Kūhana Business Program

Empowering ʻŌiwi Businesses

13 APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN!

KūHana Cohort 11 applications are due by April 14, 2023. Please note, this written application is one of a two step process. If your written application is accepted, there will be a follow up Zoom interview as part of the evaluation. Final determination and notifications will sent out by April 21, 2023.

If accepted into Cohort 11, the program will start on April 25, 2023.

If you have any questions, please reach out to the program manager, Max Mukai, at max@hawaiiancouncil.org

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About KūHana

KūHana helps local and Hawaiian-owned entrepreneurs in the startup to early stages of development get clear on their business strategy by hosting a 8-week business plan development class with tools, technical assistance, and ample networking. Each business will walk away with a completed business plan, a polished business pitch, and collaboration opportunities with their fellow cohort participants. Prizes are awarded to 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 CNHA as well as a one-year business membership with CNHA, as well as ongoing technical assistance services paid for in full or in part by CNHA.

If accepted the fee for this course is $250, with a 50% discount for applicants CNHA Business Membership.

*Partial Scholarships Available*

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KūHana Spotlight

Since the first cohort, KūHana graduates were able to acquire the following forms of capital with the tools and strategies they learned in the program:

Total

$611,309



Grants

$260,000



Private Equity

$75,000



CNHA Business Loans

$28,000



Pitch Competition Awards

$135,000



PPP Loans

$78,698



Technical Assistance

$34,611

Mahalo to our funders and community partners for supporting our KūHana businesses by helping them set a kāhua on which to grow.

Meet the Graduates

KūHana Cohort 8 recently competed at the Native Hawaiian Convention, where the winners received a cash prize along with a technical assistance grant. Congrats to all the participating companies. Check their bios out here.

Cohort 1

Our inaugural cohort was made up or companies and entrepreneurs from across the pae ʻāina. They were the only cohort to have classes in person, and demonstrated their flexibility and resilience having to move to a virtual classroom.

Cohort 2

Right in the thick of lockdowns and uncertainty, cohort 2 rose to the occasion. They challenged themselves to look inward and to rely on one another for inspiration and support.

Cohort 3

A power pack of wahine owned businesses with two fearless kāne. This group of ʻōiwi and local-owned businesses really understood the meaning of lōkahi. New collaborations were born from this cohort.

View Business Profiles

Cohort 4

The battle of the cashflows! Cohort 4 really upped the competition, as they all prepared to participate in the Mahiʻai Scale-Up Competition hosted by Kamehameha Schools. These food system companies are true innovators in the economy and support us all in ways we cannot imagine.

View Business Profiles

Cohort 5

Another eclectic group of ʻōiwi-preneurs across several industries, from farming, music schools, and hand made accessories. A true reflection of the diversity of the lāhui.

View Business Profiles

Cohort 6

Cohort 6 is currently going through the wringer. They are working hard and already making progress. They will graduate from KūHana in March, where top performers will be invited to compete at the Mahiʻai Match-Up Competition hosted by Kamehameha Schools, where the top prize winners will receive an agricultural land or commercial property agreement to expand their company. We are proud to partner with KS to uplift our local food systems economy.

View Business Profiles

Cohort 8

Cohort 8 was the first KūHana cohort to be able to pitch in person. Top performing companies were able to present their businesses at the 21st annual Native Hawaiian Convention at the Sheraton Waikiki to a room full of supporters, judges, and their fellow KūHana participants.

View Business Profiles

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 CNHA. 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.