Pono Pacific Land Management

What Pono Pacific Land Management does

Pono Pacific Land Management, LLC is a privately held natural resource conservation company founded in 2000 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Operating across all six major Hawaiian islands, the company delivers land management, ecological restoration, invasive species eradication, watershed protection, trail maintenance, and remote-area fence construction services for federal and state government agencies (U.S. Army, NAVFAC, State DLNR), nonprofit conservation organizations (The Nature Conservancy, Pacific Rim Conservation), and private institutional landowners (Kamehameha Schools, Turtle Bay Resort). Proprietary capabilities include the construction of record-setting predator exclusion fencing in helicopter-accessible terrain (11,200 feet at Kilauea Point NWR, the longest in the United States) and a solar-powered hydroponic lettuce facility at Kuilima Farm supplying 800 lbs of produce weekly to Turtle Bay Resort.

The company's revenue is generated primarily through project-based B2B government and institutional contracts, supplemented by sustainable agriculture operations (Kuilima Farm, 468 acres) and renewable energy development partnerships. Pricing is not publicly disclosed, and contracts are secured via RFP processes, sole-source awards, and longstanding agency relationships. As an SBA 8(a)-certified, minority-owned small business, Pono Pacific benefits from federal set-aside contracting preferences and has executed multi-year engagements covering more than 40,000 acres of conservation land, 190,000+ linear feet of fencing, and 6,000+ acres of invasive species control annually.

More recently, Pono Pacific has expanded into renewable energy and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) through a partnership with Par Hawaii and the Alaska Air Group (Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Alaska Star Ventures) to develop locally grown Camelina sativa as biofuel feedstock, with first SAF delivery expected in Q1 2026. This positions the company at the intersection of conservation services, sustainable agriculture, and energy transition in Hawaii, with sister-company Pono Island Capital deploying restorative capital into adjacent markets.

Name

Pono Pacific Land Management

Legal name

Pono Pacific Land Management, LLC

Website

https://ponopacific.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Pono Pacific Land Management is Hawaii's first and largest private natural resource conservation company, delivering land management, invasive species control, predator exclusion fencing, watershed restoration, sustainable agriculture, and sustainable aviation fuel feedstock development for government agencies, nonprofits, and private landowners across six Hawaiian islands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Conservation Services

NAICS

Solid Waste Combustors and Incinerators (562213)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Sustainable Agriculture, Food Systems & Land Management (BPADALAG)

Keywords

• Natural resource management
• Conservation land services
• Invasive species control
• Watershed restoration
• Sustainable agriculture

Headquarters

HQ city

Honolulu

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government Conservation Contracts: Pono Pacific generates the majority of its revenue through contracts with federal and state government agencies (U.S. Army, NAVFAC, State DLNR, DOFAW), nonprofits (The Nature Conservancy), and institutional landowners (Kamehameha Schools). Contracts cover land management, invasive species removal, fence construction, trail maintenance, ungulate control, and restoration services. Revenue is project-based and recurring given multi-year contract relationships.
2. Sustainable Agriculture Operations: Revenue generated from the Kuilima Farm operation managed for Turtle Bay Resort, supplying fresh produce (salad greens, vegetables, herbs, fruits) to five resort restaurants — approximately 800 pounds of produce per week. Additional revenue from farm-to-resort model with USDA food safety certification enabling broader distribution.
3. Renewable Energy / Biofuel Feedstock Development: Partnership with Par Hawaii to identify and develop local sources of crops (e.g., Camelina sativa) for plant-based renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel production. Pono Pacific vets potential crops, identifies suitable land and farming partners. Revenue derived from agricultural development services and potential long-term feedstock supply arrangements.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Pono Pacific is a natural resource conservation services company that delivers land management, ecological restoration, invasive species control, watershed management, fence and trail construction, predator and ungulate control, sustainable agriculture, and renewable energy feedstock development to government agencies, nonprofits, and private landowners across Hawaii. The company also operates Kuilima Farm, a 468-acre farm-to-resort agricultural operation for Turtle Bay Resort, and develops Camelina sativa feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel with Par Hawaii.

Product overview

Pono Pacific Land Management is a services-based company offering a comprehensive suite of natural resource conservation services across Hawaii. The portfolio includes: Land Management & Restoration, Invasive Species Eradication, Watershed Management, Fence & Remote Area Construction, Predator & Ungulate Control, Trail Construction & Maintenance, GIS and Data Collection, and Eco-Asset Project Management. Key operational offerings include Kuilima Farm (a 468-acre farm-to-resort operation producing lettuce and produce for Turtle Bay Resort) and the Renewable Jet Fuel/SAF program (partnership with Par Hawaii to develop local Camelina feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel production). The company operates as a unified services organization rather than a software platform, with all offerings delivered through direct operational teams across six Hawaiian islands.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Land Management & Restoration Long-term land management plans, restoration work, permitting, and community outreach for properties across Hawaii, including wetland management, coastal restoration, and native habitat restoration.
• Invasive Species Eradication
• Watershed Management
• Fence & Remote Area Construction
• Predator & Ungulate Control
• Trail Construction & Maintenance
• Kuilima Farm A 468-acre farm-to-resort operation managed by Pono Pacific for Turtle Bay Resort, producing over 2,000 lbs of lettuce greens monthly and supplying fresh produce to all five resort restaurants, with USDA food safety certification.
• Renewable Jet Fuel / Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Feedstock Development

Quantifiable outcome

• Camelina-based SAF can reduce carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to regular jet fuel
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Hawaiian AirlinescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 December 2025Hawaiian Airlines (a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group) partnered with Pono Pacific and Par Hawaii to develop sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) using locally grown Camelina sativa feedstock in Hawaii. Hawaiian Airlines is the launch SAF customer, with first delivery of locally produced SAF expected Q1 2026. The initiative aims to reduce aviation carbon emissions while creating economic benefits through a new energy sector and fuel supply chain in Hawaii.
• Alaska AirlinescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 December 2025Alaska Airlines (sister carrier to Hawaiian Airlines, both owned by Alaska Air Group) partnered with Pono Pacific and Par Hawaii to develop SAF using locally grown Camelina sativa. Alaska Airlines is co-launch customer alongside Hawaiian Airlines for locally produced SAF from Hawaii. The initiative supports the airlines' long-term goal of reaching net-zero emissions.
• Par Hawaii (Par Pacific Holdings)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Pono Pacific's partnership with Par Hawaii identifies and develops local sources of vegetable and plant-based oil to produce renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at the Kapolei refinery. Pono Pacific vets potential crops and identifies suitable land and farming partners to determine the best long-term strategy. The goal is to produce locally sourced renewable fuel products accessible to all Hawai'i residents and businesses. Production of renewable fuels projected to begin in 2025.
• Hawaii Agriculture Research CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPono Pacific and the Hawaii Agriculture Research Center are conducting trials to grow camelina in Hawaii as a biofuel feedstock. The research focuses on optimizing cultivation conditions and evaluating the oil's use as a sustainable fuel alternative, with plans to expand harvest yields through 2026.
• Turtle Bay ResortcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPono Pacific manages Kuilima Farm, 468 acres of agricultural land owned by Turtle Bay Resort, permanently dedicated to agricultural use under conservation easement. Pono Pacific oversees the farm-to-resort operation including a solar-powered hydroponic facility producing lettuce and fresh produce for all five resort restaurants. The farm achieved USDA food safety certification and is Hawaii's first large-scale farm-to-resort operation.
• The Nature Conservancy (TNC)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPono Pacific has executed multiple projects for The Nature Conservancy in Hawai'i, including: East Moloka'i Watershed Partnership animal and weed control (13,000 acres managed annually), Maunalua Bay invasive alien algae removal (25.7 acres cleared, 2.9M lbs removed), He'eia mangrove removal (largest mangrove trees in the country, some 60 feet tall), Waikamoi ungulate sweeps on Maui, Mo'omomi predator-proof fence on Moloka'i (8,600 linear feet), and predatory roi fish removal off Puako and Ka'upulehu.
• Kamehameha SchoolscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPono Pacific has been contracted by Kamehameha Schools to develop long-term management plans, carry out on-the-ground restoration work, secure permitting, and develop community outreach at several properties across the state. Projects include restoration at 'Uko'a wetland (150 acres), Akoakoa coastal parcel (3 acres), and Pu'u Kali'u lowland forest (50 acres), with work including seed collection, native outplanting, vegetation removal, invasive species eradication, trail maintenance, fence construction, and erosion control.
• Pacific Rim Conservation (PRC)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPono Pacific was contracted by Pacific Rim Conservation to construct over 3,700 linear feet of predator-proof fence within the James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge. The fence specifications were uniquely designed to keep small mammals from entering the sensitive area and disturbing endangered birds within.
• U.S. ArmycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPono Pacific has multiple contracts with the U.S. Army including: predator control for endangered 'elepaio recovery (baiting and trapping rats and mongoose across O'ahu), rodent control at Lualualei Annex (JBPHH), and restoration of a 100+ acre target range to prevent soil loss and pollution of riparian areas involving civil construction, hydro-mulching, erosion control, and native Hawaiian species seeding.
• Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPono Pacific removed 1 acre of invasive mangrove along the West Lock of Pu'uloa from 2011–2013 under NAVFAC contract. Due to success on the original project, NAVFAC awarded additional contracts to remove over 28 acres of mangrove, later renewed in 2017 to remove 1.7 acres and maintain previously cleared areas.
• State of Hawai'i Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPono Pacific has multiple DLNR contracts including: Poamoho ungulate-proof fence (19,537 linear feet along leeward Ko'olau Range for watershed conservation), Na Ala Hele trail management on O'ahu (including 15.5-mile Maunawili trail), and installation of a 14,785-foot predator-exclusion fence at Kanahā Pond Wildlife Sanctuary (second-longest in the nation).
• Sustainable Resources Group International, Inc. (SRGII)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPono Pacific was contracted by SRGII for coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB) removal at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam starting in 2018. The project involved monitoring, repairing, and maintaining up to 700 CRB traps, as well as breeding site surveys per HDOA CRB Program Manual protocols. Also performed rodent control at Lualualei Annex under SRGII.
• Pono Island CapitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPono Island Capital is a sister company of Pono Pacific that deploys restorative capital developing sustainable agriculture and renewable energy markets across the Pacific, building healthy and resilient economies and ecosystems.
• Research Corporation at the University of Hawai'i (RCUH)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRCUH contracted Pono Pacific for two major fence projects: West Makaleha Endangered Snail Enclosure (500 linear feet of predator-proof fencing for endangered tree snails at Mt. Ka'ala) and 'Ōhikilolo Ridge ungulate-proof fence (9,843 linear feet in the Wai'anae Range, completed within five months).
• CONAF (Chilean National Park Service)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPono Pacific established a formal international partnership with CONAF (Chilean National Park Service) for the purpose of reforesting Rapa Nui (Easter Island), demonstrating global recognition of its conservation expertise.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• The Nature Conservancy: Global nonprofit conservation organization with significant operations in Hawaii that contracts field services (similar to those Pono Pacific provides) and operates large-scale land management programs. Comparable in mission and partially overlapping in service delivery model.
• Resource Environmental Solutions (RES): Large-scale environmental services and ecological restoration company providing stream, wetland, and habitat mitigation/restoration services across the U.S. Closest scaled peer to Pono Pacific in the conservation services market.
• SWCA Environmental Consultants: Large environmental consulting firm offering natural and cultural resource management, permitting, and ecological services. Comparable to Pono Pacific in service breadth but operates at national scale.
• Ducks Unlimited: Large nonprofit focused on habitat conservation with significant land management operations, including invasive species control and watershed work. Mission-aligned peer operating at much larger scale across North America.

Direct peers

• Pacific Rim Conservation: Hawaii-based nonprofit that contracts Pono Pacific for fence construction. Operates in the same Hawaiian endangered-species and predator-proof-fence niche, occasionally serving as both partner and competing bidder for conservation projects in the islands.
• Biohabitats: Ecological restoration and conservation planning firm providing habitat restoration, watershed services, and invasive species management. Directly comparable in service portfolio to Pono Pacific's restoration and land management lines.
• Kupu: Nonprofit spinoff founded by Pono Pacific's CEO that provides conservation workforce development in Hawaii. Sister organization with overlapping staff, mission, and customer base in Hawaiian conservation services.
• Conservation Legacy: National nonprofit that operates conservation corps programs providing land management, trail construction, and restoration services. Comparable service model and federal contract base to Pono Pacific.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/PonoPacific
• Facebookfacebook.com/PonoPacific
• Instagraminstagram.com/ponopacific
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pono-pacific-llc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pono Pacific Land Management