{"id":42660,"date":"2025-01-31T18:16:45","date_gmt":"2025-01-31T23:16:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/test.greenmoney.com\/2025\/?p=42660"},"modified":"2025-02-10T22:20:13","modified_gmt":"2025-02-11T03:20:13","slug":"rooted-in-aloha-aina-how-indigenous-innovations-are-transforming-hawaii","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.greenmoney.com\/2025\/rooted-in-aloha-aina-how-indigenous-innovations-are-transforming-hawaii\/","title":{"rendered":"Indigenous Values Seed Systems Transformation in Hawai’i"},"content":{"rendered":"
> Back to February 2025 Issue<\/a><\/div>\n
Above: <\/em>Enterprise participants from (L to R) Sust’ainable Molokai, GoFarm Hawai’i, ‘Aina Ho’okupu o Kilauea and Polipoli Farms gather at Ala Kukui in Maui for a meeting of HIR\u2019s Hawai’i Food Systems Accelerator. The program highlights enterprises\u2019 roles within a larger ecosystem, recognizing that diversity and interconnectedness are essential drivers of systemic change (Photo by Kim Moa, Courtesy of HIR)<\/em><\/h5>\n

\"Keoni<\/span><\/p>\n

In the dynamic landscape of impact investing, systemic and bioregional investing approaches are emerging as transformative models for regenerative economic development. Hawai’i, with its rich biocultural heritage and unique geographic and ecological significance, provides a fertile demonstration ground for place-based solutions with global relevance.<\/p>\n

At the forefront of this movement are innovators, community leaders, social entrepreneurs, and capital holders working toward a more just, resilient, and regenerative future. Weaving these networks of collaborators is Hawai’<\/em>i Investment Ready<\/em> (HIR), a non-profit impact investing intermediary with a bold mission to invest in Hawai’i\u2019s economic transformation by accelerating the coordination and collaboration of capital to seed and scale systemic solutions.<\/p>\n

By centering relationships, Indigenous expertise, adaptive leadership, and systems-based strategies rooted in cultural values, HIR is developing and prototyping systemic investing<\/a> and bioregional financing models<\/a> that empower community-driven solutions to Hawai’i\u2019s most pressing social and economic challenges and opportunities.<\/p>\n

Systems Problems Require Systems Solutions<\/h2>\n

As an island economy, challenges like food insecurity, over-reliance on imports and environmental degradation are magnified, posing existential threats. Transforming Hawai’i\u2019s economy is no small feat and conventional economic development approaches have failed for decades to manifest large-scale change. Overcoming the unique market challenges and barriers requires new leadership<\/a>, mindsets, tools, and investment approaches.<\/p>\n

After over a decade of catalyzing social enterprise in Hawai’i<\/a>, HIR continues to foster regenerative business models through its flagship program<\/a>. <\/em>The reimagined Hawai’<\/em>i Food Systems Accelerator <\/em>is the first Native-led accelerator in Hawai’i or the continental U.S. Its dual-cohort strategy and selection process prioritizes funders and enterprises committed to the iterative growth and experimentation critical to working in Hawai’i\u2019s complex ecosystems.<\/p>\n

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