Maui Kuia Estate Chocolate “exists solely to give back to the nonprofit community,” said CEO Gunars Valkirs, who, in the absence of profit due to COVID-19 shutdowns, found a new way to give back. Many nonprofit organizations have lost funding due to a lack of gatherings where they could ask for donations. Noticing this, Maui Kuia Estate Chocolate created the Chocolate Laulima cooperative program to ensure that “100% of their net profit goes to the Hawaii nonprofit community.” Chocolate Laulima currently has 27 nonprofit participants — Habitat for Humanity Maui, IMUA Family Services and Hawaii Agricultural Foundation, are just a few of the organizations on the list — and hopes to have 50 by the 2020 holiday season.

“Each month, we give a check to each nonprofit with the direct earnings from their promotion for this opportunity.”

Maui Kuia Estate Chocolate CEO Gunars Valkirs donating the Chocolate Laulima profits back to Maui Food Bank. Photos: courtesy of Maui Kuia Estate Chocolate

Through Chocolate Laulima, consumers can buy chocolate and 40% of the retail price is donated to nonprofit organizations. “The only difference is we’ve recruited the nonprofits to help us sell these products,” explained Valkirs. Maui Kuia Estate Chocolate manages all the sales and shipping, both online and in their retail store. “Each month, we give a check to each nonprofit with the direct earnings from their promotion for this opportunity.”

Chocolate Laulima is a great program, both for consumers and nonprofit organizations, to support the local community and bring people together. Nonprofits interested in learning more can fill out their contact form on their website. Browse participating organizations and buy chocolate — as a sweet treat or gift — to do good for local nonprofits.

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