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January 4 – 18, 2027

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

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.
Rainbow Bridge Hawaii is 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

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Location: Ninole, Hawai’i

Reach out to secure your spot

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 Kleinhenz, Land and Maintenance Lead at Rainbow Bridge Hawaii, harvesting fresh jackfruit in the garden.

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 community members gathered for a garden work day at Rainbow Bridge Hawaii, celebrating land stewardship and shared effort

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

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

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.

Lush permaculture garden at Rainbow Bridge Hawaii with hoop house frames, tropical plants, and community members on the land

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.

Registration

Register for the Course Today

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Rainbow Bridge Hawaii

Permaculture Design Certification Course on the Big Island (PDC)

January 4, 2027 To January 18, 2027
Attend

PDC with 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 tent rental options and volunteer opportunities for discounted tuition.

Housing Upgrade

Total: +$500

Private Housing with access to shared bathhouse and communal areas.

Available Housing:

  • Aircrete Dome
  • Aircrete Eden
  • Cob House
  • Heptagon
  • Tiny House Trailer

*Limited spaces; reach out to us for availability.

Additional Week(s)

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

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!