The Hoʻomāhua initiative

Harnessing Smart, Regenerative, Community-Based Tourism to create thriving  communities

OUR VISION to create a thriving community

LATEST NEWS

13FEB23: Mayor Richard Bissen fully executes the Grant Agreement G5717 to establish the Hoʻomāhua Initiative - Maui Pilot Project!

28APR22: County Council Members Shane Sinenci, Kelly King, and Tamara Paltin set aside funds to launch a pilot project of the Smart Tourism system! In total $85k has been slated for FY23 in the budget but still must pass a vote. Funds projected - $10k East Maui, $25k South Maui, $50k West Maui. Project sites are being identified and consultations are underway!

21MAR22: After months of hard work to apply for County funds for a grant writer to apply for the EDA ARPA grant, we, unfortunately, lost too much time and must wait for the next round of funding. In the meantime, we will work to identify a pilot project that can help in proving the concept of Smart Tourism to better our community.

16NOV21: The Ohana Ekolu team met with Maui Mayor Victorino where he pledged his support for the Initiative! We will be working with his staff members and applying for a grant with the county to hire a grant writer so that we can apply for the EDA ARPA Indigenous Community grant! Partners In Development Foundation (PIDF) will come on board as the project fiscal sponsor.

05NOV21: The Maui County Council unanimously adopts CR21-97 supporting the implementation of The Hoʻomāhua Initiative

Hoʻo.mā.hua 

To increase, expand, enlarge, multiply, grow. 

Hoʻomāhua i kona waiwai, to increase its value, wealth. 

UPCOMING

NEXT STEPS

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

PROGRESS

Click Image to read resolution 21-170

resolution passes FULL COUNCIL VOTE!

On Friday, November 5, 2021, The Maui County Council voted unanimously to pass CR21-97, the County Resolution in support of The Hoʻomāhua Initiative!

We would like to thank the guidance of Councilmembers Kelly King and Shane Sinenci in the process to make this happen. We would like to especially acknowledge past Councilmember Elle Cochran who during her term prepared the way four years ago so that a proposal like ours may be approved. Elle has been a great supporter and stakeholder of The Hoʻomāhua Initiative as well.

resolution passes CARE committee

On Wednesday, September 29, 2021 The Maui County Council's Climate Action, Resilience, and Environment Committee (CARE) Chair Councilmember Kelly King invited Ohana Ekolu LLC to formally present The Hoʻomāhua Initiative to the committee and drafted a resolution from the committee urging Mayor Michael Victorino to support the initiative.

After receiving public testimony and presentation, the committee than deliberated the resolution and voted 7-0 in unanimous support of the resolution "Urging Mayor Michael Victorino to support The Hoʻomāhua Initiative". 

invitation to address the maui county council care committee

ABOUT

Purpose-why


Vision-what


Mission-how

Smart Tourism?

Smart Tourism™ is a blending of web and mobile applications featuring software using artificial intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Geographic Information System Mapping (GIS) for use in software development, machine learning, and spatial and location recognition for the tourism industry.

In short, Smart Tourism™ is a holistic data-driven concept built on proven technology delivering a tool connecting tourists to the community.


regenerative Tourism?

Regenerative Tourism is the positive contributions made by tourists while vacationing. It is a relationship where tourists volunteer and make purchasing decisions to support indigenous communities and locally owned businesses that contributes to the cultural perpetuation, beautification, and resources of an area.

Circular economy?

A circular economy is when money stays in Hawaiʻi and circulates within the community going from tourists and flowing in a circle between local businesses and residents.  


By keeping money in Hawaiʻi and shopping locally owned businesses, more wealth will stay home creating opportunities for creative growth, jobs, and prosperity to areas.

data-driven solutions?

Objective data is trustworthy, transparent, and unbiased. It provides the intelligence required for planners and decision-makers to make relevant and timely decisions that address needs within communities and enables pro-active solutions.

GOALS



Reference: 

# Objectives: Defines the goals with intended outcomes  

Measures: Quantitive or qualitative measures to define the objectives and evolve based on resources

advance native hawaiian economic resiliency

Objectives & Measures

perpetuatE native hawaiian culture

Objectives & Measures


improve Tourism management & community planning

Objectives & Measures

grow THE hawaiʻi circular economy

Objectives & Measures

positively impact communities

Objectives & Measures

STRATEGY

5 phase plan to launch and grow the initiative.

NOW AUG-OCT 2021

Support Phase

Objective: Gain support and necessary stakeholders to develop the initiative. 


Purpose: Build a team of stakeholders and grow support to launch the initiative and strive for the vision of harnessing smart, regenerative tourism to create thriving communities. 


Tasks:

In Progress


Complete


NEXT OCT-NOV 2021

Research Phase

Objective: Gather research necessary to strengthen grant applications and gain support for the initiative.


Purpose: Continue the work started by Save Honolua Coalition and Makai Watch to educate visitors on the marine preserve, flora and fauna, area history, and Kanaka Maoli-Native Hawaiian culture. We will look to identify best practices in order to replicate our success in other areas.


Task 1: Start initiative at Honolua Ahupuaʻa with two education tables at the entrance and shoreline of Honolua Bay.


Education Table:


Compile & Report

develop phase

Objective: Develop the required partnerships and logistics necessary to launch and sustain the initiative.


Purpose: Enable a successful launch and sustainment of the initiative through adequate funding, in-kind donations, and volunteer services.


Task 1: Apply for the EDA ARPA Indigenous Community grant, additional grant opportunities, and conduct donation campaigns.


Funding:


FOLLOWING DEC 2021-JUL 2024

IMPLEMENT phase

IMPLEMENT: With funding and resources, deliver on the goals, objectives, and measures.

AFTER JUL 2024

Grow phase

GROW: Sustain and expand initiative with grants, donations, and revenue generation in partnership with nonprofits, businesses, and government.

STAKEHOLDERS

COMMUNITY & CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS

NĀ MEA ʻIKE ʻIA

A 501(c)(3) Native Hawaiian serving, youth development nonprofit organization. NMII has taken the lead to develop the initiative and work with stakeholders to see it through.

VISIT WEBSITE

shc

Formed to protect Honolua and preserve its natural resources. SHC was successful in its key goal to establish the area as a preserve. 

VISIT SITE

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS

HIPPE

Hawaiian Islands Professional Pannel of Experts providing financial and business literacy

VISIT SITE

KEDA

The Kanaka Economic Development Alliance is formed to grow relationships between Native Hawaiian businesses and resources to grow their business. KEDA features a valuable searchable website for the public to easily find Native Hawaiian businesses.

VISIT WEBSITE

TECHNOLOGY SERVICES

OHANA EKOLU LLC

Provider of Smart Tourism™ services and technology

VISIT WEBSITE

bay park data solutions

Our app development partner with over 30 years of experience in the GIS field and is an official Esri Nonprofit service provider.

VISIT WEBSITE