OUR PROGRAMS

Commercial Kitchen Incubator Program

Starting 9/27/25: Kitchen Incubator Workshop Series

With generous support from Koi Pond Bridges, The Atherton Foundation, and Hawai‘i Community Foundation - West Hawai‘i Fund, we’re launching a FREE 9-month program from September, 2025 to May, 2026 to support local food entrepreneurs in building successful food businesses. Led by local experts, the workshop series will cover:

  • Regulatory compliance & permits

  • Product development

  • Branding & marketing

  • Budgeting & business planning

  • Hands-on kitchen training

  • One-on-one mentorship

Whether you're just getting started or ready to grow, this is your opportunity to gain expert support and practical skills!

Meet our Guest Educators

Alyssa Lee

AgBusiness Project Coordinator, GoFarm Hawaiʻi

Alyssa provides marketing training and consulting for GoFarm Hawaiʻi students and farmers statewide. A graduate of UH Mānoa and the GoFarm AgIncubator Program, she draws on her background in the food and beverage industry to help bring local products to the forefront of Hawaiʻi’s communities and markets.

Anthony Florig

Program Manager, Hawaiʻi Commercial Kitchens & Hoʻōla Farms

Anthony facilitates agriculture and business workshops with Hoʻōla Farms, supporting local farmers and value-added producers. He also manages Hawaiʻi Commercial Kitchens, providing free technical assistance, workshops, and resources to commercial kitchen facilities and food businesses in Hawaiʻi County.

Chef Dray Wilson

Private Chef

Chef Dray is passionate about transforming locally grown ingredients into unforgettable dining experiences. In 2010, he cooked alongside Jonathan Waxman and Ming Tsai at a James Beard event, which sparked his desire to develop the skills to cook at a Michelin star level. Today, he works closely with farmers and forages across Hawaiʻi to create flavorful food.

Erik Shimizu

AgBusiness Consultant, GoFarm Hawaiʻi

Erik provides training and consulting for GoFarm Hawaiʻi AgPro students and farmers across the state. A graduate of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, he has worked in large CPA firms and businesses specializing in accounting, as well as a global professional services firm as a management consultant.

Kailin Kim and Kai Hudgins

Founders, Hoʻōla Honey

Kailin and Kai are the founders of Hoʻōla Honey, a Kānaka-owned beekeeping business in North Kohala. Since 2016, they have rescued over 200 bee colonies across Hawaiʻi Island, supporting local farms through natural pollination. Their honey blends incorporate lāʻau, nourishing families and advancing food sovereignty.

Katie Neil

Director of Communications, Hoʻōla Farms

Katie leads communications at Hoʻōla Farms, combining her background in digital marketing with a passion for storytelling and impact-driven businesses. She supports local entrepreneurs in achieving their marketing and communication goals with creativity and strategy.

Workshop Calendar

Recipe for Success – 9 Workshops for Starting a Food Business

Open House: Come tour our NEW Commercial Kitchen!

Presenter: Maya Parish, Executive Director at Kohala Food Hub & Travis Travers, Kitchen Manager at Kohala Food Hub
Date: September 11, 2025 · 4–6pm

Workshop 1: Agribusiness Foundation & Development

Presenter: Anthony Florig, Hoʻōla Farms & Travis Travers, Kohala Food Hub
Date: September 27, 2025 · 1-3pm
Description: Master the fundamentals of starting a food business, navigate DOH permits and regulatory compliance, and understand cottage food operations and business structures.

Workshop 2: Business Planning Foundations 

Presenter: Erik Shimizu & Alyssa Lee (GoFarm Hawaiʻi)
Date: October 18, 2025 · 1-3pm
Description: Develop comprehensive business plans using SWOT analysis, market research, and competitive landscape assessment with hands-on planning tools.

Workshop 3: Financial Planning & Budget Management

Presenter: Erik Shimizu (GoFarm Hawaiʻi)
Date: November 22, 2025 · 1-3pm
Description: Learn cash flow projections, pricing strategies, break-even analysis, and funding sources with interactive financial modeling exercises.

Workshop 4: Value-Added Product Development

Presenter: Kailin Kim & Kai Hudgins (Hoʻōla Honey) + TBD
Date: December 2025
Description: Discover opportunities for value-added food and beverage products, explore packaging solutions, optimize process flow, and learn from successful local producers about scaling production.

Workshop 5: Food Truck Business Essentials 

Presenter: TBD (Multiple Local Food Truck Operators)
Date: January 2026
Description: Navigate mobile food vendor regulations, equipment needs, route planning, and marketing strategies for food truck success.

Workshop 6: Catering, Private Cheffing & Culinary Operations

Presenter: Chef Dray Wilson + TBD
Date: February 2026
Description: Master culinary operations & principles, menu development, kitchen management, compliance & regulation for local markets, catering 101, and hospitality principles for culinary and catering businesses.

Workshop 7: Brand Development & Design

Presenter: TBD (Brand Design Professionals)
Date: March 2026
Description: How to create a compelling brand identity and storytelling, logo design, visual consistency, and trademark basics to differentiate your food business in the market.

Workshop 8: Marketing & Distribution

Presenter: Katie Neil (Hoʻōla Farms) + TBD
Date: April 2026
Description: Build effective marketing strategies, social media presence, customer engagement, and distribution channels to grow your food business reach.

Workshop 9: Scaling & Growth Strategies

Presenter: TBD (Industry Expert Panel)
Date: May 2026
Description: Develop sustainable growth strategies, operational scaling systems, hear success stories, funding options, and advanced marketing for expanding your successful food business.

Have Questions?

Email us at kitchen@kohalafoodhub.com or call/text (808) 896-5636