presentation to judges
July 2016 – Winners announced
July 30, 2016 – Prize placings announced at Mahi‘ai Match-Up Gala

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