Hawaii Agricultural Foundation

What Hawaii Agricultural Foundation does

Hawaii Agricultural Foundation (HAF) is a Hawaii-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2007 and strategically rebranded in 2010 to cultivate a food-secure and resilient Hawaii. The foundation operates a multi-program portfolio rather than a unified product, delivering value across four interlocking areas: (1) farmer and rancher support, anchored by the 280-acre HAF Ag Park at Kunia on Central Oahu's Kunia Plains, established in July 2011 in partnership with Island Palm Communities and Bayer to provide land access, infrastructure, and technical assistance for diversified agriculture; (2) statewide K-12 agricultural education programs including Where Would We Be Without Seeds, Veggie U, Tower Power, the Young Entrepreneurs Program (YEP), In the Fields farm field trips, and the Localicious School Kitchen Cook-off and Art & Recipe Contest, delivered in partnership with the Hawaii Department of Education and other state education leaders; (3) the signature EAT THINK DRINK speaker and dining event series convening chefs, farmers, industry leaders, and community; and (4) emergency disaster relief, exemplified by the Hawai'i Farmers Disaster Relief Fund which raised more than $500,000 to support farmers, ranchers, fishers, and agricultural businesses impacted by the 2026 Kona Low storms. Workforce development is being expanded through the Hele Imua Agriculture Apprentice Pilot Program launched in December 2025 with the State of Hawaii DLIR and Ulupono Initiative.

HAF's business model is a diversified nonprofit revenue stack rather than a commercial pricing model. Funding sources include individual donations processed via the Kindful donation platform, multi-tier corporate sponsorships (Diamond through Bronze) with named partners including the State of Hawaii, Bayer, United Airlines, Central Pacific Bank, Hawaii Community Foundation, Hawaii Gas, Matson, and Kyo-ya Hotels & Resorts, foundation grants, ticketed event revenue from EAT THINK DRINK, and targeted fundraising campaigns such as disaster relief and the Kyo-ya-led Burgers & Mai Tais promotion that generated more than $50,000. The Localicious brand is a registered trademark of the foundation. Operating geographies are limited to the State of Hawaii; no international or out-of-state expansion is indicated. The foundation is governed by a Board of Directors chaired by Dean Okimoto and led by Executive Director Denise Yamaguchi, with a lean staff of 1-10 employees based at the Honolulu headquarters at 3538 Waialae Ave #203.

HAF's underlying technology footprint is intentionally minimal and reflects nonprofit operating norms rather than a technology strategy: a content website, an online marketplace (hafmarketplace.com), email newsletters, a Flickr media presence, and standard donation and event ticketing platforms. No proprietary software products, AI/ML systems, mobile applications, or developer-facing APIs are offered. The organization's competitive differentiation rests on physical infrastructure (the 280-acre Ag Park), a registered brand (Localicious), multi-stakeholder convening capability, and 18 years of operating relationships across Hawaii's agricultural, educational, corporate, and government sectors — not on technology.

Name

Hawaii Agricultural Foundation

Legal name

Hawaii Agricultural Foundation

Website

https://hawaiiagfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Nonprofit foundation cultivating food security in Hawaii by providing farmer land access at the 280-acre Ag Park at Kunia, K-12 agricultural education, signature EAT THINK DRINK events, and disaster relief, funded by corporate sponsors and individual donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Support Activities for Crop Production (11511)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Regulatory Compliance, Permitting & Audit Readiness (Food Safety, Environmental, Labor) (AFACAJAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) Sponsors (BPAGAKAF)

Keywords

• Agricultural education
• Farmer support services
• Community food programs
• Agricultural workforce development
• Disaster relief funding

Headquarters

HQ city

Honolulu

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: Individual donors contribute to HAF's mission to build a resilient, food-secure Hawaii. Donations support education programs, farmer resources, and community outreach.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors at multiple tiers (Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze) provide funding and support for HAF's programs and events including EAT THINK DRINK, education initiatives, and farmer support programs.
3. Disaster Relief Fundraising: HAF raises funds for disaster relief efforts supporting farmers, ranchers, fishers, and agricultural businesses impacted by natural disasters such as the 2026 Kona Low storms.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Hawaii Agricultural Foundation (HAF) is a nonprofit organization that supports local agriculture in Hawaii through a portfolio of farmer support programs, youth education initiatives, and community engagement events. It delivers educational curricula and field programs to thousands of students statewide, operates the 280-acre HAF Ag Park at Kunia providing land access and infrastructure for diversified farming, runs signature speaker events (EAT THINK DRINK) and Localicious competitions, and administers disaster relief grants for agricultural producers impacted by natural disasters.

Product overview

Hawaii Agricultural Foundation (HAF) is a non-profit organization operating as a program portfolio rather than a unified software product. Its offerings include educational programs (EAT THINK DRINK event series, Localicious School Kitchen Cook-off, Where Would We Be Without Seeds, Veggie U, Tower Power, Young Entrepreneurs Program, In the Fields, Localicious Art & Recipe Contest), farmer support initiatives (Ag Park at Kunia, Hele Imua Internship Program, Localicious Heroes storytelling series), and disaster relief efforts (Hawai'i Farmers Disaster Relief Fund). These programs work together to advance HAF's mission of cultivating a food-secure and resilient Hawai'i through education, farmer empowerment, and community engagement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• EAT THINK DRINK HAF's signature speaker series bringing together chefs, farmers, industry leaders, and community members to explore issues shaping Hawaiʻi's agricultural future through panel discussions and chef-curated dining experiences.
• Localicious School Kitchen Cook-off Competition celebrating school food service professionals and supporting efforts to increase locally sourced ingredients in public school meals across Hawaiʻi.
• Where Would We Be Without Seeds Standards-based curriculum for K-3 students introducing the fundamentals of agriculture and how seeds grow into the foods we eat.
• Veggie U Hands-on science program for grades 3-5 empowering students to grow vegetables in classroom gardens while learning about nutrition and sustainability.
• Tower Power Lab-based aeroponic tower program for K-12 students exploring plant science, sustainability, and vertical growing systems.
• Young Entrepreneurs Program (YEP) Program empowering middle and high school students to build real businesses using locally grown ingredients, from concept to marketplace.
• In the Fields Fully funded field trips taking students onto working farms for hands-on agricultural education experiences.
• Localicious Art & Recipe Contest Statewide competition challenging students to reimagine school lunch using local ingredients through original recipes and artwork.
• HAF Ag Park at Kunia 280-acre agricultural park on the Kunia Plains providing farmers with access to land, infrastructure, and technical support for diversified agriculture.
• Hele Imua Internship Program Agriculture apprentice pilot program connecting college students with small farms for paid hands-on training through a 12-week workforce development initiative.
• Localicious Heroes Video series spotlighting Hawaiʻi's farmers, ranchers, fishermen, and food producers through short films and storytelling.
• Hawaiʻi Farmers Disaster Relief Fund Emergency fund providing grants to farmers, ranchers, fishers, and agricultural businesses impacted by natural disasters, which raised over $500,000 for 2026 Kona Low storm recovery.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than $500,000 raised and distributed to farmers, ranchers, fishers, and agricultural businesses through disaster relief
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 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

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Hawaii Farm BureaucoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Hawaii Farm Bureau collaborates with HAF on the Hawaii Farmers Disaster Relief Fund and other agricultural initiatives, providing relief grants to farmers, ranchers, fishers, and agricultural businesses.
• Kyo-ya Hotels & ResortsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Kyo-ya Hotels & Resorts ran a Burgers & Mai Tais fundraising promotion at its Waikiki and Maui properties, raising more than $50,000 for the Hawaii Farmers Disaster Relief Fund.
• Hawaii News NowminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Hawaii News Now included HAF as a beneficiary of its ALOHA for HAWAII fundraiser, helping raise both awareness and critical funding for flood recovery efforts following the 2026 Kona Low storms.
• Kunia Village Development CorporationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Kunia Village Development Corporation partnered with local agricultural businesses to launch the Kōkua Kunia fundraising campaign to support Kunia farmers whose land was destroyed by recent wildfires.
• State of Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025HAF partnered with DLIR and Ulupono Initiative to launch the Hele Imua Agriculture Apprentice Pilot Program, a 12-week workforce development initiative connecting college students with small farms for paid training.
• Island Palm CommunitiescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2011Island Palm Communities partnered with HAF to establish the Ag Park at Kunia in July 2011. Together, they set aside 280 acres on the Kunia Plains on Central Oahu to support diversified agriculture and strengthen Hawaii's food security.
• BayercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2011Bayer partnered with HAF and Island Palm Communities to establish the Ag Park at Kunia in July 2011, contributing to the 280-acre agricultural development supporting diversified farming in Hawaii.
• Central Pacific BankcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCentral Pacific Bank is a Gold sponsor and presenter of EAT THINK DRINK events, supporting HAF's signature speaker series and agricultural community engagement programs.
• Hawaii GascoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHawaii Gas is a Silver sponsor and presented the inaugural Localicious School Kitchen Cook-off, supporting efforts to increase locally sourced food in Hawaii schools.
• State of HawaiicoreGTM or Marketing PartnerState of Hawaii is a Diamond sponsor of HAF, supporting the foundation's mission to cultivate a food-secure and resilient Hawaii.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• FoodCorps: National nonprofit connecting children to healthy food through school-based service programs. Comparable to HAF's K-12 agricultural education portfolio (Veggie U, Tower Power, Where Would We Be Without Seeds, In the Fields) and farm-to-school mission; broader geographic reach.
• Center for Rural Affairs: National nonprofit supporting rural communities, small agriculture, and sustainable rural development. Comparable in operating model (small nonprofit, grant-funded, programmatic support to farmers) and community-level engagement focus.
• National Young Farmers Coalition: National nonprofit building a network of young farmers and advocating for agricultural policy that supports them. Comparable to HAF's Hele Imua Internship Program and broader farmer-support mission; operates at national rather than Hawaii scale.

Broad incumbents

• Farm Aid: National nonprofit that supports family farmers through fundraising, advocacy, and farmer-resilience programs. Comparable to HAF in nonprofit operating model, farmer-support mission, and use of signature events (Farm Aid concert vs. EAT THINK DRINK) to raise funds and awareness; broader geographic scope.
• American Farmland Trust: National nonprofit focused on farmland preservation, farmer viability, and agricultural policy advocacy. Comparable to HAF in protecting agricultural land as a strategic resource, supporting farmers, and operating farmer-services programs (e.g., Brighter Future Fund grants parallel Hawaii Farmers Disaster Relief Fund).

Others

• AgriCorps: Nonprofit that connects agriculture professionals to international development and youth agricultural education programs. Adjacent to HAF in its emphasis on agricultural education, farmer training, and youth engagement, though operating internationally rather than regionally.

Regional players

• Hawaii Community Foundation: Hawaii's largest community foundation managing charitable assets and grantmaking statewide. Comparable as a Hawaii-based philanthropic institution with similar donor relationships and regional focus; supports HAF as a sponsor and partners on broader community initiatives.

Direct peers

• Ulupono Initiative: Hawaii-based philanthropic initiative investing in sustainable food systems, locally produced energy, and waste reduction. Directly comparable to HAF in geography, mission focus on Hawaii agriculture and food security, and operating model as a grantmaking/convener organization; partners with HAF on the Hele Imua workforce program.
• Hawaii Farm Bureau: Hawaii's primary agricultural advocacy and membership organization representing farmers, ranchers, and producers statewide. Directly comparable as the state's leading agricultural community organization; actively partners with HAF on the Hawaii Farmers Disaster Relief Fund.
• The Kohala Center: Hawaii Island-based independent nonprofit focused on agricultural research, education, and community resilience. Comparable to HAF in operating a farmer-support and community-engagement portfolio within Hawaii and serving as a convener for sustainability and food system initiatives.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hiagfdn

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Hawaii Agricultural Foundation