Community Tourism Collaborative - Regenerative Experiences Program

HTA 2024 CTC - Regenerative Experiences Program Cohort

This year, fifteen organizations have been chosen for the Regenerative Experiences Program, with direct funding to seed their regenerative transformation ranging from $20,000 to $35,000. These funds will be used to develop and enhance visitor experiences that are deeply rooted in the principles of regenerative tourism. By participating in this program, organizations will create market-ready activities that foster reciprocal relationships between residents and visitors, ensuring that the benefits of tourism are shared by all.

Aloha with Touch Kauaʻi

Islandwide, Kaua‘i


Ancient Leaf Tea

Onomea Bay, Pāpaʻikou, Hawaiʻi Island


Anelakai

Keauhou Bay, Kona, Hawaiʻi Island


Common Ground Kauaʻi

Kapaʻa, Kauaʻi


Hāna Arts
Hāna, Maui


Hoʻi Hoʻi Ea
Waikāne, Kāneʻohe, Oʻahu


Honpa Hongwanji Hawaiʻi Betsuin
Honolulu & Waiʻanae, Oʻahu


KAʻEHU

Paukūkalo, Wailuku, Maui


Kahuku Farms
Kahuku, Oʻahu


Kuilima Farm

Kahuku, Oʻahu

Mahina Farms Maui

ʻĪao, Wailuku, Maui


Men of PAʻA
Pāhoa, Puna, Hawaiʻi Island


Moloka‘i Land Trust

Kaunakakai, Molokaʻi


North Shore EcoTours

Haleʻiwa, Waialua, Oʻahu

Tea Hawaiʻi & Company

Volcano Village, Puna, Hawaiʻi Island

Program Info

NOTE: APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2024 REGENERATIVE EXPERIENCE COHORT ARE NOW CLOSED

The hoʻiwai is the point in the loʻi kalo system where water exits the system and returns to the main stream. The hoʻiwai is paramount to the regenerative values of the loʻi kalo system, in that it does not consume water, but restores water in a better condition than it was received. The hoʻiwai ensures that the flow of water is unbroken from mountain to ocean and supports thriving life downstream.

The Regenerative Experiences Program instills these values by supporting visitor experiences that, as the name suggests, returns resources to our island way of life. In a push against mere consumption, the program promotes visitor experiences that are regenerative, and thus, sustainable for Hawaiʻi and its residents. This program will support organizations in developing, improving, or building experiences that seek to center the reciprocal relationships between kamaʻāina and visitors, people and ʻāina, in a way that meets community needs while attracting mindful travelers and continuing a lifelong relationship of mālama ʻāina, cultural learning, and deep aloha.

Organizations selected for the program are invited to join our cohort of mission-aligned, and regenerative driven businesses and organizations for the development of these regenerative visitor experiences. A Regenerative Experience Plan (REP) will be developed by each organization in partnership with cultural, environmental, and regenerative experts to ensure that a market-ready regenerative activity is created that can be implemented quickly and seamlessly by the organization.

In addition to the technical assistance and capacity building opportunities for their organization, members of both cohorts may apply for one-time direct funding that will allow them to grow their regenerative experiences, expand their capacity, and seed their growth. More information on the direct funding opportunity can be found in the “Funding” section of this document. The funding opportunity associated with this program is meant to empower organizations with opportunities that will enable them to implement regenerative visitor experiences, become more regenerative in their business practices, and support local people by operating organizations that balance the visitor industry with the needs of their community and ʻāina.

Eligibility & Information

NOTE: APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2024 REGENERATIVE EXPERIENCE COHORT ARE NOW CLOSED

  • Applicants may be: existing regenerative experience providers seeking to expand or include visitors, existing visitor experiences seeking to become more regenerative, or existing organizations seeking to develop a regenerative visitor experience. Applicants are encouraged to consider how their experience strengthens opportunities for a reciprocal relationship between kamaʻāina and malihini, as well as between all people and ʻāina. Applicants must be registered to do business in the State of Hawaiʻi as a for-profit business, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Hawaiʻi non-profit, or entity that is organized for purposes other than profit in Hawaiʻi. Applicants must also be able to provide a Hawaiʻi Express Compliance certificate at the time of the award.

    Multiple proposals from an organization for different and separate programs may be submitted and will be reviewed and considered independently of one other. In order to ensure resources are available to support a range of organizations, there will be some limitations on awards:

    • An applicant may only apply for funding from one (1) of the Community Tourism Collaborative programs (CTC - Community Stewardship and CTC - Regenerative Experiences) for the same project/program.

    • If an applicant applies to both CTC programs, they may only be accepted into one, depending on space.

    • A project/program may not receive funding concurrently from multiple HTA programs. [Ex. If an organization received 2024 ʻUmeke funding for a project/program, that same project/program will not be eligible for these CTCs for 2024.]

    Applications must include:

    • All applications must be submitted online and respond to all questions and budget forms.

    • Applicant’s Articles of Incorporation (preferred) or other documentation such as Bylaws that verify the person(s) authorized to sign legal documents on behalf of the organization.

  • The following criteria will be considered in reviewing applications to determine the appropriate fit and eligibility for the CTC Regenerative Experiences program, funding request, and consultant support. Evaluators may take into account the written application, follow-up interviews, consultation with subject matter experts, and any other information that helps to inform these criteria. In making a final selection of cohort members, evaluation scores will be one element of selection. The final cohort may also take into consideration representation among geographic regions, diversity of projects, availability of consultants, and the overall feasibility of the project to meet timing and funding requirements.

    The preference will be to provide selected applicants the full funding requested as well as the two identified priority consultants; however, the program may make a different offer depending upon availability and fit. Selected applicants will also need to meet the eligibility requirements as outlined in the application. At the discretion of the program administrator, technical corrections may be allowed during the evaluation process.

Timeline/Commitment

Funding Opportunity

  • Cohort members may apply for direct funding to create and implement their new regenerative experience and to provide seed funds to affect regenerative change in their organization. Applicants must be able to quantify and project the future benefits of the product(s) or service(s) that the direct funding will produce. Direct funding awards may average $25,000 and must be spent by December 1, 2024.

    Matching funds are not required for this funding opportunity.

    The following activities are not eligible for funding:

    • Business or organizational start-up plans;

    • Fundraising events (an event to raise money for your organization or a specific cause);

    • Litigation efforts;

    • Endowments;

    • Real Property, fixtures, and durable goods over $2,500;

    • Capital improvements;

    • Conferences/Conventions;

    • Prize money;

    • Merchandising (HTA funds to purchase goods (e.g. T-shirts) which will be resold for a profit);

    • Projects receiving funding from other HTA programs for the year 2025, including, but not limited to, the HTA’s Kūkulu Ola Program, Signature Events, Resort Area Hawaiian Culture Initiatives, and Destination Management Plans (DMAP);

    • Projects receiving State Grants-In-Aid (GIA) funds. If GIA funds are received for a different project, the organization can still apply to this opportunity;

    • Reimbursement for pre-award expenditures or costs before September 1, 2024; and

    • Sum of goods purchased may not exceed 20% of total award funds.

Regenerative Experience Plan (REP)

  • The Regenerative Experience Plan (REP) is a working, living, document that creates the framework and outline for a new regenerative experience that can be implemented and sustained by a business or organization based on their current capacity (i.e., with their current staffing, funding, resources, infrastructure, timing, and limitations). The REP will take the “Visitor Readiness Checklist” one step further by ensuring that these newly created regenerative experiences are designed to ensure that the activity can be implemented quickly and seamlessly by the business or organization.

The REP will be developed in partnership with the selected organizations with the support of regenerative experience experts that will consult in the following areas:

Culture & History

Every regenerative experience operating in Hawaiʻi should include and respect place-based culture and history moʻolelo. This offers both kamaʻāina and malihini the opportunity to learn about the place that they are in, the history of that place, the ʻāina that they are on, and the people and stories of that wahi pana.

Circular Economy

An important aspect of regenerative experiences throughout Hawaiʻi is their ability to support the local economy in as many facets of their operations as possible. This may include but is not limited to: incorporating locally-produced and locally-sourced elements into supply chains, giving back to the community they are operating in, sustʻāinable and eco-friendly elements, hiring from within the local community, etc.

ʻĀina Stewardship

A truly regenerative experience must include environmental stewardship, regenerative activities, and elements that benefit the ʻāina that the new experience impacts - including adjacent and surrounding communities. Regenerative experiences seek to be pono in their relationship with ‘āina.

Safety & Protocol

All regenerative experiences that are open to visitors should provide for the necessary safety protocol for hosting visitors and ensuring that activities are well organized and safe. Such elements may include but are not limited to: emergency evacuation procedures, proper incident reports, necessary safety equipment, etc.

Business Strategy

There are strategic business decisions that will need to be made along the journey to creating a new regenerative experience. These must be thought through and intentionally decided with the regenerative model in mind. This is imperative to ensure that businesses operating regeneratively continue to prosper and grow throughout Hawaiʻi.

Marketing & Industry Connection

Once a new regenerative product is designed and developed, moʻolelo must be created to include: information about the activity, the place in which it will be hosted, the experience visitors will have, the people involved, the communities impacted, etc. After developing the moʻolelo, this experience must be marketed and shared with others in the industry to let people know that this experience exists, to gain partnerships, etc. Insight will be provided on who to connect to for B2B, B2C, Wholesale, Travel Trade, etc. and how to work with these sectors to bring these new products to market.

Learn More

NOTE: APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2024 COMMUNITY STEWARDSHIP COHORT ARE NOW CLOSED

One Page

Program Packet

Addendum

Slide Deck

Info Session

The Addendum above includes changes, omissions, and clarifications to the Program Packet for the Community Tourism Collective - Regenerative Tourism Program (hereinafter referred to as the “Program Packet”). All other terms, provisions, and conditions of the Solicitation published on July 1, 2024, shall remain in full force and effect. Applicants should look at the FAQ section below that may provide further clarification in response to questions received. Any changes to the program will be made through an Addendum.

FAQ

  • Applications are only accepted online through the Technical Assistance and Capacity Building (TACB) Program website. Visit http://www.regenerativetourismhawaii.info to submit your application.

  • All applicants must be registered to do business in the State of Hawaiʻi as a for-profit business, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Hawaiʻi non-profit, or entity that is organized for purposes other than profit in Hawaiʻi. Applicants must also be able to provide a Hawaiʻi Express Compliance certificate at the time of the award.

    Applicants may be existing regenerative experience providers seeking to expand or include visitors, existing visitor experiences seeking to become more regenerative, or existing organizations seeking to develop a regenerative visitor experience.

    While non-profit organizations stewarding DMAP-identified hotspots are eligible to apply for this program, we encourage these organizations to check out the CTC - Community Stewardship program to see if they are a good fit. Applicants are not eligible to receive direct funding from both programs.

  • Organizations who have received direct funding from the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority are eligible to apply for this program, however they are not eligible for direct funding for projects/programs that are currently being funded by HTA. Different projects/programs operated by the organization are eligible for direct funding.

    • 7/1/24: Application opens

    • 7/17/24: Virtual community session - including question and answer opportunity

    • 7/31/24: Application closes

    • 8/16/24: Selected applicants are notified of inclusion in the program cohort

    • 9/2/24: Cohort activities begin, including virtual/in-person workshops, professional consultation opportunities, and direct funding disbursement

    • 12/1/24: Cohort activities end; all funds must be spent by this date

    • 12/31/24: Final report deadline

  • Cohort selections will be made by a team of evaluators who will read, evaluate, and score all applications. Organizations will be notified of the decision of the committee on August 16, 2024.

  • Direct funding will be disbursed in two rounds:

    • September 2024: A portion of requested and approved funds will be disbursed to cohort members. There is no requirement for this disbursement aside from acceptance into the cohort and approval of the original funding request.

    • January 2024: Remaining percentage of requested and approved funds will be disbursed to cohort members only upon submission of the final report. Although these funds will be disbursed in January, all approved program funds must be spent by December 1, 2024. This requires that organizations front the final percentage of requested funds, then receive reimbursement.

  • No. However, average funding is anticipated to be averaging $25,000. Additional explanation should be provided if applying well outside the range. Organizations should be ready with their project, demonstrate capacity to implement immediately, and ability to execute the project within the time and funding available.

  • We encourage organizations to apply for projects that they believe to be experiences for visitors that are regenerative for Hawaiʻi communities and ecosystems. Experiences that have a reciprocal relationship with Hawaiʻi and its people will help to attract the type of visitors that are mindful and interested in experiences that enrich Hawaiʻi and visitors in return. Offered only as examples and not to limit your creativity, projects might include:

    • Land stewardship efforts looking to add new voluntourism opportunities

    • Activities seeking to add culturally and historically driven tours or programs

    • Accommodations wanting to develop ʻāina stewardship, local purchasing, and other regenerative experiences

    • Cultural programs, historical sites, or arts centers seeking to partner with visitor groups

    • Creation of activities that will support a community need that visitors can volunteer to support

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