Farmers and entrepreneurs to compete for agricultural land and money

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - The Mahi'ai Match-Up Agricultural Business Plan contest is a venue for Hawai?i's talented farmers and entrepreneurs to compete for some of Kamehameha Schools' (KS) most valuable agricultural land, and start-up seed money from the Pauahi Foundation (PF), to help increase long-term changes of a sustainable success.

To support Hawai'i's sustainable food movement, Kamehameha Schools is engaged in an ongoing effort to find talented farmers to lease its agricultural lands as well educate and grow a new generation of farmers. With over 80 percent of our food being imported, Kamehameha Schools has teamed up with its very own Pauahi Foundation to support local agriculture and sustainability in Hawai?i.

Coined Mahi'ai Match-Up, the contest provides a venue for farmers to compete for access to, and leasehold interest in, some of Kamehameha Schools' most valuable agricultural lands. Kamehameha Schools has identified two parcels of land on the islands of O?ahu and Hawai?i Island: Punalu?u, located on the North Shore of O?ahu, which is 5.8 acres, and  Pahoehoe, located on the Hamakua Coast of Hawai?i Island, which is 9.5 acres. Winning plans will receive an agricultural lease (with up to five years of waived lease rent) from Kamehameha Schools and seed money from the Pauahi Foundation to help increase long-term chances of sustainable success.  First place receives $20,000 and second place receives $15,000.

The Pauahi Foundation is focused on developing partnerships with organizations that help to further Kamehameha Schools' mission and its commitment to support the local agricultural industry and food sustainability in Hawai?i.   All proceeds support local agriculture. Financial support of Mahi`ai Match-Up supports local agriculture, agricultural grants and scholarships and increases food production on KS lands.

For more information, visit www.pauahi.org.

Copyright 2016.  Hawaii News Now.  All Rights Reserved.