ChangeMakers Hawaiʻi is poised to disburse its first two emerging Native CDFI microloans to two Hawaiʻi Island Businesses, Hiro’s Cookies and Torres Farm.

Bryson Hiro, the founder of Hiro’s Cookies and Sofia Chung of Torres Farm successfully completed ChangeMakers Hawaiʻi’s ʻĀinapreneur Rural Business Development program aimed at small businesses and entrepreneurs in Hawaiʻi.

They both mark the inaugural beneficiaries of microloans from ChangeMakers Hawaiʻi’s emerging Native Community Development Financial Institution.

SAVE THE DATE

Each recipient will be presented with their check on Thursday, November 16, 2023, at 4:00pm, during a ceremony held at the Change Center Hawaiʻi in downtown Hilo. The event is open to the public and provides a unique opportunity for the community to witness the impact of CMH’s ʻĀinapreneur program.

WHAT IS ʻĀINAPRENEURS?

The ʻĀinapreneur Rural Business Development program fosters an environment that honors people, communities, the environment, and the rich heritage of Hawaiian language, culture, and values. It offers a comprehensive approach to rural business development, including low-interest rate revolving loans and small business start-up training.

The program is a 12-week, small business, hybrid training that starts with a two-day, in-person intensive cohort followed by weekly online course work. The next ʻĀinapreneur cohort begins January 8, 2024.

For more information about Changemakers Hawaiʻi and our ʻĀinapreneur Rural Business Development program, visit this page.