Foundational Technical Assistance Program
Program Info
For generations, acres of loʻi kalo fed the people of Hawaiʻi. The regenerative water system created centuries of successful farming throughout the pae ʻāina. The loʻi kalo system borrowed water from streams, nourished kalo fields, and returned the water saturated with nutrients from the fertile ecosystem. The system returned the water in a better condition than it was received. Even if the system ended there, it would have been regenerative. However, the water system's regeneration continued downstream. The nutrient-rich water fed ʻoʻopu, iʻa, and limu in the streams. Not only were these gathered and eaten, but even further downstream these momona ʻoʻopu, iʻa, and limu fed schools of larger iʻa and other seafood in the loko iʻa system creating even more opportunities for sustenance and a food security system that fed thousands of families for hundreds of generations.
When water leaves the main stream and enters the loʻi kalo system, it first passes through the poʻowai. The poʻowai, literally, the “head waters,” describes the water’s entrance to the loʻi kalo system. It is a foundational aspect of this regenerative system, providing an introduction to resources that feed and nourish the entire ecosystem. The Foundational Technical Assistance program similarly invites local businesses to engage with resources to support local products, the ecosystems they in turn feed, and operations that can be regenerative in how they operate - feeding Hawaiʻi’s people, communities, food systems, and more, so that the waiwai generated through this industry stays home.
The FTA - Foundational Technical Assistance program focused on providing access to resources that help local businesses and organizations working in the visitor industry. Informed by input provided by 921 organizations through a 2024 Needs Assessment, workshops, speaker series, and resource fairs were held in mokupuni across Hawaiʻi, tailored to the unique needs on host islands. These events were free and open to all interested participants, centering examples from within the respective communities, and include topics such as market understanding, marketing and promotion resources, cultural program development and training, wholesale and retail markets, and employee opportunities. Strengthening connections within the industry was a core thread throughout all events.
Workshops
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Wednesday, July 24, 2024 | Hawaiʻi Convention Center
This workshop focuses on helping businesses and organizations who either want to work in- or currently work in Hawaiʻi’s visitor industry establish connections between to broader visitor industry throughout Oʻahu. The panel featured experts and success stories from within the industry and offers businesses and organizations who want to grow in the industry the opportunity to learn from and be inspired by those who have paved the road to a regenerative tourism model for Hawaiʻi.
This workshop was initially held in-person on Oʻahu and invited attendees to take advantage of opportunities beyond this panel discussion to network with and build relationships with partners and others throughout the visitor industry.
Monday, July 29, 2024 | Maui Arts & Cultural Center
This workshop focuses on helping businesses and organizations who either want to work in- or currently work in Hawaiʻi’s visitor industry establish connections between to broader visitor industry throughout Maui Nui including the islands of Maui, Molokaʻi, and Lānaʻi. The panel featured experts and success stories from within the industry and offers businesses and organizations who want to grow in the industry the opportunity to learn from and be inspired by those who have paved the road to a regenerative tourism model for Hawaiʻi.
This workshop was initially held in-person on Maui and invited attendees to take advantage of opportunities beyond this panel discussion to network with and build relationships with partners and others throughout the visitor industry.
Tuesday, July 30, 2024 | Maui Arts & Cultural Center
This workshop focuses on helping businesses and organizations who either want to work in- or currently work in Hawaiʻi’s visitor industry deep dive into marketing to and within the industry throughout Maui Nui including the islands of Maui, Molokaʻi, and Lānaʻi. The panel featured marketing experts from across Hawaiʻi to demonstrate a variety of marketing tools and techniques to spark ideas and engage discussions about marketing to and within the Maui Nui visitor industry.
This workshop was initially held in-person on Maui and invited attendees to take advantage of opportunities beyond this panel discussion to network with and build relationships with businesses and entities that offered various marketing services or connections, such as moʻolelo building, website development, cultural appropriateness, and many more.
Wednesday, August 21, 2024 | Kauaʻi Community College
This workshop focuses on helping businesses and organizations who either want to work in- or currently work in Hawaiʻi’s visitor industry establish connections between to broader visitor industry throughout Kauaʻi. The panel featured experts and success stories from within the industry and offers businesses and organizations who want to grow in the industry the opportunity to learn from and be inspired by those who have paved the road to a regenerative tourism model for Hawaiʻi.
This workshop was initially held in-person on Kauaʻi and invited attendees to take advantage of opportunities beyond this panel discussion to network with and build relationships with partners and others throughout the visitor industry.
Monday, August 26, 2024 | Virtually (Hosted at Kona Salt Farm)
This workshop focuses on helping businesses and organizations who either want to work in- or currently work in Hawaiʻi’s visitor industry establish connections between to broader visitor industry throughout Hawaiʻi Island. The panel featured experts and success stories from within the industry and offers businesses and organizations who want to grow in the industry the opportunity to learn from and be inspired by those who have paved the road to a regenerative tourism model for Hawaiʻi.
This workshop was held virtually.
Tuesday, August 27, 2024 | Virtually (Hosted at the Mokupāpapa Discovery Center)
This workshop focuses on helping businesses and organizations who either want to work in- or currently work in Hawaiʻi’s visitor industry deep dive into culture, it’s use, it’s inclusion, it’s appropriateness, and its place within the visitor industry on Hawaiʻi Island. The panel featured cultural experts, kumu, and cultural consultants from across the pae ʻāina to talk about the ways in which they have engaged with the visitor industry and share best practices for businesses in promoting and perpetuating authentic cultural and historical incorporation throughout Hawaiʻi.
This workshop was held virtually.
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