KūHana – an ʻōiwi business accelerator. Our business accelerator guides you through a clear process: with your past operational and sales insights, you can outline the strategies to grow/scale your business, outline costs to implement, and project financial returns. By the end, you’ll have a solid business plan ready to present to the bank!
If you have any questions, please reach out to the program manager, Max Mukai, at kuhana@hawaiiancouncil.org
KūHana is looking to work with companies with the following preferred qualifications:
1. Established companies that have made significant progress with sales and operations
2. Seeking to acquire funding to grow their company
3. Operating within Hawaiʻi
KūHana helps local and Hawaiian-owned entrepreneurs in early to mid stages of development get clear on their business strategy by hosting an 5-week business plan development class with all the tools and technical assistance needed to create a plan. Their business plans help set up these companies to go after the funding they need to implement their plans and achieve their business goals. Each business will walk away with a completed business plan, a polished business pitch, and collaborative opportunities to work with their fellow cohort participants.
Prizes are awarded to the top performing companies each cohort with either technical assistance, cash prizes, or other forms of capital.
Graduates of the program may be also eligible for a discounted rate for a business loan with Hawaiian Council as well as a one-year business membership with Hawaiian Council, as well as ongoing technical assistance services paid for in full or in part by Hawaiian Council.
KūHana Spotlight
Since the first cohort, KūHana graduates were able to acquire the following forms of capital with the business plans they created in the accelerator program:
Total funding acquired
$4.5 MILLION
Grants
$515,000
Traditional Bank Loan
$1,450,000
Private Equity investment
$949,200
Hawaiian Council CDFI Loans
$290,514
social finance loan
$28,000
Business Competition Awards
$212,400
Contracts
$5,100
Line of credit
$135,000
About KūHana
Meet the Graduates
Our Sponsors & Partners

Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement
with the U.S. Small Business Administration








G. Max Mukai
G. Max Mukai is a Program Manager at Hawaiian Council. He was raised in the East Honolulu Kona District of Oʻahu – He is a proud graduate of Kamehameha Schools class of 2010 and attended Pepperdine University Seaver College undergraduate program and Graziadio School of Business & Management for his graduate program. His passions can be found at the intersection of Hawaiian culture and economic development.

What We Do

Rent & Mortgage Relief
We can help you find the resources you need for your ʻohana to thrive -from mortage to utilities and assistance programs.

Kilohana
Kilohana is a collaborative of complementary change agents committed to fulfilling HTA’s vision and specific directives.

Community Programs
Our community programs work with members of our community to develop the skills and resources needed to thrive.

Join Our Community
Become a Hawaiian Council member to get the opportunity to join other kānaka in lifting, empowering and inspiring our lāhui.
Call us at 808-596-8155