A woman-owned business received a $250,000 loan from the Bureau of Hawaiian Affairs. Maui now

Italian Flavors, a Native Hawaiian, woman-owned business, was awarded a $250,000 Hua Kanu loan through the Office of Hawaiian Affairs’ Malama Loan Program.

Desiree Kanae Loperfido, owner of Hawaii Home Lands, and her husband, Chef Donato Loperfido, specialize in alcohol importation and distribution and a variety of wines and cheeses.

A loan signing ceremony was held on September 26. First Foundation, OHA’s lending partner in Kakaako.

“What makes Flavors of Italy a good candidate for this loan is the strength of their business, which has been operating since 2005,” said Aiku’ē Kalima, OHA’s Malama Loan Manager. “Desiree and Donato have a direct connection to Italy, which allows the business to import and distribute products competitively.”

Taste of Italy, located in Honolulu, supplies its products to local restaurants, hotels such as the Four Seasons and grocery stores including Foodland and Whole Foods Market. The company imported just one pallet in 2005 and has grown from humble beginnings to now importing eight to 10 containers of wine and cheese each year.

Desiree Loperfido said the company will use the loan to expand its business, build inventory and purchase more equipment. The business is expected to produce cheeses like fresh mozzarella, eliminating transportation and shipping costs and making Hawaii more sustainable.

Loperfido, who was born and raised in a Nanakuli homestead, said she received training years ago on how to apply for a development loan, and remembered the OHA program when looking to build their business.

“I talked to my husband, and we decided to contact OHA and see if they could help us because we needed that extra money to expand our business,” she said. “The interest rates are great, and we are very grateful for what OHA and the Malama Loan Program do for the Hawaiian community. We are grateful for the help, because we really need it.”

OHA Board Chair Carmen “Hulu” Lindsey said one of the agency’s strategic goals is to increase the number of commercial loans to Hawaii home land users looking to start a new business or provide working capital to existing business owners.

“We are trying to help these users by increasing their financial capacity and economic self-development, and this business loan for Flavors of Italy is a great example of this work,” he said.

OHA Hua Kanu Business Loans offers seven-year low-interest loans to highly qualified business owners ranging from $150,000 to $1 million, while Malam Business Loans targets startups and small businesses with loans ranging from $2,500 to $149,999.

Malama Mahi Ai Agriculture, Malama Home Improvement, Malama Debt Consolidation and Malama Education are other OHA programs that include the Malama Loan Program.

OHA’s Target Loan Program is a federal funding stream available to Native Americans and makes federal funds available to local Hawaiians to help them expand their businesses, improve their homes, and pay for education.

Learn more about OHA loans at oha.org/loans or call 808-594-1924.