> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://thechocolatelife.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Pono Cocoa, Again? | #PSC 189 - URL: https://thechocolatelife.com/pono-cocoa-again-psc-189/ - Published: 2026-03-15T20:47:18.000Z - Updated: 2026-03-29T18:20:29.000Z - Description: OVERVIEW: Episode 189 of #PodSaveChocolate takes another look at Pono Cocoa: a deep-ish dive into what has (and hasn’t) changed since the last time I took a look in 2022. (TL;DR – there has been *some* movement, but not the necessary improvement, in my opinion.) [Updated] - Author: Clay Gordon - Tags: PodSaveChocolate, Live Stream 🗓️ Episode 189 streamed on Tuesday, March 17th, 2026\. Click a link below to view the archived episode. This ****YOUTUBE** link is shareable. 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[Watch this episode on Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/share/1CyeoMnQcq/) --- ## **Episode 189 Overview** In this episode, I will take another look at the efforts of Pono Cocoa, a non-profit organization dedicated to eradicating illegal child slavery in cocoa. > **Context:** Pono is a Hawai’ian word commonly rendered as "righteousness," but it encompasses broader meanings such as goodness, morality, and living in harmony with others and the environment. It reflects a way of being that emphasizes balance, integrity, and doing what is right for oneself and the community. I haven’t thought about Pono Cocoa in quite a while, but I got a notification on my phone so I decided to find out what they were up to, now. ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2026/03/IMG_7591.jpg) ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2026/03/facebookCaptureEdited-1.jpg) ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2026/03/instagramCapture.jpg) ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2026/03/linkedInFollows.jpeg) \[TL\]: The Tiktok notification I received. \[TR\]: From the Pono Cocoa [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/righteouscocoa) page. \[BL\]: Instagram. \[BR\]: LinkedIn. Pono Cocoa first caught my eye in June 2021\. If I recall correctly, it had something to do with the Tony’s Chocolonely getting booted (on February 15th, 2021) from Slave Free Chocolate’s list of approved makers kerfuffle. I wrote my first article about Pono Cocoa in early July. I followed that article up about fifteen months later. I am going to do a quick summary of my observations in the following two posts. That will be followed by comparing those thoughts against the current state of the website and updates to the business affairs of the organization. [Have You Been Ponoed?What attributes should consumers reasonably be able to expect to rely on in a “certification” program?![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/icon/JR_Pods60x60FavIconCutoutButtons-419.png)The Chocolate LifeClay Gordon![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/thumbnail/alex-motoc-qxHiV5nIOjc-unsplashPonoed1920x1080.jpg)](https://thechocolatelife.com/have-you-been-ponoed/) Published July 6th, 2021 [Is/Was Pono Bueno?To borrow a phrase, “Inquiring Minds Want To Know.”![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/icon/JR_Pods60x60FavIconCutoutButtons-420.png)The Chocolate LifeClay Gordon![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/thumbnail/clay-banks-h4elZPxUXLU-unsplashIsPonoBueno.jpg)](https://thechocolatelife.com/is-pono-bueno/) Published October 1st, 2022 While I am using Pono Cocoa as an example, it is just one example. I can (and will) make some of the same observations about the Slave Free Chocolate list. My goal here is to provide tools to help you evaluate what is being claimed. It is ***not*** to cast aspersions at the people involved or undermine their efforts. > **I am in broad agreement with the goals of both Pono Cocoa and Slave Free Chocolate, and I want them to succeed.** ***However ...*** I have questions about both efforts’ claims and processes, but I will be focusing most of my attention in this episode on Pono Cocoa’s current claims as can be seen on their website. ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2026/03/ponoListCapture-AB.jpeg) ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2026/03/ponoBoycottList.jpg) What’s wrong with these lists? > Another particular area I will be addressing is **legal threats** against me by one of the founders of Pono Cocoa. --- ### **Resources** [Business Registration Division - Search for Business Entity & DocumentsHawaii Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs, Business Registration Division’s, Hawaii Business Express - Search for Business Entity & Documents![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/icon/favicon.ico-jsessionid-9ABE692D1E48BC0F5A4A538070D5A0C4.app8)Hawaii State Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs, Business Registration Division![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/thumbnail/logo.png-jsessionid-9ABE692D1E48BC0F5A4A538070D5A0C4.app8)](https://hbe.ehawaii.gov/documents/business.html?fileNumber=319703D2&ref=thechocolatelife.com) Hawaii Business Express Registration Information page. [IRS 501(c)(3) Final Letter](https://apps.irs.gov/pub/epostcard/dl/FinalLetter%5F87-1242182%5FPONOCOCOA%5F02292024%5F00.pdf?ref=thechocolatelife.com) ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2026/03/ponoCocoaWixCapture.png) [CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE WEBSITE](https://www.ponococoa.org/?ref=thechocolatelife.com) Accessed March 14th, 2026\. ab > The Instagram account claims they are a “Certified Human Rights Consultant.” This is a **non‑licensed, training-based credential** offered by private organizations (most prominently the US Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights, USIDHR), not a government-regulated professional license like “attorney” or “social worker.” [Ethical Chocolate Companies — Slave Free ChocolateBelow is a list of chocolate companies that only use ethically grown cocoa.  Find out how you can tell if the chocolate you are eating is connected to child slavery.![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/icon/favicon-68.ico)Slave Free ChocolateHome![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/thumbnail/image-asset.png)](https://www.slavefreechocolate.org/ethical-chocolate-companies?ref=thechocolatelife.com) Accessed March 14th, 2026 [Intentional Deception : Bittersweet Notes![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/thumbnail/Yucatan1-e1383687341806.jpeg)](http://bittersweetnotes.com/2058-intentional-deception?ref=thechocolatelife.com) Deep Dive into Hawaiian Vintage Chocolate and founder Jim Walsh, undercuttng the “ethicality” claims of its presence on the Pono Cocoa list. --- ### **Future Episodes** 🗓️ Friday, April 10th ****A conversation with Shawn Askinosie** **on the 20th anniversary of our first bean sourcing trip (to Mexico and Venezuela).* --- ### **Episode Hashtags and Social Media Links** #PonoCocoa [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/pono%5Fcocoa/?ref=thechocolatelife.com) #SlaveFreeChocolate [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/slavefreechocolate/?ref=thechocolatelife.com) #cocoa #cacao #cacau #chocolate #chocolat #craftchocolate #PodSaveChoc #PSC #LaVidaCocoa #TheChocolateLife --- ### **#PodSaveChocolate and #TheChocolateLifeLIVE Archives** **To read an archived post** and find the links to watch archived episodes, click on one of the bookmark cards, below. 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