Mālama Design Studio 2024 Cohort 2
Mālama Design Studio is a 9-month accelerator created to empower Native Hawaiian founders. Cohort 2 consists of mahiʻai, cultural practitioners, and professionals from various industries including for profit and non-profit entities. We look forward to the synergy and connections made across the pae ʻāina. Continue reading to meet the cohort!
Companies and
Non-profits by Island
Hawaiʻi Hui
The Lei Bar
Hilo, Hawaiʻi
Sunshine, owner of The Lei Bar, offers custom and bulk lei, arrangements, and workshops. She’s on a mission is to share traditional knowledge of lei culture using only seasonal and Hawaiʻi-grown florals and foliage. The Lei Bar is expanding to always grow their own pua.
Kahuwai
Puna, Hawaiʻi
Kahuwai is a non-profit located in Puna on the northeast rift of Kïlauea. It serves as a cultural and educational resource that holds the remains of more than 200 acres of native Hawaiian settlement. The village provides a stage to teach and practice Hawaiian culture.
ʻO Makuʻu Ke Kahua Community Center
Puna, Hawaiʻi
ʻOMKKCC hopes to provide agricultural, educational, and healing opportunities that promote a self-sustainable life for ʻohana and the collective. They aim to fulfill a critical need in the Puna community by continuing to be a permanent and safe foundation for foresting Native Hawaiian culture.
Maui Hui
Nohoʻana Farm
Waikapu, Maui
Nohoʻana Farm is a small family owned organic farm situated on 2 acres of kuleana land in Waikapū, Maui. The farm traditionally cultivates kalo through an ancient loʻi kalo agricultural system fed by the fresh waters of the Waikapū Stream as well as produces other Hawaiian food crops.
Laʻi Hauola
Lāhaina, Maui
Capturing community ‘ikepili to inform decision-making efforts to rebuild Lahaina. Laʻi Hauola is a hopes to visualize real-time community reflections. This newly formed 501(c)3 non-profit is looking to cross concerts with data collection committees.
Lahaina Community Land Trust
Lāhaina, Maui
A hui of dedicated professionals who have identified strategies to help preserve the character of the Lahaina community. We are experienced and educated kia’i, rooted to our island culture, organizing to protect and care for our lands.
Molokai Hui
All Things Molokai
Kaunakakai, Molokai
Your one-stop shop for All Things Molokai featuring locally made apparel, accessories, jewelry, souvenirs, food and more. The brick and mortar includes a custom design print shop and freshly made food with something for everyone.
Pualei Farm
Ho'olehua, Molokai
Pualei Farm is a family owned and operated homestead farm bringing access to Moloka’i grown and moloka’i sourced produce. Small in scale, their main focus includes microgreens, salanova lettuces, Asian greens, tomatoes, beans, and cilantro for their Molokai community.
Oʻahu Hui
Kino Konnections
Kāneʻohe, Oʻahu
Teaching kanaka the skill set of lomi to promote lokahi and ola in their ohana and kaiāulu. Kino Konnections offers lomi workshops centered around partners and their ʻohana. Real change starts within every ʻohana home. Kino Konnections also sees clients on a one-on-one basis.
Her Hands Create
Wahiawa, Oʻahu
HHC Bookkeeping’s focus is to declutter and assemble your business finances, elevating your ability to make sound and informed decisions. Their goal is to create a personalized plan that releases more time toward your creative genius. No shame in talking about finances with HHC.
Honi Hala
Mōʻiliʻili, Oʻahu
Honi Hala is a brand that speaks to the fragrance of Pu Hala, and aims to share ʻike ulana lau hala through workshops, woven goods, and weaving kits for the community. Some of their most popular items include woven hoop earrings and bralettes.
Puʻuhonua Mākeke
Waimānalo, Hawaiʻi
The Mākekeʻs mission is to boost ahupua’a economics. Emphasizing independent mindsets for the betterment of the kanaka, Puʻuhonua Mākeke as a business and market aims to promote malama ‘āina, Hawaiian culture/language, and sustainability.
Kauai Hui
Summer Foods
Waipouli, Kauai
Rolls, wraps, and bowls to help satisfy your healthy eating goals! Summer Foods is happy to offer yummy, beautiful, plant-based meals made on the Island of Kaua’i. Using local & organic ingredients we create an easy option to help satisfy your eating goals.
SBH Taro
Hanalei, Kauaʻi
Sierra Lynn Boro-Harada of SBH Taro Farms has two taro farms, one in Lumahaʻi Valley and the other in Hanalei Valley on the island of Kauaʻi. There has been a lot of restoration work to do since record breaking rains flooded the island’s north shore in April 2018.
Hui Makaʻāinana o Makana
Hāʻena, Kauaʻi
Hui Makaʻainana o Makana is a non-profit organization dedicated to perpetuating and teaching the skills, knowledge, and practices of our kūpuna (ancestors) through the interpretation, restoration, care, and protection of natural and cultural resources in Hāʻena, Kauaʻi.
