HONOLULU — In an effort to make Makaweli Poi Mill more self-sufficient and increase projects supporting the Hawaiian language on Kaua‘i, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs announced Wednesday it is transferring the poi mill to a local nonprofit group. In
HONOLULU — In an effort to make Makaweli Poi Mill more self-sufficient and increase projects supporting the Hawaiian language on Kaua‘i, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs announced Wednesday it is transferring the poi mill to a local nonprofit group.
In accepting the business plan of Supporting the Language of Kaua‘i, Inc., the group will now enter into a management agreement with Lehua Poi Company of Waimea to operate the business.
SLK will receive a portion of the net profits, which it will use to establish a grants program to further the Hawaiian language education efforts by working with Hawaiian language and culture-focused charter schools and other educational institutions.
“I am glad our community will continue to enjoy locally-produced poi as part of a healthy, sustainable diet,” said OHA Trustee Dan Ahuna, who represents Kaua‘i. “Add to that the financial support that will go to Supporting the Language of Kaua‘i’s programs and the perpetuation of ‘Olelo Hawai‘i and this is a day full of many possibilities for us.”
OHA management is also confident this arrangement will be successful.
“Supporting the Language of Kaua‘i has ambitious but realistic plans to expand poi production while diversifying into other taro-based products,” said Kamana‘opono Crabbe, OHA’s chief executive officer. “We are confident they will be a success and will give back to both the keiki and kupuna on Kaua‘i.”
In addition, the groups plan to promote taro as a Hawaiian staple food, including working with local schools to introduce poi and poi products for their lunch menus.
“This is a positive step forward for both parties,” said Dirk Soma, president of the Kaua‘i Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce. He said the SLK can run Makaweli Poi in a way to benefit the community even more, adding that the chamber will support both entities.
OHA recently began accepting business proposals from other nonprofit community groups after working since May on a transfer to Ka Piko o Waimea.
“We thank Ka Piko o Waimea for its hard work to preserve poi production on the island of Kaua‘i,” Crabbe said.
“The dedication showed by Ka Piko was commendable and we urge them to continue to use their collective mana to support other worthy community causes.”
OHA expects to transfer the assets of Makaweli Poi, including production equipment, to Supporting the Language of Kaua‘i at the beginning of the year, along with providing seed money to help with start-up costs.
Current Makaweli Poi employees will be given the opportunity to reapply for their jobs, according to the transition plan announced by Lehua Poi Company.
