The County of Maui Department of Agriculture (MDOA) has launched the FY2027 Niu, Kalo, ʻUlu Grant, a two-year agriculture and food-security opportunity supporting Maui County producers who establish or expand culturally significant cultivation of niu (coconut), kalo (taro), and/or ʻulu (breadfruit) while improving community access and affordability.
Funding and deadline
The controlling FY2027 grant solicitation states a funding amount of up to $50,000 and a two-year funding period using FY2027 and FY2028 appropriations. The County program webpage and September 18 press release describe the program as providing up to $50,000 per year; because the controlling solicitation itself states only “up to $50,000,” Atlas uses $50,000 as the currently defensible verified ceiling unless MDOA issues clarification. FY2028 funding remains subject to appropriation.
Applications are open as of September 23, 2026. The controlling FY2027 Grant Solicitation sets the application deadline at October 23, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. HST. The lower “How to Submit” block on the County webpage currently displays October 15, 2026, but the official Grant Guide expressly states that the timetable in the Grant Solicitation is the final timeline. Atlas therefore uses the controlling solicitation deadline of October 23, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. HST. A free online grant workshop is scheduled for September 24, 2026 from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. HST.
Who can apply
Projects must operate within the County of Maui. The MDOA grant guide allows Hawaiʻi for-profit organizations, IRS-recognized nonprofit organizations, and sole proprietors, subject to current State and Federal good-standing and County compliance requirements. The program is specifically aimed at farmers and producers across Maui, Molokaʻi, and Lānaʻi who will initiate or expand cultivation of niu, kalo, and/or ʻulu using culturally significant farming practices and measurable production and food-access outcomes.
Eligible projects and costs
Examples include cultivation for free community food distribution, replanting diverse niu varieties in Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle-affected areas, production for keiki food-education programs, and preservation and distribution of heritage varieties. Eligible costs include project-related labor, administration, land lease, plants, supplies, materials, tools, and small-scale equipment that are reasonable, necessary, and directly related to establishment, expansion, management, or harvest of the eligible crops.
Education-only projects, research, and projects requiring large-scale planning, design, or construction that require permitting are not eligible. The controlling solicitation and guide do not state a separate mandatory match or cost-share requirement.
Application requirements
Applicants must use the official MDOA forms and submit the required application information, declaration, narrative proposal, budget/cost proposal, and supporting documents. The guide identifies supporting records including current tax/vendor compliance, DCCA or certificate-of-good-standing documentation, W-9, bylaws or operating procedures, corporate resolution where applicable, two years of financial statements, and applicable subcontractor or fiscal-sponsorship agreements.
Applications may be submitted by email to the MDOA grants address, hand delivery to the Department of Agriculture in Wailuku, or mail under the official grant-guide instructions. Late applications are not accepted.
Scoring
The 100-point evaluation allocates 15 points to Project Description, 20 to Community & Economic Impact, 10 to Experience & Capability, 15 to Work Plan, 10 to Outcome Measures & Evaluation, 10 to Self Sufficiency, and 20 to the Financial & Cost Proposal.
Atlas analysis
Atlas Opportunity Score: 68/100. This is a legitimate Hawaii-administered community food-security and agricultural resilience opportunity with clear eligible applicants, measurable outcomes, official forms, and a near-term deadline. N9+ Fit Score: 0/100 and QC Healthcare Fit: 0/100. The funded scope is crop production, cultural stewardship, and community food access rather than telehealth, remote examination, clinical services, or medical technology. N9+ should not be introduced or forced into this project.
Official sources: County of Maui — Niu, Kalo & Ulu Grant; FY2027 Grant Solicitation; FY2027 Grant Guide; Official Application.