Māmaka (@mamakahawaii) | Projects

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A PUBLIC RELATIONS AGENCY

Mission Vison Values

Established in 2009, Māmaka is a Native Hawaiian owned and certified DBE specializing in community relations, public information, and consultation.

Māmaka serves as the bridge between communities, and public and private organizations in transportation, education, hospitality, retail, and healthcare.

We have established strong ties across the islands — working in, with, and for Hawai’i. Born, raised, and living in Hawai’i, we have a vested interest in our communities, we know our people, and we are rooted in Hawaiian values.

PILINA: we value relationships and partnerships, our communities and environment.

HŌʻĀ: we value passion and innovation.

MAIAU: we value quality and excellence.

ʻOIAʻIʻO: we value honesty, integrity, and transparency.

LOGO HŌʻAILONA

A Māmaka is a horizontal stick for carrying burdens over the shoulders that is unique to Hawai’i. The Hawaiian word Mā- is a prefix indicating quality or state, and is also short for the word Maka, which has various meanings: eye of a needle; tip of a spear; face; presence; sight; mesh of a net; stitch in sewing; source; or initiate.

The Māmaka balances the weight of a pūʻolo kalo (bundle of taro) and a kōkō ʻumeke (calabash in carrying net). The huluhulu, kalo, hā, and lau — roots, corm, stalk, and leaves — of mature and young kalo are representative of the diverse kanaka (human) and ʻāina (environment). Unified and cohesive yet individualistic, the pūʻolo kalo being symbolic of kaiāulu — our communities. The ʻumeke is contained within a kōkō of native and natural fibers. The calabash is versatile in function and applicability, and the carrying net is efficient and durable. The kōkō ʻumeke is interpretive of our current and future clients, project goals and deliverables within a Hawaiian context.

The Māmaka represents dedication, strength, skill, and precision. It is the balance, the brace, the link, and the bridge. Māmaka reminds us of our pilina (connection) and kuleana (responsibility) to Hawaiʻi, and speaks to our commitment to mālama (steward) our kaiāulu.

CERTIFIED HUBZONE + DBE

certifications

Māmaka is certified by the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE), and is also certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE). After passing rigorous review processes, these certifications demonstrate that Māmaka meets the requirements to do business with large corporations, local, state, and federal agencies, and airport concessionaires as a ACDBE and MBE. Māmaka can assist with public relations objectives and help your project meet DBE participation goals.

Māmaka is also certified by the U.S. Small Business Administration to participate in the Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) Program. The HUBZone program helps small businesses in urban and rural communities gain preferential access to federal procurement opportunities, and provides Māmaka with access to federal set-aside and sole source contracts allowing us to bring our expertise in community relations to our clients in a more direct and strategic way that meets demand and contributes to the economic development of our communities.

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