News and Updates

LATEST NEWS

Mahi Pono proud to support 2024 Made in Hawaii Festival as Official Farm Sponsor

Mahi Pono served as the Official Farm Sponsor of the 30th Annual Made in Hawaii Festival, which took place on August 23-25, 2024, at the Hawaii Convention Center on Oahu.  With approximately 70,000 attendees and over 700 vendor booths, this year's event was the largest in its history.  As a sponsor for the third year, Mahi Pono is grateful for the ongoing opportunity to connect with the community, share our Maui Harvest produce, and support local businesses. 

Mahi Pono partners with Maui Food Bank to provide food boxes for keiki

Mahi Pono is partnering with Maui Food Bank's 'Ai Holo Program to provide food boxes to 600 keiki across Maui and Lana'i. Youth sports teams and other volunteer groups gathered at the Mahi Pono Packing Plant to assemble boxes consisting of snacks and poi from local vendors, fruits and vegetables from Mahi Pono and local partners, and beef from Maui Cattle Company.

Maui Harvest Watermelons Available thru Summer

Get ready for everyone’s favorite summertime treat! Our seasonal harvest is in full swing, and Maui Harvest watermelons are now available for purchase at multiple retailers statewide.

Mahi Pono hosts middle schoolers from Iao Intermediate for ‘Plants for Lahaina’ project

Mahi Pono is partnering with Iao Intermediate School to give back to families who have lost so much in Lahaina.  Together, Mahi Pono and Iao will cultivate 700 trees to be donated to Lahaina families.

Maui No Ka ‘Oi Magazine discusses Mahi Pono’s Farming Operations with COO, Shan Tsutsui

In contrast to sugar production, Mahi Pono aims to transform agriculture on Maui by building a sustainable and diversified farming system that includes fruits and vegetables.  Last year, Mahi Pono delivered more than 6,000 watermelons and 2,000 pounds of onions to the market under the Maui Harvest brand.  Recently, limes and lemons have also begun appearing in stores across the Valley Isle and on neighbor islands. 
"Talk Story" A Farm for the Future article

Maui’s Fil-Am Voice covers Mahi Pono’s First Five Years of Planting

Five years have passed since Mahi Pono purchased 41,000 acres of former sugarcane land on Maui.  Mahi Pono now has 350 full-time employees, and has planted over 2 million trees.  Fil-Am Voice’s Assistant Editor, Alfredo G. Evangelista, talks with Mahi Pono COO, Shan Tsutsui, about the company’s progress so far.

Mahi Pono Packing Facility Opens

Limes and lemons are now being packed for sale in Mahi Pono’s 117,000 square-foot packing facility.  Read about the packing operation in Melissa Tanji’s feature article in The Maui News.
Limes rumble along during processing at the M.P. Packing Co. facility on Oct. 25. Mahi Pono Vice President of Harvest and Post-Harvest Operations Chris Miller said the facility uses a blend of automation and manual labor to grade, clean, dry, size, count and pack the limes. He said Persian limes were being processed and the company also grows Tahitian limes on the 10,000 acres it has planted with the fruit. The limes are currently being sold on Oahu and Maui. Miller said the company will be processing onions and coffee in the building soon and a cold storage area is being constructed. He said the processing center will be used while a larger facility is built off Pulehu Road near the intersection with Hansen Road. — The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo

Mahi Pono works with Government Officials to Staff Donation Site for Maui Fire Recovery

Donations of nonperishable food, bottled water and hygiene products are being accepted from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday near a vacant unit at the mall at the Kane Street entrance. The new site is a partnership among the county, the state and Mahi Pono. Mahi Pono will provide staff for the facility and work under the leadership of Salvation Army and Feed My Sheep to coordinate food and supplies distribution. 
Donations gathered for those affected by the Maui fire

Mahi Pono director appointed to ADC Board

Jayson Watts, Mahi Pono's Director of External Affairs and Strategic Initiatives, is among three new members appointed to the State Agribusiness Development Corporation.
Jayson Watts

Mahi Pono Supports Maui County AgFest & 4-H Livestock Fair

Mahi Pono is pleased to be a sponsor of the 2023 Maui AgFest & 4-H Livestock Fair happening at the War Memorial Special Events Field on Saturday, June 3, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This family fun celebration of local agriculture has a lot to offer including its signature events the Maui Legacy Farmers Pancake Breakfast, the Maui 4-H Livestock Show & Auction, and the Grand Taste. In addition, attendees can enjoy the Keiki Zone, Ag Education Tent, entertainment stage and program, Grown on Maui farmers market, big trucks and machinery on display, and many food booths/trucks to choose from.
Livestock fair

Maui Harvest sweet onions coming soon to stores near you

Our seasonal onion harvest is underway, and we’ve partnered with Armstrong Produce, Kula Produce, and Sun Fresh Hawaii to distribute these onions to local retailers! Maui Harvest sweet onions will be available for sale at Tamura’s, Target, and ABC Stores beginning May 24, 2023.  Additional retailers will be online soon!  
Onions

Mahi Pono announces partnership with GoFarm Hawai'i to support the expansion of agricultural education on Maui

Mahi Pono, a Maui farming company that owns and operates 41,000 acres in Central Maui, is pleased to announce its partnership with GoFarm Hawai‘i, an extension program of the University of Hawai‘i’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR). Mahi Pono will lease 15 acres of its West Maui agricultural land to GoFarm Hawai‘i for its successful statewide farmer-development training program aimed at increasing the state’s agricultural workforce.
GoFarm Hawai‘i partnership seeks to build Hawaiʻi’s next generation of farmers. PC: file photo University of Hawaiʻi.

Mahi Pono COO appointed to Search Committee for University of Hawaii CTAHR Dean

Mahi Pono Chief Operating Officer Shan Tsutsui is among members named to the Search Advisory Committee as the search begins for a new dean of the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) at the University of Hawaii.
Waimānalo Learning Center at the UH College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.

2023 Row crop production: Kale

Mahi Pono’s row crop operation is looking forward to cultivating an estimated 2 million pounds of fresh local produce in 2023.  This produce will be distributed to restaurants, grocery stores, food hubs and local institutions statewide.  Mahi Pono’s Row Crop Farm Manager, Kyle Studer, will lead a team tasked with growing kale, lettuce, sweet onions, watermelon, and pumpkins, and we’ll chronicle their progress with a series of blog posts found here on the MahiPono.com website.  First up: Kale!
Leafy Greens

$65K for Shidler college raised through record sold-out Executive Vineyards event

The 23rd annual Executive Vineyards event raised a record $65,000 for the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Shidler College of Business. Held at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel on March 9, a sold-out event of more than 600 guests enjoyed an evening of networking, sampling delicious items from local restaurants and tasting a variety of wines and spirits with the iconic Diamond Head and Waikīkī Beach in the backdrop.
From left, Kelly Simek, Mark Milton, Shidler Dean Vance Roley, Kelly Vea, Reid Hinaga and Grant Nakama

Mahi Pono names two recipients of its inaugural scholarship

Maui farming company Mahi Pono has named two recipients of its inaugural educational scholarship. Moani Tiare Atay and Nakoa Benjamin were awarded $3,000 each, which will support educational costs as they pursue an agriculture-related field of study in college.
2022 Scholars: Nakoa Benjamin of Kahului, and Moani Tiare Atay of Wailuku

Students invited to compete for Mahi Pono internship to address real-world challenges

Mahi Pono, a Maui-based farming company, has partnered with STEMworks Hawaiʻi to present the February 2022 STEMworks Solutions Challenge. The challenge is open to all Hawaiʻi high school and undergraduate college students, and winners will receive a paid summer internship with Mahi Pono and a $500 cash prize. The STEMworks Solutions Challenge is open for applications now, and the deadline to apply is Jan. 26, 2022.
Mahi Pono signage 10.20.21

Mahi Pono Reaches Milestone of Planting 1 Millionth Tree in Less Than Three Years

Maui-based farming company, Mahi Pono, celebrated its milestone of planting 1 million trees within its Central Maui farm, Tuesday. The achievement comes in less than three years.
COO Shan Tsutsui plants milestone tree with keiki.

Hawaii senators fly to Maui to visit one of the state’s largest farm companies

KAHULUI (HawaiiNewsNow) - A group of Hawaii senators flew to the Valley Isle and visited one of the state’s biggest farming companies on Wednesday to get more insight on how to boost locally-produced food.
Hawaii Senators on Mahi Pono field talking with company execs.

Work Underway to Protect Endangered Hawksbill Sea Turtles on Maui

The Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund, US Fish & Wildlife Service and Mahi Pono are working together to ensure the safety and protection of endangered hawksbill turtles, also known as honu ‘ea or ʻea, that nest along the shoreline in Mā‘alaea fronting North Kīhei Road. 
Endangered hawksbill turtles, also known as honu ‘ea or ʻea, are known to nest along the shoreline in Mā‘alaea fronting North Kīhei Road on Maui. PC: courtesy Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund, US Fish & Wildlife Service and Mahi Pono.

Mahi Pono prepares food boxes for keiki

Mahi Pono packing shed crew members fill boxes with food for the Kaukau 4 Keiki Program Thursday morning. The Kaukau 4 Keiki program attempts to address the youth food access gap by providing students with a weekly box of food, delivered directly to students’ homes, for families who cannot access state Department of Education distribution sites.

Chefs curate farm plots for Maui restaurants in Chef’s Corner program

Five chefs participating in the Hawai’i Food & Wine Festival attended the groundbreaking and blessing ceremony for a new project called Chef’s Corner earlier this week. Each chef gets a quarter-acre farm lot to say what they want grown on it. When the harvest is ready, they will get first choice to buy what is grown in their own farm lot. Farming will be done by Mahi Pono.
Five chefs participating in the Hawai’i Food & Wine Festival attended the groundbreaking and blessing ceremony for a new project called Chef’s Corner earlier this week.  Each chef gets a quarter-acre farm lot to say what they want grown on it.  When the harvest is ready, they will get first choice to buy what is grown in their own farm lot.  Farming will be done by Mahi Pono.

Mahi Pono Farmers Pivot Amid Pandemic

Wind. Drought. Pests. Farming in Central Maui already holds a unique set of challenges. Add a global pandemic and agriculture operations are tested in a whole new way. So Mahi Pono, the largest agriculture company on Maui, has made key changes to its operations in light of coronavirus.
Mahi Pono's fields in Central Maui.

Mahi Pono Promotes Shan Tsutsui to Chief Operating Officer

Mahi Pono LLC has announced the promotion of Maui’s Shan Tsutsui to chief operating officer. Tsutsui succeeds Tim O’Laughlin who will be relocating to California to focus on new initiatives for both Mahi Pono and Pomona Farming.   
Shan Tsutui

Mahi Pono Donates $10,000 to Imua Family Services

Mahi Pono donated $10,000 to Imua Family Services on Nov. 23, according to a news release. The funds were raised from Mahi Pono’s first annual Fall Harvest which included pumpkin sales on Oct. 24 at Yokouchi Family Estate. The drive-thru festival provided the Maui community with a safe, ohana-friendly way to celebrate Mahi Pono’s first fall harvest while supporting Imua Family Services and its community-based programs.
$10,000 donation for Imua Family Services

Mahi Pono leases land so Maui Humane Society can expand

Mahi Pono has executed a long-term lease agreement with Maui Humane Society for a 3-acre parcel that will allow the nonprofit to expand its facility, the organizations announced Tuesday. The Mahi Pono-owned parcel is adjacent to the humane society’s Puunene facility and will be leased for $1 a year for 60 years, according to a news release.
Maui Humane Society sign

BLNR OKs E. Maui water for Mahi Pono

Controversial permits allowed for 2021; long-term lease sought.
Jerome Kekiwi Jr., President of Na Moku Aupuni o Ko‘olau Hui during a Zoom meeting

Mahi Pono Plants 300 Native Trees for Statewide Tree Planting Day

Today, Mahi Pono planted 300 native ulu and milo along with 30 mai‘a (banana trees) in recognition of the 2020 Hawaiʻi Statewide Tree Planting Day, in partnership with ReTree Hawai‘i.
Tree planting

Mahi Pono Hosts First Annual Fall Harvest to Benefit Imua Family Services

Mahi Pono presents its first annual Fall Harvest on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Organizers say this drive-through festival will provide the Maui community with a safe, ‘ohana-friendly way to celebrate Mahi Pono’s first fall harvest while recognizing the work of Imua Family Services.
Maui Harvest Vegetables in a basket

Maui Cattle Company Offers COVID-Friendly Drive-Up Sale on Friday

Maui Cattle Company, a local business founded in 2002, hosts a third drive-up sale from 8 a.m. to noon on Friday, Sept. 11, 2020 at their facility located at 106 South Kāne Street (between Kahului Foodland and Sysco) in Kahului.
Maui Cattle Company drive up sale

Teens Getting Their Hands Dirty in Mahi Pono Fields

A dozen Maui high school students learn on the job while participating in Mahi Pono’s In the Fields paid summer internship program, which is a partnership with the Hawaii Agricultural Foundation. The program runs six to eight weeks and introduces students to everything from age-old farming techniques to the cutting edge as Mahi Pono transforms Maui’s sugar plantation monocrop model to one of diversified agriculture on a large scale.
High school interns learning farming techniques.

Maui Wildland Fire Training Today at Mahi Pono Parcel

The Maui Fire Department conducts a live fire wildland training exercise today from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. just south of Haleakalā Highway and west of Keahua Road. The training takes place on a parcel of Mahi Pono land and is an extension of the training conducted last month. Read article

Mahi Pono Launches Ag Training Program for High School Students

Maui farming company – Mahi Pono – is partnering with the Hawaii Agricultural Foundation to offer local high school students paid internships.

Mahi Pono Donates PPE to Local Restaurants

Maui farming company Mahi Pono is supporting local restaurants by donating personal protective equipment (PPE) to restaurants listed on Food-A-Go-Go. With the support of Hawai‘i Agricultural Foundation (HAF), 37,500 masks will be distributed in a drive-thru event for registered Food-A-Go-Go restaurants... Read article

Mahi Pono Contributes to Food Giveaways on Maui

There have been a couple of food giveaways in the last couple of weeks. About 400 bags of food were distributed April 29 to Hana residents impacted by the coronavirus pandemic...

Mahi Pono Becomes Majority Partner of Maui Cattle Co., Acquires Slaughterhouse

Mahi Pono, the farming venture that bought 41,000 acres of former sugar cane land on Maui from Alexander & Baldwin, said Thursday that it is now the majority partner of Maui Cattle Co...

Mahi Pono Planting Thousands of Trees

Potato processing facility, community farm next.

Op-Ed: Mahi Pono Bringing Sustainable Ag to Maui

December marked one-year since Mahi Pono was established to return active agriculture production to Central Maui.

Mahi Pono Donates 30,000 lbs. of Potatoes to Hawaii Foodbank

Mahi Pono, LLC, on Maui delivered a shipping container full of Maui-grown potatoes to the Hawaiʻi Foodbank on Friday.

Mahi Pono: ‘We are not profiting off water’

Officials offer details of approach to vital resource.

Mahi Pono Officials Offer Details of Water Approach

Officials offer details of approach to vital resource.

Mahi Pono, Hui Reach Water Pact

A hearing for closing arguments in the nearly two decades-long Hui o Nā Wai ʻEha contested case took place today before the State Water Commission.

Mahi Pono & Hui o Na Wai ‘Eha Reach Water Pact

Officials: Plan may create new chapter in ag history.

Maui Water Rights Deal Praised as Step Toward Resolving Years-Long Dispute

After a decades-long battle over public water rights in Central Maui, there’s finally an agreement over stream flows.

Papayas Planted in Mahi Pono Fields

A Mahi Pono crew uses a pair of a gas-powered augers to dig the holes for papaya trees being planted Thursday. The crew was expected to plant 10,000 non-GMO solo papaya trees...

Mahi Pono Potatoes to Debut at Hawaii Food & Wine Festival

Mahi Pono, LLC on Maui will pre-harvest about 90 pounds of heirloom potato crops for the upcoming Hawaiʻi Food & Wine Festival, taking place this weekend on Maui. 

EMI Submits Draft EIS for Long-Term Water Lease to Mahi Pono

The East Maui Irrigation Company (EMI) has submitted a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for a long-term, 30-year, water lease.

Mahi Pono LLC Hopes Former Sugar Plantation Land Will Yield Signature Crops

Mahi Pono is focusing on white, yellow and red potato types as their first crop of a progressive, multi-faceted farming development plan.

Mahi Pono Set to Begin First Plantings

Company narrows list of crops to grow on old HC&S sugar fields.

Meet Justin Texeira - Land Development and Cultural Resource Manager

Maui farmer Justin Texeira shares his career path and passions and his hopes for the role agriculture will play in Maui's future.
Justin Texeira - Land Development and Cultural Resource Manager at Mahi Pono.

Mahi Pono Taking Applications for Community Farm Lots

Two- to 10-acre parcels available.

Official Crop Plans Released by Mahi Pono

The first crops Mahi Pono will plant in Maui include citrus, avocado, potatoes, coffee and more.
sugar cane field

Seedlings Taking Root!

Mahi Pono has begun growing seedlings in a local nursery, and expects to begin planting them in the ground this coming fall.

Farming Activities

The Mahi Pono Farm Team has begun land prep for summer, transforming the old sugar cane lands into environmentally conscious, Non-GMO crops.

Kimo Falconer to Serve as Advisor for Mahi Pono

MauiGrown Coffee's president, Kimo Falconer, will serve as an Advisor for Mahi Pono's community farming and coffee efforts.
James "Kimo" Falconer

'I'm Still Tiare'': Tiare Lawrence plans to keep fighting for her community – only now she’ll do so as Mahi Pono’s new Community Relations Director

Tiare Lawrence shares her intentions, goals, and challenges with Maui Time in her new role Community Relations Director at Mahi Pono.
Mahi Pono's Community Relations Director Tiare Lawrence stands in a field of kalo.

Mahi Pono to Offer Assistance to Local Farmers

Mahi Pono will offer community farm blocks to local farmers, provide access to equipment and save space for research.

Mahi Pono Officials Reach Out to Community

Mahi Pono officials making rounds; details about who they are beginning to emerge.

Community Farming Among Mahi Pono's Plans

Mahi Pono plans to invite local farmers  farm on their land, allowing them to rotate crops and use their equipment.

Shan Tsutsui Named Mahi Pono's Senior VP of Operations

Mahi Pono appointed Shan Tsutsui, former Lieutenant Governor and State Senator, as their Senior Vice President of Operations.

Mahi Pono could generate 1,000-plus Jobs

Former lieutenant governor joins company, set to begin farming on 41,000 Maui acres, as new vice president.

Mahi Pono Purchases Alexander & Baldwin's Former HC&S Lands

Mahi Pono purchased 41,000 acres of farmland and plans on growing diversified, GMO free farms.

A&B Agreement with Mahi Pono Launches New Era of Ag on Maui

Former HC&S lands to be repurposed as diversified agriculture farms.