How Savor Brands Sparked the Pono Collective

Culinary students from Kapi‘olani Community College’s Culinary Innovation Center learn about coffee cupping during a coffee sensory workshop at Savor Brands’ headquarters in Honolulu, Hawai‘i.

At the heart of every thriving community is a shared commitment to something greater than ourselves. For Savor Brands and Pono Collective, that shared commitment is to education, collaboration, and connection to Hawai‘i-grown agriculture.

In 2018, Savor Brands' leadership saw a need within the specialty coffee community: connecting students and professionals for deeper, place-based learning that honors the people, cultures, and hands behind every cup. Hawai‘i’s agricultural community is rich with knowledge and offers many opportunities to connect beyond textbooks and PowerPoint presentations.

Since its beginnings, the goal has been to take students out of the classroom and into coffee farms, mills, sensory labs, and roasteries, connecting with industry leaders who value education. These weren’t just field trips; they were immersive journeys through the specialty coffee value chain meant to foster empathy, spark curiosity, and deepen understanding.

This spark became Pono Collective.

Together with Savor Brands and amazing partners across Hawai‘i’s coffee value chain, Pono Collective built a platform that celebrates both the history and the future of Hawai‘i-grown agriculture. And this is just the beginning.

Today, Pono Collective is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with its own board of directors, mission-driven leadership, and a growing network of educational programs and partnerships. While Savor Brands remains a key supporter and ally, our roots have deepened and our reach is expanding.

We’ve worked with students, faculty from local colleges, emerging professionals, and industry leaders and champions, each contributing their time and knowledge while bringing these experiences back into their communities, businesses, and classrooms.

The partnership between Savor Brands and Pono Collective is a model for how local businesses and nonprofit initiatives can collaborate with integrity and vision. It shows that when we invest in one another, we all grow. Together, we’ve shown what’s possible when values lead the way. Now, we’re inviting others to join us.

If you believe in the power of education, the value of local agriculture, and the importance of connection, we invite you to join our journey. Whether as a donor, partner, or advocate, your support helps ensure the next generation of learners, producers, and leaders can thrive.

Let’s grow something meaningful together.