Permaculture Design Certification Course on the Big Island (PDC)
Join us for a hands-on PDC course with experienced teachers in the Edenic beauty of Hawai’i.
This course covers the approved curriculum and when students meet requirements they get certified as permaculture designers.
Step into an immersive 72-hour Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) experience in North Hilo, Hawaiʻi, where learning happens through living, doing, and designing within a thriving off-grid intentional community. This hands-on course goes beyond theory, giving you practical skills in regenerative design, food systems, and land stewardship so you can create resilient, life-supporting systems wherever you are.
The course takes place at Rainbow Bridge—an intentional community on the Big Island—with cascading waterfalls, lush gardens, and a dedicated dream incubation temple. It has solar and hydroelectric systems, chickens, horses, cows, compost, food forests, nursery production, vegetable gardens, and a commercial lychee orchard.
Dates: January 4 – 18, 2027
Location: Ninole, Hawai’i
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.
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.
Synchronicity and the Spirit of the Gift
Zack Geist and his wife Madeleine rented a house from Grigor(pictured center) here in Hawaii to escape the air pollution of Salt Lake City. Only a few weeks after meeting Grigor and connecting to this beautiful land they were informed that Grigor was being forced to move off this land he had been farming for 25 years and the land would be sold. The three teamed up and the vision of Rainbow Bridge was born.
Heavily inspired by his friend Charles Eisenstein, Zack funds the community of Rainbow Bridge in “the Spirit of the Gift”. After observing the extractive and often destructive ways that capital flows in society he is choosing a new way of being(and investing) with the community of Rainbow Bridge. The three are transforming the land and the land is transforming them. They work tirelessly to hold this beautiful container as it grows and matures.
Meet Your Instructors
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.
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 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
All Classes & Materials
We have a dedicated classroom space and will provide pens and notebooks.
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
Farm Fresh Meals
All meals will be provided(vegetarian) with gluten free and vegan options. Please let us know in the application of any dietary restrictions.
Field Trips
We will visit a nearby permaculture site on the island each week.
Daily Waterfall Adventures
Rainbow Bridge Hawaii is located along the Manoloa stream and is blessed with some beautiful waterfalls and swimming spots.
Pricing Options
72-Hour PDC + Tent Camping
Total: $2,000 US
What’s Included:
- Full 72-hour PDC course and course materials.
- Tent camping space with access to shared bathhouse with hot showers and communal areas.
- 3 farm-to-table meals per day
- Community events and optional activities (yoga, beach trips, etc.)
*Inquire for private cabin, tent rental options, and volunteer opportunities for discounted tuition.
Additional Week
Total: +$350 per week
Stay after the PDC has ended to integrate and explore the Big island with Rainbow Bridge as your home base.
What’s Included:
- Community dinners
- Access to communal kitchen and food staples
- Wednesday Garden Party
- Chances to deepen connection with other participants and community
- Leisure time for swimming in waterfalls and exploring the land
If you have questions before registering, please fill out the form on our contact page.
