Our Mo’olelo

About

Makaliʻi Metrics LLC, founded in June 2022 in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, was built upon the legacy of bio-centric sciences rooted in Hawaiian ancestral practices. Our mission centers on learning from the practices of aloha ʻāina—the commitment to land stewardship and regeneration—by merging these ancient principles with modern agricultural analyses. Recognizing the critical need to support local producers, our company was established to address Hawaiʻi’s unique environmental challenges, such as soil depletion, high dependence on imported food, and need for culturally-informed soil analysis resources. We aim to empower ʻāina practitioners across Hawaiʻi with tools and data to foster climate resilience and strengthen food system security, thus advancing a vision of sustainability grounded in Hawaiian heritage and modern science.

Our Team

Daniel Richardson, M.S.

As Founder and Owner, Daniel brings over a decade of experience in Hawaiʻi’s agricultural sector. He has led large-scale soil sampling and analysis projects, including a USDA-led assessment across the islands and a bioenergy project on Maui. Daniel also currently serves as Director of Cultivation at private greenhouse and horticulture operations in Hawaiʻi, managing a team of 25+ cultivators. His deep expertise in soil carbon dynamics and commitment to sustainable practices drive Makaliʻi Metrics mission to integrate traditional knowledge with innovative soil science.

Kuhaʻo Zane

Co-founder and Owner, Kuhaʻo is the Creative Director of Sig Zane Designs and SZKaiao, where he integrates cultural values into design. His work spans from local branding projects to architectural wayfinding, reflecting his commitment to Hawaiian cultural preservation. Kuhaʻo also serves as the President of the Edith Kanakaʻole Foundation, leveraging his generational knowledge to support cultural and environmental education.

Zackary Pilien

As the CTO, Zackary is passionate about soil science and sustainable agriculture. With a degree in Plant and Environmental Protection Services from the University of Hawaiʻi, he coordinates soil sampling and transport logistics for Makaliʻi Metrics and develops predictive soil models using Python-based systems​.