Major Land and building Assets expansion, Capacity Building
In 2001, the Waiʻanae Community Re-development Corporation, a non-profit 501(c)3, established MA‘O Organic Farms as a native Hawaiian social enterprise to develop systemic solutions. Founded on the premise that educated, culturally-rooted young leaders are foundational to revitalizing any community, MA‘O currently produces 8,000 pounds of organic produce weekly, and employs 60+ college interns from the Wai‘anae coast who earn a stipend and tuition waiver for University of Hawai‘i. MA`O has graduated over 450 youth from community college, with over 50% going to 4-year university programs.
MAʻOʻs strategic expansion aims to grow the youth program 4x and food-production 10x, while creating 75 jobs, developing an agricultural housing cluster, and forging a sustainable organizational future through an expanded earned revenue base.
I’m supporting various aspects of this work - financing, due diligence, and construction management.
Acquired nearby 2 parcels totaling 257-acres. Coordinated due diligence, pro-forma projections, and supported the capital campaign to finance purchase and development through a combination of debt financing, concessionary rate impact investments, and grants from local, national and federal sources ($12.5MM - acquisition and operations start-up)
Construction of 12,000 sq. foot steel post-harvest processing, cold storage, and meeting/office space. 29Kw PV system. ($7MM - from federal and local financing and grants)
Establishment of utilities infrastructure and construction of “base yard” facilities at a satellite parcel which will include restrooms, vehicle maintenance and storage, staff offices and workshop/training areas. ($3MM - in-process).
Due diligence, financing, acquisition and renovation of a 1-acre parcel with 2 existing homes as the organizationʻs first staff rental housing. (1.8MM)
Due diligence and initial feasibility and planning and well as fundraising from federal grants and local philanthropic capital for 250-acres granted to MAʻO in nearby Mākaha Valley for a mix of bicultural restoration, agriculture and limited income housing ($30MM+ in-process)
Due diligence and initial feasibility study for future acquisitions of AG-zoned parcels, or additional staff housing on the Leeward Coast.
Strategic support of Executive Director, CFO and Board to ensure smooth up-scaling of operations