Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce

What Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce does

The Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce is a private non-profit membership organization headquartered in Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i, that serves as the primary business advocacy body for the West Hawai'i region, covering Kailua-Kona, Waimea, Kohala, and surrounding communities. It delivers value to member businesses through a structured combination of recurring annual membership dues (standard and Alii Circle premium tiers), signature networking events (Governor's Luncheon, Mayor's Luncheon, AfterHours Networking, Golf Tournament, Business Expos, Employment Law Seminar), and community programs (Aloha Ambassador, Pualu Awards, Kuleana Green Business, Sister Chamber, Young Professionals). Additional member-facing services include a searchable online business directory, member marketplace advertising, member spotlights, job postings, and member-to-member deals, all operated on the ChamberMaster/GrowthZone SaaS membership management platform.

The organization's core go-to-market motion is event-driven and relationship-based: it acquires and retains members by emphasizing advocacy access, networking, and community leadership opportunities, while serving as a recognized communication conduit for County of Hawai'i and State of Hawai'i announcements, including administration of the $475,000 Kona Low Business Recovery Grant Program in partnership with DBEDT. Distribution relies on direct membership applications via website/office, email newsletters, event marketing, and a member marketplace. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors and led by President and CEO Wendy Laros, with no parent company, external investors, or venture funding. Founded decades ago (specific date undisclosed), it operates as a community institution funded through membership dues, event sponsorships, and program revenue rather than as a commercial enterprise.

Name

Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce

Legal name

Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce

Website

https://kona-kohala.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit membership organization serving West Hawai'i businesses through advocacy, networking events, and community programs, funded primarily by recurring membership dues and operated on the ChamberMaster/GrowthZone platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Kailua Kona

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: The chamber generates revenue through annual membership dues from local businesses in West Hawaii. Membership tiers include standard membership and Alii Circle premium membership with additional benefits and recognition.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit membership organization that provides leadership, advocacy, and networking services for businesses in West Hawai'i. It sells annual membership dues (standard and Alii Circle premium tiers), operates a searchable online business directory of member companies, and organizes signature networking events including the Governor's Luncheon, Mayor's Luncheon, AfterHours Networking, Golf Tournament, and Business Expos.

Product overview

The Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce is a business membership organization serving West Hawai'i that provides a platform combining membership programs, networking events, advocacy, and member business services. The core offerings include membership tiers (standard and Alii Circle premium), a searchable business directory, and chamber-organized events and activities. Supporting programs include the Aloha Ambassador, Awards (Pualu), Kuleana Green Business, Sister Chamber, and Young Professionals programs. Additional member services encompass the Marketplace advertising, Member Spotlight features, Job Postings, Hot Deals, and Member To Member Deals platforms. The chamber operates primarily as a community organization rather than a technology product company.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• KKCC: Abbreviated name used for the chamber in internal references and promotions

Products and services

• Chamber Membership
• Alii Circle Premium Membership
• Business Directory
• Chamber Events & Activities
• Member Marketplace
• Sponsorship Opportunities
• Job Postings
• Hot Deals / Member-to-Member Deals

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• County of Hawai'i Department of Research and DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe chamber collaborates with the County of Hawai'i Department of Research and Development on economic development initiatives, workforce needs assessment, and the Kona Low Business Recovery Grant Program.
• State of Hawai'i Department of Business, Economic Development and TourismcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with DBEDT on the Kona Low Business Recovery Grant Program, administering $475,000 in recovery funds to eligible Hawaii Island businesses.
• The Food Basket, Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating on the Kona Regional Agrifood Summit and the 5-Year Agrifood and Community Food Security Plan for Hawaii County.
• Hāmākua InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization for the Kona Regional Agrifood Summit addressing community food security and economic resilience.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• Alignable: Digital small-business networking and referrals platform that partially substitutes for the in-person networking and member-to-member deal functions traditional chambers provide. Threatens member engagement even though it does not deliver advocacy.

Broad incumbents

• U.S. Chamber of Commerce: National apex chamber organization providing federal advocacy, research, and resources to member companies and local chambers. Overlaps with KKCC's advocacy and networking value proposition at a national layer.
• San Francisco Chamber of Commerce: Large urban chamber offering the same membership, advocacy, and event services as KKCC, but at materially larger scale and budget. Useful as an upmarket reference for what a mature regional chamber can scale into.
• Greater Phoenix Chamber: Mid-sized metropolitan chamber with established advocacy, events, and member programming. Comparable membership-based business association at a step up in scale and resource base.

Direct peers

• Kauai Chamber of Commerce: Neighbor-island chamber serving Kauai businesses with membership dues, networking events, and government advocacy. Closely analogous structure and revenue model in another small Hawaii market.
• Maui Chamber of Commerce: Neighbor-island chamber serving Maui County businesses with membership, advocacy, and events. Highly comparable model, scale, and tourism-dependent member base; useful benchmark for regional chamber economics.
• Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce: County-level chamber serving the east side of Hawai'i Island (Hilo). Directly comparable by region (same island), membership model, and business-advocacy function; competes for island-wide business mindshare.
• Chamber of Commerce Hawaii: State-level Hawaii chamber of commerce serving the broader Hawaiian business community with advocacy, networking, and member services. Most directly comparable peer by geography and mission; functions as a larger sibling to KKCC.

Others

• Better Business Bureau: Trust and accreditation organization for businesses with membership dues and directory listings. Adjacent model that competes for the same SMB member wallet on trust/visibility rather than advocacy.
• Local First Hawaii: Community-oriented local business coalition in Hawaii promoting independently owned businesses. Adjacent membership-and-advocacy model focused on a narrower segment of the same member base KKCC serves.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kona-kohala-chamber-of-commerce

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce