Zonta pays it forward by awarding $10K in microgrants to 6 Big Isle businesswomen

Zonta Club of Hilo awarded $10,000 in microgrants in support of Hawai‘i Island women entrepreneurs through its 2025 “Pay It Forward” program, which are aimed at helping them start a new business or expand an existing business.

This year’s microgrant recipients were Leslie Carroll of Lava Meats, Amanda Fox of I Ka Ua Farm, Monica Pezze of Alchemy Farm Hawai‘i, Melina Castro of Melina Castro Jewelry, Stephanie Hao of Maluhia x Malie and Delilah Perreira of Abundant Beauty.

Here’s a closer look at each recipient and their plans for the microgrant funding:

• LESLIE CARROLL is proprietor of LAVA MEATS, which recently opened a storefront on Waiānuenue Avenue in Hilo. She makes sausages and other products from local meat purchased from small farmers on Hawai‘i Island. She will use the funds for rent, as she uses two separate places to process meat.
• AMANDA 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.
• ALCHEMY FARMY HAWAI‘I is an apiary focused on raw, small batch honey, beeswax products and community mentorship. MONICA PEZZE will use her microgrant to maintain her apiary and purchase more efficient beeswax melting equipment.
• MELINA CASTRO is a metalsmith and jewelry designer based in lower Puna and also teaches jewelry-making classes. Her microgrant will be used toward essential tools and equipment to enhance and expand her jewelry-making workshops at MELINA CASTRO JEWELRY.
• STEPHANIE HAO creates individually designed sustainable fashion through her MALUHIA X MALIE BRAND. The money she was awarded will be invested in essential equipment and supplies to increase production efficiency and improve garment quality.
• DELILAH PERREIRA’S ABUNDANT BEAUTY is a luxury skincare studio located in Hilo. She plans to use her 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,” said Zonta Club of Hilo President Laurie Higashi in an announcement about this year’s microgrant recipients. “It’s inspiring to see so many women entrepreneurs in our community.”

“Pay It Forward” microgrants are funded each year through Zonta Club of Hilo Foundation, donations to which are tax-deductible.

Visit the Zonta Club of Hilo website for additional information.

“The Zonta Club of Hilo is proud to provide a financial boost to these six well-deserving women-owned businesses,” Higashi said.