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Live, Learn, and Grow in Paradise – 2-Week Permaculture Design Certification Course in Hawaii

Dates: January 4 – 18, 2027

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Location: Ninole, Hawai’i

Join us for a hands-on Permaculture course with experienced teachers in the Edenic beauty of Hawai'i

Graduate as a certified permaculture designer, equipped to design regenerative landscapes anywhere in the world.

Spend two weeks living inside a thriving permaculture system alongside a warm, like-minded community. Swim in cascading waterfalls, harvest fruit from mature food forests, and immerse yourself in daily life on our off-grid sanctuary powered by solar and hydroelectric energy. Rainbow Bridge is an intentional community where the land has been lovingly nurtured for over 30 years. hydroelectric systems, chickens, horses, cows, compost, food forests, nursery production, vegetable gardens, and a commercial lychee orchard.

What You Will Learn:

Full immersion into our permaculture community allows embodied wisdom to flow freely and new possibilities to emerge through observations and interactions. The course will cover Permaculture principles and ethics, food forestry, soil building, composting, propagation, water systems, natural building, regenerative design, community dynamics, social permaculture, site planning, mapping, design problems, and much, much more.
Group of community members sitting in a circle in a tropical Hawaii garden surrounded by palm trees

Why This Course is Unique

Location

Rainbow Bridge is a majestic and beautiful property at the foot of Mauna Kea, North of Hilo, Hawaii. The land carries strong energies of transformation and time as well as truly wild spaces where one can swim and connect to nature.

Community

Rainbow Bridge is a family-like, energetic, and compassionate community growing since 2020. We are blessed to be on land that has been connected to and nurtured for 30 years and has many mature fruit trees. 

Experience

Rainbow Bridge is at a sweet spot where there is massive abundance, and systems to observe; while also building out new infrastructure and sustainable systems. This course combines classroom theory with hands-on practice and daily rhythms that nourish the body and spirit.

Meet Your Instructors

Rainbow Bridge Hawaii community member gardening during a volunteer work day, holding a shovel and plant roots

Bruce Horowitz

Bruce is a certified permaculture and ecovillage design teacher and consultant. He has a masters degree from New College of California in the Culture, Ecology and Sustainable Community Program, and is a trainer at Regenerative Education Courses for Gaia Education. Bruce has worked all over the world, co-founded many cooperative endeavors, been a board member of several non-profits, and is also a trained herbalist, farmer, ecstatic dance DJ and contact improv devotee. 
Portrait of Tracy Matfin, co-founder of Laʻakea Permaculture Community and permaculture educator on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi.

Tracy Matfin

Tracy is a co-founder and lead land steward of La’akea Permaculture Community on the Island of Hawaii. She is a Faculty member of Maharishi International University and has studied with permaculture pioneers, Penny Livigston, Doug Bullock & Jude Hobbs to name a few. Tracy lives and embodies the essence of permaculture and brings excitement and real life examples into her teaching.
Mickey, a permanent community member, smiling while holding a large jackfruit in a lush tropical forest.

Mickey Kleinhenz

Mickey is the Land Manager, Worktrade Director, Permaculture Designer, Arborist, Nurseryman, Machine Operator, Head Gardener, Food Forest Monkey Magician of Rainbow Bridge. He has an undergraduate degree in Horticulture and a Masters in Landscape Architecture from Louisiana State University. 

He energetically holds the mission and vision of Rainbow Bridge along with the owners.  He loves collecting and learning new plants and painting on the canvas that is Rainbow Bridge.

What's Included in the Course

Group of students attending an outdoor permaculture class under a white canopy at Rainbow Bridge Hawaii.

All Classes & Materials

We have a dedicated classroom space and will provide pens and notebooks. This course covers the approved curriculum and when students meet requirements they get certified as permaculture designers.

Accommodations

Tent camping is included, with access to hot showers and flushing toilets. There are other private or shared housing options available for additional cost upon inquiry after registration.

Colorful fruit and edible flower bowls prepared at Rainbow Bridge Hawaii during the Healing Dreams Retreat

Farm Fresh Meals

All meals are farm-fresh and vegetarian, with gluten-free and vegan options available. After registering you’ll receive a questionnaire where you can share any dietary restrictions or allergies.

Students gathered in a grassy field for an outdoor lesson at Rainbow Bridge Permaculture Design Course.

Field Trips

We will visit a nearby permaculture site on the island each week.

Noelani Waterfall and natural pool on the land at Rainbow Bridge Hawaii, surrounded by lush tropical greenery

Daily Waterfall Adventures

Rainbow Bridge Hawaii is located along the Manoloa stream and is blessed with some beautiful waterfalls and swimming spots.

Testimonial from One of Bruce's Past Students

“I had the honor of being a student of Bruce Horowitz for a fabulous comprehensive Permaculture course he taught a few years ago. His knowledge and depth of understanding was excellent. He is truly a great teacher. He is very patient and kind and his explanations of Permaculture philosophy is incredibly clear and thorough.

His teachings in that course have had a profound effect on my life and the way I have tended to the land and the soil and the plants on my property here in Hawaii. I often reflect on how that course has helped us develop our food forest and structural layout, and made a huge difference in our lives.

I’m very grateful to Bruce and recommend anybody interested in permaculture to study and learn with this skillful and very kind gentleman.”

Sincerely,
John de Kadt

Musician and Licensed Acupuncturist

Registration

Register for the PDC Today!

Purchase a ticket below to register for the 72 Hour PDC course in January! Only 15 spots available so secure yours today!

Limited private cabin upgrades are available on a first come, first served basis. Need a payment plan or want to inquire about a cabin upgrade? Reach out to us before or after purchasing and we’ll get you sorted.

Refund Policy: Full refunds are available through October 1, 2026. A 50% refund is available October 1 – November 1, 2026. After November 1, tickets are non-refundable but may be transferred to a future event. For questions, please reach out to us using the form below.

After purchasing you’ll receive a confirmation email with directions, helpful links, a packing list, and everything you need to prepare for your time at Rainbow Bridge.

Rainbow arching over a lush tropical garden in Hawaii
Students taking notes during a permaculture field trip at Rainbow Bridge Hawaii, surrounded by tropical plants.
Aerial view of the Rainbow Bridge Hawaii property with lush green forest, open land, ocean views, and small structures nestled in the landscape.
Students learn hands-on permaculture design by planting and working in the soil at Rainbow Bridge Hawaiʻi.
Volunteers celebrating a garden work day at Rainbow Bridge Hawaii, surrounded by tropical plants and fresh fruit
Sunset over Rainbow Bridge Hawaii with tropical gardens, retreat buildings, palm trees, and ocean views in the distance.
Students seated outdoors during a permaculture class at Rainbow Bridge Hawaii, surrounded by tropical greenery.
Aerial view of Rainbow Bridge Hawaii with gardens, buildings, tropical trees, and green hills under a blue sky.

Contact Us

Reach out for Questions

Fill out the form with your name, contact info, and let us know any questions or needs you may have. Thank you for your interest, we hope to see you at this course!

FAQ

What's included in the ticket price?
72 Hour PDC Enrollment 
  • Full 72-hour PDC course and all course materials
  • Tent camping with access to shared bathhouse, hot showers, and flushing toilets
  • 3 farm-to-table vegetarian meals per day with gluten-free and vegan options
  • Weekly field trips to nearby permaculture sites on the Big Island
  • Daily access to waterfalls and natural swimming spots on the property
  • Community events and optional activities including yoga and beach trips
  • Permaculture design certification upon meeting course requirements

Upgrade to the PDC + Integration Week ticket to also receive:

  • An additional week at Rainbow Bridge as your home base
  • Community dinners and access to communal kitchen and food staples
  • Wednesday Garden Party
  • Extra time to swim in waterfalls, explore the Big Island, and deepen connections with fellow participants

Yes! During registration, select PayPal as your payment method and choose the “Pay Later” option at checkout to automatically split your payment into 4 monthly installments. If you’d prefer to arrange an alternative payment plan, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected].

Full refunds are available through October 1, 2026. A 50% refund is available between October 1 and November 1, 2026. After November 1, tickets are non-refundable but may be transferred to a future event. For questions please contact us at [email protected].

This course is limited to 15 participants to ensure an intimate and personalized learning experience. We recommend registering early as spots fill quickly.

Rainbow Bridge Hawaii is located at 32-1091 Hawaii Belt Road, Ninole, HI 96773 on the Big Island of Hawaii. Detailed directions will be emailed to you after registration.

Hilo International Airport (ITO) is the closest airport to Rainbow Bridge, approximately 35 minutes away. We can provide airport pickup from Hilo for $20. Kona International Airport (KOA) is also an option but will require a rental car or the free Hele-On bus (2-3 hours) to reach the property.

We offer airport pickup from Hilo International Airport (ITO) for $20. If you’re flying into Kona, a rental car or the island bus system are your best options for getting to us. You will receive an email shortly after registration that will provide more logistical information.

A detailed packing list will be sent to you after registration. We recommend bringing lightweight breathable clothing, rain gear, sturdy closed-toe shoes for farm work, swimwear, sunscreen, and bug repellent.

The property offers plenty of camping spots with lots of room to spread out and find your own private corner of paradise. Camping is on the more primitive side, keeping you close to nature, but we provide designated areas to charge your devices and a shared bathhouse with hot showers and flushing toilets. There may be shared covered areas provided—more information will be sent to participants as the course approaches.

Yes! A limited number of private cabin options are available including an Aircrete Dome, Aircrete Eden, Cob House, Heptagon, and Tiny House Trailer. Cabins are available on a first come, first served basis. Reach out to us at [email protected] after purchasing your ticket to inquire about availability.

For those who rent a private cabin, bedding will be provided. Otherwise, we advise you bring your own light sleeping bag and pillow, as well as a sleeping pad. We have sleeping cots that may be rented as well.

Absolutely; no prior permaculture experience is required. This course is designed to take you from the foundations all the way through to a full permaculture design certification. Whether you’re brand new to permaculture or looking to deepen your existing knowledge, you’ll find this course deeply rewarding.

Upon meeting course requirements you will receive a Permaculture Design Certificate, recognized internationally as the standard credential for permaculture designers.

The course covers 72 hours of instruction over 2 weeks, following the approved permaculture design curriculum.

There will be drinking water in despensible jugs in the classroom area and dining area. The water from the bathhouse sinks and showers are non-potable; only the kitchen sink has biological filters. 

Our participants come from all walks of life united by a shared passion for regenerative living, sustainability, and community. With only 15 spots available you’ll form meaningful connections with a diverse and like-minded group. In our post-registration email you will be invited to join a participant telegram group where you can introduce yourself, find a travel buddy, or find roommate to split the cost of a cabin.

Absolutely! We welcome couples and groups. Simply purchase a ticket for each participant during registration. If upgrading to a cabin, include the names of everyone staying in the cabin in your email to Madeleine and we will work out a group deal for the upgrade.