The Zonta Club of Hilo awards microgrants to five women for their local businesses

The Zonta Club of Hilo awarded five women a total of $10,000 in microgrants for their growing businesses on Hawaiʻi Island as part of its 2024 “Pay It Forward” program.

The 2024 microgrant recipients were Dawn Patterson, Rachel Erdman, Napua Arakaki-Heen, Megan Brady and Syd Wang.

Patterson has been a barber for 29 years and is the sole proprietor of Dawnʻs Barber Shop in Hilo. She will use the grant to pay off her COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster loan and purchase tools for her shop.

Erdman raises hydroponic lettuce, microgreens and produce at LoveBug Farm while also providing dog daycare, boarding and training services. She will use the money to build a sink and a cleaning and processing area for the produce grown on her farm.

Arakaki-Heen owns Nalani Farm Store, a boutique gift shop that sells goods grown, made and designed in Hawai‘i in downtown Hilo. She estimates that around 70% of the products she stocks are produced by women-owned businesses, so she will be using the funds to purchase inventory for the store. 

Brady created her signature Uproot Origin elixir from organic ginger, organic turmeric and organic honey sourced from small farms on the Big Island. She plans to use the grant to hire administrative support to help her business grow. 

Based in Hilo, Wang’s Wala’au Therapy evaluates and treats speech, language, cognitive and swallowing/feeding disorders. She plans to use the award to build an ADA-compliant entrance ramp at her practice. 

“For the third 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 Julie Tulang. ”The Zonta Club of Hilo is proud to provide a financial boost to these five 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.