Hawai‘i students turn local ingredients into unique products through entrepreneurial program

Hawai‘i public schools students are transforming locally sourced ingredients into market-ready products as part of the Young Entrepreneurs Program, an initiative sponsored by the Hawai‘i Agricultural Foundation.

News release from Hawaii DoE, 03-Mar-2025

Hawai‘i public schools students are transforming locally sourced ingredients – such as taro, pineapples, bananas, macadamia nuts, honey and liliko‘i – into market-ready products as part of the Young Entrepreneurs Program, an initiative sponsored by the Hawai‘i Agricultural Foundation.

The program provides middle and high school students from 20 schools with hands-on experience in launching and managing their own business. From crafting business plans and managing budgets to producing, packaging, marketing and fulfilling customer orders, students gain real-world entrepreneurial skills. With start-up funding based on their business plans, they operate their ventures, generating revenue that is reinvested into their schools.

To showcase their creations, the Hawai‘i Agricultural Foundation has launched an online marketplace featuring an array of student-made products including ‘ulu chips, lollipops, skincare products and more. Featured items include:

• Starfruit and pineapple marmalade crafted by students at Henry Perrine Baldwin High
• Butterfly pea tea blended by Kaimukī Middle students
• Shave ice syrup infused with lilikoi and roselle hibiscus created by Henry J. Kaiser High students

Now through March 31, the public can support these student entrepreneurs by purchasing their products online, with pick-up available at the Kapi‘olani Community College Farmers Market on Saturday, April 12. School pick-up options may also be arranged.

To explore the marketplace and place an order, visit www.hafyepmarketplace.com.