MEO awards $40,000 to five business plans
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Five business plans developed by graduates of Maui Economic Opportunity’s July and August Core Four Business Planning Course have been selected to receive a total of $40,000 in grants.
The grants were made possible by the Maui County Office of Economic Development, using district funds from the office of the former Maui County Council Member Tasha Kama, who passed away in October 2025.
The five-week course graduated 22 students, with 10 business plans submitted for consideration in the competitive grant selection process. The top two plans received $10,000 each, third place received $8,000, and fourth and fifth place received $6,000 each.
The grant recipients are:
• Prepared 4 Purpose LLC -- Mikaela Blando and Malia Provonsha ($10,000): An employee development company that helps businesses strengthen practical workplace skills through hands-on learning experiences.
• Uncle Pocho’s Bakery LLC -- Casey Kahoʻohanohano ($10,000): A home-based microbakery in Kīhei specializing in artisan European-style sourdough and Portuguese sweet breads.
• Elua Doulas LLC -- Ginger Yniguez and Rose Amico ($8,000): A Maui-based partnership supporting families through pregnancy, birth and early postpartum.
• Savanh LLC -- Aleesha Sipasert ($6,000): A specialty product wholesale and retail business.
• KK Cleaning Services LLC -- Georgena Chung-Sasada ($6,000): A Molokai-based business providing commercial and residential cleaning services.
“The number of complete and thorough business plans submitted for this award shows the commitment and energy the students put into their start-up businesses,” said David Daly, director of MEO’s Business Development Center. “This award was very competitive, with 10 plans submitted for review and only five winners. I look forward to watching these businesses grow.”
Offered through MEO’s Business Development Center, the Core Four Business Planning Course helps aspiring entrepreneurs and existing business owners develop business plans and gain the skills needed to start, operate and grow a business. Graduates have the opportunity to submit their plans for consideration for grant funding.
For more information about the course, call (808) 249-2990 or visit meoinc.org/programs-services/business-development-center/core-four/.