Our Story

Pono Collective is built on the belief that the future of Hawai‘i’s specialty crops today requires looking to our past and how our kūpuna lived and thrived many generations ago. Inspired by their knowledge and values, we sought to develop a collaborative and locally rooted approach that connects agriculture, education, storytelling, and workforce development. In 2018, educators and industry leaders united around a clear and impactful vision: to empower students through holistic, hands-on learning that embodies one of our most fundamental values here in Hawai‘i, pono — doing what is right in thought and action.

Our approach goes beyond lectures and slide decks. We saw an opportunity to bring learning to life in the very places that provide for our islands. What began as a pilot project to connect students to Hawai‘i’s specialty coffee industry evolved into something larger: a movement to inspire today's generation to guide the next.

Today, we are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded on the belief that purposeful learning happens through connection to our community and respect for our resources, history, and culture. Since launching in 2022, Pono Collective has taken learners out of the classroom and into farms, sensory labs, and production facilities across Hawai‘i. By connecting students to leaders throughout our local value chains, our goal is to inspire innovation and introduce career pathways that will help continue and grow our agricultural and culinary arts communities.

Through partnerships with institutions like Kapi‘olani Community College and partners throughout the Pacific, we continue to expand our efforts to reach more areas of Hawai‘i agriculture through experiential learning. We are dedicated to continually creating opportunities to connect meaningfully through stories and experiences rooted in Hawai‘i’s history, shaping its present and future.

Join our mission

Pono Collective's mission is driven by the generous support of our educational and community partners, who contribute their time and knowledge to help today's learners become tomorrow's leaders. Our community is stronger because of supporters like you.

Join us by making a donation, taking our coffee education workshops, or simply connecting with us on social media, and subscribe to our newsletter. Mahalo!