We are raising capital from impact investors so that we can build our next-gen trout aquaponics operation. But why should all of the profits go to investors who are already wealthy? We are deeply grateful for all the support we have received from our community and we want to invite you to share in the bounty as we grow, hence our offering here on Wefunder. Proceeds will be used for construction and launch of our new farm. In exchange for your investment, we are offering you the same pro rata financial return that our high dollar investors will get. Early Birds receive an additional 10% bonus and we are offering exciting benefits for all of our new Wefunder partners (see Perks section for details).

An Urgent Need for Change

Despite all the talk about our need for improved food security, Hawai‘i remains dependent upon the outside world for nearly 90% of our food. Given the growing threat to world food production, we must do better if we are to survive. The Hawaiian people thrived over the millennia entirely through local food production systems. We have all the benefits of modern science and technology and no excuse for our current predicament. We can, and must, do better.

That's not to say that some of us aren't trying. Farmers young and old across the Islands are working hard every day to feed our ever-growing population. But access to land and water is difficult and expensive; irreplaceable ag lands are being turned into estates and luxury developments. We must do more with that which remains.

Over 10 Years of Research & Commercial Testing

Out team has been working for over a decade on new technology that can grow large quantities of nutrient dense food on marginal land, using minimal amounts of water and discharging zero waste. We began as Kulahaven Farms LLC - Hawaii's first rainbow trout aquaponics farm. Kulahaven Farms operated a small test system starting in early 2014 followed by a commercial scale R&D farm from July 2016 to December 2022 with just two crops: rainbow trout and organically-certified watercress. We were able to produce at least a portion of over 200,000 meals in both 2021 and 2022 from a mere 1/3rd acre facility.

Next Step: Agritourism-Supported Farm

We have now rebranded as Maui Trout Company and are raising capital to build our next generation farm. This time we will include trout fishing, guided tours and farm-to-table tours to increase profitability, plus a commercial kitchen to produce value-added products like smoked trout. Agritourism will jump start our operation and help us build to full scale from a relatively small initial investment. But don't let that fool you - we remain serious farmers at heart. Our ultimate goals are the production of millions of pounds of nutrient dense, environmentally-friendly food products, reduction of dependency on imports, improved food security for Hawaii, creation of value-added products for export, quality jobs for Hawaii's children and the development of multiple new farms with a viable business model for family farmers under a cooperative support structure. We have a proven system design, an established customer base and a mature distribution web. All we need is the capital to build upon our prior experience and success.

Our Solution

Aquaponics employs natural processes to produce both fish and vegetable crops with a single input (fish feed), thereby avoiding use of expensive chemical additives. We use minimal amounts of water, can operate on marginal land and we discharge zero waste. Our system is profitable, replicable and scaleable. We use:

1. No chemical fertilizers
2. No chemical pesticides
3. No chemical herbicides
4. No GMOs

Why Trout?

We get asked this a lot. Honestly, if we could raise ahi, we'd be on it in a heartbeat. But ahi, along with moi, mahimahi and so many other fish we love, are saltwater species. Even if we could raise them aquaponically (and we can't), the salt would kill our vegetable crops. Hawai‘i has very few native fresh water fish species and most, like o‘opu, are endangered species that would be illegal to raise and sell. Our founder started with tilapia and catfish but soon decided that it was time for some fresh thinking. And the fact is that trout have higher ratios of omega-3 oils, require less feed for growth, have a higher harvest ratio and better flavor profile than either tilapia or catfish. They are technically very difficult to raise but we think they're worth it. If you've ever tried our trout you'd probably agree.

How You Can Get Involved

Your investment, at any level, helps to demonstrate that Maui Trout Company is doing important work that has broad community support. You can help assure that Maui Trout Company will endure and thrive well into the future, continuing to provide our community with nutritious food, good jobs and public education for generations to come. See the Contract section for details - we're offeringing a Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE), which is similar in terms and structure to the agreement with our large investors (more about SAFEs here: https://help.wefunder.com/#/founder/terms-and-contracts ). Be sure to select the Perks that you want as well. Mahalo Nui Loa from all of us at Maui Trout Company.

Use of Funds

Our immediate needs are are paying for legal and organizational costs, followed by initial construction - surveying, engineering, grading etc. We have $75k in grant funds from the Maui County Agriculture Department to cover these but it is a reimbursable grant, meaning we have to pay the costs up front. In effect, this means that our Wefunder monies will actually be doubled: we will use our Wefunder for initial costs and, after reimbursement, be able to use the grant funds to continue construction and hire our first farm crew.

Now here's the legal disclaimer:

We are 'testing the waters' to gauge investor interest in an offering under Regulation Crowdfunding. No money or other consideration is being solicited. If sent, it will not be accepted. No offer to buy securities will be accepted. No part of the purchase price will be received until a Form C is filed and only through Wefunder’s platform. Any indication of interest involves no obligation or commitment of any kind.