Zonta Club of Hilo awards US$10,000 in microgrants to women in 2025
The Zonta Club of Hilo, HI, USA, presented US$10,000 in microgrants for its 2025 “Pay It Forward” program. The award program supports women entrepreneurs on Hawai‘i Island who are starting a new business or working to expand an existing business.
The 2025 microgrant recipients were Leslie Carroll of Lava Meats, Amanda Fox of I Ka Ua Farm LLC, Monica Pezze of Alchemy Farm Hawaii LLC, Melina Castro of Melina Castro Jewelry, Stephanie Hao of Maluhia x Malie and Delilah Perreira of Abundant Beauty.
Carroll is the proprietor of Lava Meats, which recently opened a storefront on Waianuenue Ave. in Hilo. She makes sausages and other products from local meat purchased from small farmers on Hawai‘i Island. The grant will go towards rent as she currently uses two separate places to process meat.
Fox’s I Ka Ua Farm produces value added products, such as turmeric and ginger powder and macadamia nut toffee with turmeric and ginger. She intends to use the funds to purchase more eco-friendly packaging for her toffee products.
Pezze’s Alchemy Farm Hawaii is an apiary focused on raw, small batch honey, beeswax products, and community mentorship. She will use the microgrant to maintain her current apiary and purchase more efficient beeswax melting equipment.
Castro is a metalsmith and jewelry designer based in lower Puna who also teaches jewelry making classes. The award will go towards essential tools and equipment to enhance and expand her jewelry-making workshops.
Hao creates individually designed sustainable fashion through her Maluhia x Malie brand. The money will be invested in essential equipment and supplies to increase production efficiency and improve garment quality.
Perreira’s Abundant Beauty is a luxury skincare studio located in Hilo. She plans to use the microgrant to expand community outreach efforts, upgrade essential equipment, and expand skincare retail and client education.
“For the fourth year in a row, we saw a record number of applicants for the grant. It’s inspiring to see so many women entrepreneurs in our community,” said club president Laurie Higashi. “The Zonta Club of Hilo is proud to provide a financial boost to these six well-deserving women-owned businesses.”
“Pay It Forward” microgrants are funded annually through the charitable Zonta Club of Hilo Foundation, donations to which are tax-deductible. For more information, visit zontahilo.org.