Social Impact Entrepreneur of the Year - Finalists

Social Impact Entrepreneur of the Year Award 
The award is intended to honor an entrepreneur or entrepreneurial company that makes a substantial contribution to Hawaii. The award recipient will have contributed to non-profit organizations or community volunteer efforts. The Social Impact Entrepreneur of the Year Award celebrates those entrepreneurs and companies that have shown leadership, innovation and commitment to being a part of efforts to solve our state’s toughest problems.

 

GIVESPACE is a software platform that helps businesses easily integrate give-back campaigns to help meet a segment of its sustainability and social responsibility initiatives.

Maui Ku‘ia Estate Chocolate is a working cacao farm and chocolate factory located in beautiful Lahaina, Maui. MKEC was founded in 2015 by former biotech entrepreneur and full-time West Maui resident Dr. Gunars Valkirs with the goal of growing and making some of the world’s finest chocolate on Maui and then returning 100% of the net profit in cooperation with its wholesale corporate partners to Maui’s charities and nonprofit community.

Founded by educators in 2011, travel2change represented an innovation in Hawaii's tourism industry to connect locals with visitors at the center of fun and impact. Both a network and incubator, the organization continues to support and collaborate to make regenerative activities and service learning opportunities easy to book on their online platform.

NaHHA works to shape the future of Hawai‘i’s visitor industry by utilizing Hawaiian cultural values as the foundation for professional development and business leadership. Through consultation, training and networking, we support the people who provide authentic experiences to Hawaiʻi’s visitors.