UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31,September 30, 2022

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from                ________ to                ________

 

Commission File Number 001-40734

 

PONO CAPITAL CORP

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware 86-2049355

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

643 Ilalo Street

Honolulu, Hawaii

 96813
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (808(808)892-6611) 892-6611

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class Trading Symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered
Units, each consisting of one share of Class A Common Stock, three-quarters of one Redeemable Warrant PONOU The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Class A Common stock, $0.000001 par value per share PONO The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Redeemable Warrants, each whole warrant exercisable for one share of Class A Common Stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share PONOW The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Securities registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act:

None.

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐ No ☒

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☒

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer ☐Accelerated filer ☐
Non-accelerated filerSmaller reporting company
Emerging growth company  

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☒ No ☐

 

As of May 9,November 14, 2022, 12,021,67512,136,675 shares of Class A common stock, $0.000001 per share par value, and 2,875,000shares of Class B common stock, $0.000001 per share par value, were issued and outstanding, respectively.

 

 

 

 

 

PONO CAPITAL CORP

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  Page
PART 1 - FINANCIAL INFORMATION 
   
Item 1.CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) 
   
 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31,September 30, 2022 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2021 (Audited)F-3
   
 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2022, for the three months ended September 30, 2021, and for the period from February 12, 2021 (inception) through March 31,September 30, 20214F-4
   
 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ (Deficit) Equity for the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2022, for the three months ended September 30, 2021, and for the period from February 12, 2021 (inception) through September 30, 2021F-5
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and for the period from February 12, 2021 (inception) through March 31,September 30, 20215F-7
   
 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and for the period from February 12, 2021 (inception) through March 31, 20216
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements7F-8
   
Item 2.MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS2025
   
Item 3.QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK2331
   
Item 4.CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES2331
   
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION 
   
Item 1.LEGAL PROCEEDINGS2431
   
Item 1A.RISK FACTORS2431
   
Item 2.UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS2534
   
Item 3.DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES2534
   
Item 4.MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES2534
   
Item 5.OTHER INFORMATION2534
   
Item 6.EXHIBITS2634
   
SIGNATURES2735

 

2

 

PONO CAPITAL CORP

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

        
 March 31, 2022 December 31, 2021  September 30,
2022
 December 31,
2021
 
 (Unaudited) (Audited)  (Unaudited) (Audited) 
ASSETS                
Current Assets                
Cash $29,138  $337,595  $118,183  $337,595 
Prepaid expenses  142,820   171,837   14,875   171,837 
Total Current Assets  171,958   509,432   133,058   509,432 
                
Marketable Securities held in Trust Account  116,739,967   116,728,213   118,577,540   116,728,213 
                
Total Assets $116,911,925  $117,237,645  $118,710,598  $117,237,645 
                
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE CLASS A COMMON STOCK AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT                
Current liabilities                
Accounts payable $123,847  $  $651,410  $ 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities  193,299   125,821   123,914   125,821 
Income tax payable  112,535    
Franchise tax payable  50,000   120,647   150,000   120,647 
Sponsor Working Capital Loan  96,200    
Total Current Liabilities  367,146   246,468   1,134,059   246,468 
                
Deferred underwriter fee payable  3,450,000   3,450,000   3,450,000   3,450,000 
Warrant liability  2,146,100   4,243,039   819,226   4,243,039 
Total Non-Current Liabilities  5,596,100   7,693,039   4,269,226   7,693,039 
                
Total Liabilities  5,963,246   7,939,507   5,403,285   7,939,507 
                
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 6)  -    -    -   - 
                
Redeemable Class A Common Stock                
Redeemable Class A common stock, $0.000001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 11,500,000 shares at redemption value of $10.15 per share  116,725,000   116,725,000 
Redeemable Class A common stock, $0.000001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 11,500,000 shares at redemption value of $10.28 and $10.15 per share at September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively  118,215,005   116,725,000 
                
Stockholders’ Deficit                
Preferred stock, $0.000001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; NaN issued and outstanding      
Class A common stock, $0.000001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 521,675 shares issued and outstanding (excluding 11,500,000 shares subject to possible redemption)  1   1 
Preferred stock, $0.000001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding      
Class A common stock, $0.000001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 636,675 and 521,675 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively (excluding 11,500,000 shares subject to possible redemption)  2   1 
Class B common stock, $0.000001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; 2,875,000 shares issued and outstanding  3   3   3   3 
Common stock value                
Additional paid-in capital        

30,231

    
Accumulated deficit  (5,776,325)  (7,426,866)  (4,937,928)  (7,426,866)
Total Stockholders’ Deficit  (5,776,321)  (7,426,862)  (4,907,692)  (7,426,862)
Total Liabilities, Redeemable Class A Common Stock and Stockholders’ Deficit $116,911,925  $117,237,645  $118,710,598  $117,237,645 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

3F-3

 

 

PONO CAPITAL CORP

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(UNAUDITED)

                
 Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 For the Period from February 12, 2021 (inception) through March 31, 2021  Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2022
  Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2021
  Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2022
  For the Period
from February
12, 2021
(inception)
through
September 30,
2021
 
Formation and operating costs $408,152  $229  $616,773  $113,640  $1,375,230  $113,869 
Franchise tax expenses  50,000      50,000      150,000    
Loss from Operations  (458,152)  (229)  (666,773)  (113,640)  (1,525,230)  (113,869)
                        
Other Income        
Other Income (Expense)                
Bank incentive           5 
Interest earned on marketable securities held in trust account      747       747 
Dividends earned on marketable securities held in Trust Account  11,754      529,950      699,327    
Loss on change in fair value of Sponsor Working Capital Loan  (5,200)     (4,200)   
Change in fair value of warrant liability  2,096,939      (270,488)  (680,914)  3,431,576   (680,914)
Other Income $2,108,693  $ 
Offering costs allocated to warrants     (505,696)     (505,696)
Other Income (Loss)  254,262   (1,185,863)  4,126,703   (1,185,858)
Income (Loss) before income taxes  (412,511)  (1,299,503)  2,601,473   (1,299,727)
Income tax expense  (109,621)     (112,535)   
Net Income (Loss) $1,650,541  $(229) $(522,132) $(1,299,503) $2,488,938  $(1,299,727)
                        
Weighted average shares outstanding of Class A common stock  12,021,675      12,085,425   6,318,473   12,043,159   2,516,448 
Basic and diluted net income per common stock $0.11  $  $(0.03) $(0.15) $0.17  $(0.28)
Weighted average shares outstanding of Class B common stock  2,875,000   520,833   2,875,000   2,500,000   2,875,000   2,088,745 
Basic and diluted net income per common stock $0.11  $(0.00)
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per common stock $(0.03) $(0.15) $0.17  $(0.28)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

4F-4

 

PONO CAPITAL CORP

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ (DEFICIT) EQUITYDEFICIT

(UNAUDITED)

 

 Shares  Amount  Shares  Amount  Capital  Deficit  Deficit 
 Three Months Ended March 31, 2022                             
 

Class A

Common Stock

 

Class B

Common Stock

 Additional Paid-in Accumulated Total Stockholders’  Class A
Common Stock
 Class B
Common Stock
 Additional
Paid-in
 Accumulated Total
Stockholders’
 
 Shares  Amount  Shares  Amount  Capital  Deficit  Deficit  Shares Amount Shares Amount Capital Deficit Deficit 
Balance - January 1, 2022  521,675   1   2,875,000   3      (7,426,866)  (7,426,862)  521,675  $1  2,875,000  $3  $  $(7,426,866) $(7,426,862)
Net income                 1,650,541   1,650,541                  1,650,541   1,650,541 
Balance - March 31, 2022  521,675  $1   2,875,000  $3  $  $(5,776,325) $(5,776,321)
Balance – March 31, 2022  521,675   1   2,875,000   3      (5,776,325)  (5,776,321)
Proceeds received in excess of initial fair value of Sponsor Working Capital Loan              139,000      139,000 
Net income                 1,360,529   1,360,529 
Balance - June 30, 2022  521,675  $1   2,875,000  $3  $139,000  $(4,415,796) $(4,276,792)
Proceeds received in excess of initial fair value of Sponsor Working Capital Loan              

239,000

      

239,000

 
Sale of Private Placement Units  

115,000

   1         

1,149,999

      

1,150,000

 
Initial fair value of private warrant liability              

(7,763

)     

(7,763

)
Remeasurement of Class A common stock to redemption amount              (1,490,005)    (1,490,005)
Net loss                 (522,132)  (522,132)
Balance - September 30, 2022  636,675  $

2

   2,875,000  $3  $30,231  $(4,937,928) $(4,907,692)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

F-5

 

  Shares  Amount  Shares  Amount  Capital  Deficit  Deficit 
  For the Period from February 12, 2021 (inception) through March 31, 2021 
  

Class A

Common Stock

  

Class B

Common Stock

  Additional Paid-in  Accumulated  Total Stockholders’ 
  Shares  Amount  Shares  Amount  Capital  Deficit  Equity 
Balance - February 12, 2021 (inception)                     
Balance                     
Issuance of Class B common stock to Sponsor        2,875,000   3   24,997      25,000 
Capital Contribution              229   

   229 
Net loss                 (229)  (229)
Net income (loss)                 (229)  (229)
Balance - March 31, 2021    $   2,875,000  $3  $25,226  $(229) $25,000 
Balance    $   2,875,000  $3  $25,226  $(229) $25,000 

PONO CAPITAL CORP

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

(UNAUDITED)

  Class A
Common Stock
  Class B
Common Stock
  Additional
Paid-in
  Accumulated  Total
Stockholders’
 
  Shares  Amount  Shares  Amount  Capital  Deficit  Deficit 
Balance - February 12, 2021 (inception)    $    $  $  $  $ 
Issuance of Class B common stock to Sponsor        2,875,000   3   24,997      25,000 
Capital Contribution              229      229 
Net loss                 (229)  (229)
Balance - March 31, 2021        2,875,000   3   25,226   (229)  25,000 
Net income                 5   5 
Balance - June 30, 2021    $   2,875,000  $3  $25,226  $(224) $25,005 
Balance    $   2,875,000  $3  $25,226  $(224) $25,005 
Sale of Public Units  11,500,000   12         114,999,988      115,000,000 
Class A Common Stock subject to possible redemption  (11,500,000)  (12)        (114,999,988)     (115,000,000)
Sale of Private Placement Units  521,675   1         5,216,749      5,216,750 
Initial fair value of private warrant liability              (437,816)     (437,816)
Accretion redemption value of Class A common stock              (16,815,322)     (16,815,322)
Net loss                 (1,299,503)  (1,299,503)
Net income (loss)                 (1,299,503)  (1,299,503)
Re-classification              12,011,163   (12,011,163)   
Adjustment of offering cost                 (1,250)  (1,250)
Balance - September 30, 2021  521,675  $1   2,875,000  $3  $  $(13,312,140) $(13,312,136)
Balance  521,675  $1   2,875,000  $3  $  $(13,312,140) $(13,312,136)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

5F-6

 

PONO CAPITAL CORP

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

 

        
 Three Months Ended March 31, 2022  For the Period from February 12, 2021 (inception) through March 31, 2021  Nine Months Ended September 30,
2022
  For the Period
from February 12,
2021 (inception)
through
September 30,
2021
 
Cash flows from operating activities:                
Net income (loss) $1,650,541  $(229) $2,488,938  $(1,299,727)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities:                
Dividends earned on marketable securities held in Trust Account  (11,754)     (699,327)   
Formation costs paid by stockholder in form of capital contribution     229      229 
Interest earned on marketable securities held in Trust Account     (747)
Offering costs allocated to warrants     505,696 
Change in fair value of Sponsor Working Capital Loan  4,200    
Change in fair value of warrant liability  (2,096,939)     (3,431,576)  680,914 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:                
Prepaid expenses  29,017      156,962   (315,687)
Accounts payable  123,847      651,410    
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities  67,478      (1,907)  29,560 
Income tax payable  112,535    
Franchise tax payable  (70,647)     29,353    
Net cash used in operating activities  (308,457)     (689,412)  (399,762)
                
Cash flows from investing activities:        
Investment of cash in Trust Account  (1,150,000)  (116,725,000)
Net cash used in investing activities  

(1,150,000

)  (116,725,000)
        
Cash flows from financing activities:                
Proceeds from Sponsor Working Capital Loan  470,000    
Proceeds from issuance of Class B common stock to Sponsor     25,000      25,000 
Proceeds from sale of Units, net of underwriting discount paid     113,050,000 
Proceeds from sale of private placement units  

1,150,000

   5,216,750 
Payment of offering costs     (770,143)
Net cash provided by financing activities     25,000   1,620,000   117,521,607 
                
Net change in cash  (308,457)  25,000   (219,412)  396,845 
Cash at the beginning of the period  337,595      337,595    
Cash at the end of the period $29,138  $25,000  $118,183  $396,845 
                
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities                
Accrued deferred offering costs $  $50,000 
Remeasurement of Class A common stock to redemption amount $1,490,005  $ 
Proceeds in excess of initial fair value of working capital loans $378,000     
Deferred underwriting fee payable $  $3,450,000 
Initial Classification of Class A common stock subject to redemption $  $116,725,000 
Proceeds from promissory note and repayment $  $186,542 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

6F-7

 

 

PONO CAPITAL CORP


NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2022
(UNAUDITED)

MARCH 31, 2022

(UNAUDITED)

NOTE 1. DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS AND LIQUIDITY

 

Pono Capital Corp (the “Company” or “Pono”) is a blank check company incorporated in Delaware on February 12, 2021. As used herein, “the Company” refers to Pono Capital Corp, and its wholly owned and controlled subsidiary, Pono Merger Sub, Inc. (“Merger Sub”), unless the context indicates otherwise. The Company was formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses (the “Business Combination”). The Company is an emerging growth company and, as such, the Company is subject to all of the risks associated with emerging growth companies.

 

The Company has neither engaged in any operations nor generated any revenues to date. The Company’s only activities for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2022 and for the period from February 12, 2021 (inception) through December 31, 2021 were organizational activities, those necessary to prepare for the Initial Public Offering (“Initial Public Offering”) and identifying a target company for a Business Combination. The Company will not generate any operating revenues until after the completion of its initial Business Combination, at the earliest. The Company generates non-operating income in the form of interestinvestment income on cash and cash equivalents from the proceeds derived from the Initial Public Offering (as defined below)above). The Company has selected December 31 as its fiscal year end.

 

The Company’s sponsor is Mehana Equity LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Sponsor”). The registration statement for the Company’s Initial Public Offering was declared effective on August 10, 2021. On August 13, 2021, the Company consummated its Initial Public Offering of 10,000,000units (the “Units” and, with respect to the Class A common stock included in the Units being offered, the “Public Shares”), at $10.00per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $100,000,000(see (see Note 3) (the “Initial Public Offering”). The Company granted the underwriter a 45-day option to purchase up to an additional 1,500,000Units at the Initial Public Offering price to cover over-allotments, if any.

 

Simultaneously with the consummation of the closing of the Offering, the Company consummated the private placement of an aggregate of 469,175 units (the “Placement Units”) to the Sponsor at a price of $10.00 per Placement Unit, generating total gross proceeds of $4,691,750 (the “Private Placement”) (see Note 4).

 

Subsequently, on August 18, 2021, the underwriters exercised the over-allotment option in full, and the closing of the issuance and sale of the additional Units occurred (the “Over-allotment Option Units”). The total aggregate issuance by the Company of 1,500,000 Units at a price of $10.00 per Unit resulted in total gross proceeds of $15,000,000. On August 18, 2021, simultaneously with the sale of the Over-allotment Option Units, the Company consummated the private sale of an additional 52,500 Placement Units, generating gross proceeds of $525,000. The Placement Units were issued pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as the transactions did not involve a public offering.

 

A total of $116,725,000, comprised of the proceeds from the Offering and the proceeds of Private Placements that closed on August 13, 2021 and August 18, 2021, net of the underwriting commissions, discounts, and offering expenses, was deposited in a trust account (the “Trust Account”) established for the benefit of the Company’s public stockholders.

 

Transaction costs of the Initial Public Offering amounted to $6,168,893, consisting of $1,950,000 of underwriting fees, $3,450,000 of deferred underwriting fees (see Note 6) and $768,893 of other costs.

 

Following the closing of the Initial Public Offering and full exercise of underwriter’s over-allotment option, $823,378of cash was held outside of the Trust Account available for working capital purposes. As of March 31,September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company had $29,138 118,183and $337,595of cash available on the condensed consolidated balance sheets, respectively, and a working capital deficit of $195,188 1,001,001and a working capital surplus of $262,964, respectively.

F-8

PONO CAPITAL CORP
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2022
(UNAUDITED)

 

The Company’s management has broad discretion with respect to the specific application of the net proceeds of the Initial Public Offering and the sale of the Placement Units, although substantially all of the net proceeds are intended to be applied generally toward consummating a Business Combination. NASDAQ rules provide that the Business Combination must be with one or more target businesses that together have a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the balance in the Trust Account (as defined below) (less any deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on interest earned on the Trust Account) at the time of the signing of a definitive agreement to enter a Business Combination. The Company will only complete a Business Combination if the post-Business Combination company owns or acquires 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to successfully effect a Business Combination.

7

PONO CAPITAL CORP

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2022

(UNAUDITED)

 

The Company will provide its stockholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their Public Shares upon the completion of a Business Combination either (i) in connection with a stockholder meeting called to approve the Business Combination or (ii) by means of a tender offer. In connection with a proposed Business Combination, the Company may seek stockholder approval of a Business Combination at a meeting called for such purpose at which stockholders may seek to redeem their shares, regardless of whether they vote for or against a Business Combination. The Company will proceed with a Business Combination only if the Company has net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 upon such consummation of a Business Combination and, if the Company seeks stockholder approval, a majority of the outstanding shares voted are voted in favor of the Business Combination.

 

The Company will have until August 13, 2022 (or up to February 13, 2023 as applicable) to consummate a Business Combination. If the Company is unable to complete a Business Combination within 12 months (or up to 18 months from the closing of the IPO at the election of the Company in two separate three month extensions subject to satisfaction of certain conditions, including the deposit of up to $1,000,000, or $1,150,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full ($0.10 per Unit in either case) for each three month extension, into the Trust Account, or as extended by the Company’s stockholders in accordance with the third amended and restated certificate of incorporation) from the closing of the Offering to consummate a Business Combination (the “Combination Period”), the Company will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but no more than five business days thereafter, redeem 100% of the outstanding Public Shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned (net of taxes payable and less interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the remaining stockholders and the Company’s board of directors, proceed to commence a voluntary liquidation and thereby a formal dissolution of the Company, subject in each case to its obligations to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of applicable law.

 

The underwriter has agreed to waive its rights to the deferred underwriting commission held in the Trust Account in the event the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period and, in such event, such amounts will be included with the funds held in the Trust Account that will be available to fund the redemption of the Public Shares. In the event of such distribution, it is possible that the per share value of the assets remaining available for distribution will be less than the amount per Unit in the Trust Account ($10.15).

F-9

PONO CAPITAL CORP
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2022
(UNAUDITED)

 

The Sponsor has agreed that it will be liable to the Company, if and to the extent any claims by a vendor for services rendered or products sold to the Company, or a prospective target business with which the Company has discussed entering into a transaction agreement, reduce the amounts in the Trust Account to below $10.15 per share (whether or not the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), except as to any claims by a third party who executed a waiver of any and all rights to seek access to the Trust Account and except as to any claims under the Company’s indemnity of the underwriters of the Offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). In the event that an executed waiver is deemed to be unenforceable against a third party, the Sponsor will not be responsible to the extent of any liability for such third-party claims. The Company will seek to reduce the possibility that the Sponsor will have to indemnify the Trust Account due to claims of creditors by endeavoring to have all vendors, service providers (except for the Company’s independent registered accounting firm), prospective target businesses or other entities with which the Company does business, execute agreements with the Company waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to monies held in the Trust Account.

 

8

PONO CAPITAL CORP

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2022

(UNAUDITED)

Termination of Old Proposed Business Combination

 

On March 17, 2022, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger“Old Merger Agreement”), by and among Pono, Merger Sub, Benuvia, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Benuvia”), Mehana Equity, LLC, in its capacity as Purchaser Representative, and Shannon Soqui, in his capacity as Seller Representative.

 

Pursuant to the Old Merger Agreement, at the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Old Merger Agreement, Merger Sub would merge with and into Benuvia, with Benuvia continuing as the surviving corporation.

The Business Combination Agreement and related agreements are further described in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 18, 2022.

F-10

PONO CAPITAL CORP
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2022
(UNAUDITED)

On August 8, 2022, the Company and Benuvia mutually terminated the Merger Agreement pursuant to Section 8.1(a) of the Merger Agreement, effective immediately. Neither party was required to pay the other a termination fee as a result of the mutual decision to terminate the Merger Agreement.

New Proposed Business Combination

On September 7, 2022, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among Pono, Pono Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Pono (“Merger Sub”), AERWINS Technologies Inc., a Delaware corporation (“AERWINS”), Mehana Equity, LLC, in its capacity as Purchaser Representative, and Shuhei Komatsu, in his capacity as Seller Representative.

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (the “Closing”), Merger Sub will merge with and into Benuvia,AERWINS, with BenuviaAERWINS continuing as the surviving corporation (the “Surviving Corporation”).

 

As consideration for the Merger, the holders of BenuviaAERWINS securities collectively shall be entitled to receive from the Company, in the aggregate, a number of the Company’s securities with an aggregate value equal to (the “Merger Consideration”) (a) FourSix Hundred Million U.S. Dollars ($400,000,000600,000,000), minus (b) the amount by which the aggregate amount of any outstanding indebtedness (minus cash held by Benuvia)AERWINS) of BenuviaAERWINS at Closing (the “Closing Net Indebtedness”) exceeds Forty Million Dollars ($40,000,000), and minus (c) the valueamount by which AERWINS’ Net Working Capital is less than $3 million, plus (d) the amount by which AERWINS’ Net Working Capital exceeds $3 million, minus (e) specified transaction expenses of AERWNS associated with the options of Benuvia held by employees and consultants that are vested at the Closing that are assumed by the Company (“Vested Options”),Merger, with each BenuviaAERWINS stockholder receiving, for each share of BenuviaAERWINS common stock held, a number of shares of the Company’sCompany common stock equal to (i) the Per Share Price,Consideration, divided by (ii) $10.00 (the total portion. Each outstanding option or warrant to purchase AERWINS common stock shall be converted into the right to receive an option or warrant to purchase a number of shares of the MergerCompany common stock equal to (x) the Per Share Consideration amount payable to all Benuvia stockholders in accordance with the Merger Agreement is also referred to herein as the “Stockholder Merger Consideration”)divided by (y) $10.00.

 

The Merger Consideration otherwise payable to BenuviaAERWINS stockholders is subject to the withholding of two escrows: (i) a number of shares of the Company’sCompany common stock equal to fivethree percent (5.0%(3.0%) of the Merger Consideration to be placed in escrow for post-closing adjustments (if any) to the Merger Consideration and (ii) a number of shares mutually agreeable between Benuvia and us not to exceed twenty percent (20.0%) of the Merger Consideration (the “Price Protection Escrow Amount”) to be held for downside protection for non-redeeming stockholders following Closing.Consideration.

 

The Merger Consideration is subject to adjustment after the Closing based on confirmed amounts of the Closing Net Indebtedness, of BenuviaNet Working Capital and transaction expenses as of the Closing Date. If the adjustment is a negative adjustment in favor of the Company, the escrow agent shall distribute to usthe Company a number of shares of the Company’sCompany common stock with a value equal to the absolute value of the adjustment amount. If the adjustment is a positive adjustment in favor of Benuvia,AERWINS, the Company will issue to the BenuviaAERWINS stockholders an additional number of shares of the Company’sCompany common stock with a value equal to the adjustment amount.

 

The Business Combination Agreement and related agreements are further described in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 18,September 7, 2022.

F-11

PONO CAPITAL CORP
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2022
(UNAUDITED)

 

Going Concern and Management Liquidity Plans

 

As of March 31,September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company had $29,138118,183 and $337,595in cash, respectively, and a working capital deficit of $195,1881,001,001 and a working capital surplus of $262,964, respectively. The Company’s liquidity needs prior to the consummation of the Initial Public Offering had been satisfied through proceeds from notes payable and from the issuance of common stock. The Company expects that it will need additional capital to satisfy its liquidity needs beyond the net proceeds from the consummation of the Initial Public Offering held outside of the Trust Account for paying existing accounts payable and consummating the Business Combination. Although certain of the Company’s initial stockholders, officers and directors or their affiliates have committed to up to $1,500,000Working Capital Loans (see Note 5) from time to time or at any time, there is no guarantee that the Company will receive such funds.

 

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), which contemplates continuation of the Company as a going concern and the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The Company has incurred and expects to continue to incur significant costs in pursuit of the Company’s financing and acquisition plans. Management plans to address this uncertainty with the successful closing of thea Business Combination. The Company will have until August 13, 2022 (or up to February 13, 2023 as applicable) to consummate a Business Combination. If a Business Combination is not consummated by February 13, 2023, which is less than one year after the date these condensed consolidated financial statements are issued, there will be a mandatory liquidation and subsequent dissolution of the Company. Management has determined that the mandatory liquidation, should a Business Combination not occur, and potential subsequent dissolution, raises substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. No adjustments have been made to the carrying amounts of assets or liabilities should the Company be required to liquidate after February 13, 2023. The Company intends to complete the proposed Business Combination before the mandatory liquidation date. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to consummate any Business Combination by February 13, 2023. Based upon the above analysis, management determined that these conditionsliquidity concerns and the mandatory liquidation raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within less than one year after the date the condensed consolidated financial statements are issued. The condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

9

PONO CAPITAL CORP

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2022

(UNAUDITED)

 

Risks and Uncertainties

 

Management continues to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and has concluded that while it is reasonably possible that the virus could have a negative effect on the Company’s financial position, results of its operations and/or search for a target company, the specific impact is not readily determinable as of the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements. The condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

 

Additionally, as a result of the military action commenced in February 2022 by the Russian Federation and Belarus in the country of Ukraine and related economic sanctions, the Company’s ability to consummate a Business Combination, or the operations of a target business with which the Company ultimately consummates a Business Combination, may be materially and adversely affected. Further, the Company’s ability to consummate a transaction may be dependent on the ability to raise equity and debt financing which may be impacted by these events, including as a result of increased market volatility, or decreased market liquidity in third-party financing being unavailableavailable on terms acceptable to the Company or at all. The impact of this action and related sanctions on the world economy and the specific impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and/or ability to consummate a Business Combination are not yet determinable. The condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

On August 16, 2022, President Biden signed into law the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which, among other things, imposes a 1% excise tax on the fair market value of stock repurchased by publicly traded U.S. corporations and certain U.S. subsidiaries of publicly traded non-U.S. corporations beginning in 2023, with certain exceptions (the “Excise Tax”). Because we are a Delaware corporation and our securities trade on the New York Stock Exchange, we will likely be considered a “covered corporation” within the meaning of the Inflation Reduction Act. While not free from doubt, absent any further guidance from Congress or the U.S. Department of the Treasury, there is significant risk that the Excise Tax will apply to any redemptions of our common stock after December 31, 2022, including redemptions in connection with an initial Business Combination and any amendment to our certificate of incorporation to extend the time to consummate an initial Business Combination, unless an exemption is available. In addition, the Excise Tax may make a transaction with us less appealing to potential business combination targets, and thus, potentially hinder our ability to enter into and consummate an initial Business Combination. Further, the application of the Excise Tax in the event of a liquidation after December 31, 2022 is uncertain, and could impact the per-share amount that would otherwise be received by our stockholders in connection with our liquidation.

F-12

PONO CAPITAL CORP
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2022
(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company are presented in conformity with GAAP and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. Certain information or footnote disclosures normally included in consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC for interim financial reporting. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes necessary for a comprehensive presentation of financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. In the opinion of management, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of a normal recurring nature, which are necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, operating results and cash flows for the periods presented. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Form 10-K as filed with the SEC on March 25, 2022. The interim results for the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2022 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2022 or for any future periods.

 

Emerging Growth Company

 

The Company is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”), and it may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.

10

PONO CAPITAL CORP

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2022

(UNAUDITED)

 

Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such election to opt out is irrevocable. The Company has elected not to opt out of such extended transition period which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, the Company, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.

F-13

PONO CAPITAL CORP
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2022
(UNAUDITED)

 

Making estimates requires management to exercise significant judgment. It is at least reasonably possible that the estimate of the effect of a condition, situation or set of circumstances that existed at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements, which management considered in formulating its estimate, could change in the near term due to one or more future confirming events. Accordingly, the actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. Significant estimates made by the Company include those pertaining to the valuation of the warrant liabilities and working capital loan.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents are carried at cost, which approximates fair value. The Company had $29,138118,183 and $337,595 in cash as of March 31,September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. The Company did 0not have any cash equivalents as of March 31,September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021.

 

Marketable Securities Held in Trust Account

 

As of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, substantially all of the Company’s investments held in the Trust Account are classified as trading securities. Trading securities are presented on the condensed consolidated balance sheetssheet at fair value at the end of each reporting period. Gains and losses resulting from the change in fair value of these securities isinvestments held in Trust Account are included in unrealized gains (losses)Dividends earned on investmentsmarketable securities held in Trust Account in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations. Interest and dividend income on these securities is included in interest and dividend income on investments held in Trust Account in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations. At March 31,September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the investments held in the Trust Account totaled $116,739,967118,577,540 and $116,728,213, respectively.

 

Income Taxes

 

The Company complies with the accounting and reporting requirements of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 740 - Income Taxes (“ASC 740”) which requires an asset and liability approach to financial accounting and reporting for income taxes. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are computed for differences between the condensed consolidated financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities that will result in future taxable or deductible amounts, based on enacted tax laws and rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realizedrealized. ASC 740 prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the condensed consolidated financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities.

The Company’s management determined the United States is the Company’s only major tax jurisdiction. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits, if any, as income tax expense. There were 0no unrecognized tax benefits as of March 31,September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 and 0no amounts accrued for interest and penalties. The Company is currently not aware of any issues under review that could result in significant payments, accruals or material deviation from its position. The Company is subject to income tax examinations by major taxing authorities since inception. The Company’s effective tax rate from continuing operations was -26.6% and 4.3% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively, and 0.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and for the period from February 12, 2021 (inception) through September 30, 2021.

 

See Note 8 for additional information on income taxes for the periods presented.

11F-14

 

 

PONO CAPITAL CORP


NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2022
(UNAUDITED)

MARCH 31, 2022

(UNAUDITED)

 

Class A Common Stock Subject to Possible Redemption

 

All of the Class A common stock sold as part of the Units in the Initial Public Offering contain a redemption feature which allows for the redemption of such Public Shares in connection with the Company’s liquidation, if there is a stockholder vote or tender offer in connection with the Business Combination and in connection with certain amendments to the Company’s third amended and restated certificate of incorporation. In accordance with ASC 480 Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (“ASC 480”), conditionally redeemable Class A common stock (including shares of Class A common stock that feature redemption rights that are either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within the Company’s control) are classified as temporary equity. Ordinary liquidation events, which involve the redemption and liquidation of all of the entity’s equity instruments, are excluded from the provisions of ASC 480. Although the Company did not specify a maximum redemption threshold, its charter provides that currently, the Company will not redeem its Public Shares in an amount that would cause its net tangible assets (stockholders’ equity) to be less than $5,000,001. However, the threshold in its charter would not change the nature of the underlying shares as redeemable and thus Public Shares would be required to be disclosed outside of permanent equity. The Company recognizes changes in redemption value immediately as they occur and adjusts the carrying value of redeemable common stock to equal the redemption value ($10.15 per share) at the end of each reporting period. Such changes are reflected in additional paid-in capital, or in the absence of additional paid-in capital, in accumulated deficit.

 

As of March 31,September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, 11,500,000 shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding are subject to possible redemption.

 

As of March 31,September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Class A Common Stock reflected on the condensed consolidated balance sheets are reconciled in the following table:

 

SCHEDULE OF CONTINGENTLY REDEEMABLE CLASS A COMMON STOCK

Gross Proceeds $115,000,000  $115,000,000 
Less:        
Proceeds allocated to public warrants  (9,427,125)  (9,427,125)
Class A common stock issuance costs  (5,663,197)  (5,663,197)
Plus:        
Remeasurement of carrying value to redemption value  16,815,322   16,815,322 
Redeemable Class A Common Stock $116,725,000 
Redeemable Class A Common Stock as of December 31, 2021  116,725,000 
Plus:    
Remeasurement of carrying value to redemption value  1,490,005 
Redeemable Class A Common Stock as of September 30, 2022  118,215,005 

Concentration of Credit Risk

 

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk consist of a cash account in a financial institution which, at times may exceed the Federal depository insurance coverage of $250,000. As of March 31,September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company had not experienced losses on this account and management believes the Company is not exposed to significant risks on such account.

 

Net Income (Loss) Per Share

 

Net income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the period. Therefore, the income (loss) per share calculation allocates income (losses) shared pro rata between Class A and Class B common stock. As a result, the calculated net income (loss) per share is the same for Class A and Class B common stock. The Company has not considered the effect of the Public Warrants (as defined in Note 3) and Placement Warrants (as defined in Note 4), to purchase an aggregate of 6,762,1929,102,506 shares in the calculation of income (loss) per share, since the exercise of the warrants is contingent upon the occurrence of future events.

 

12F-15

 

PONO CAPITAL CORP


NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2022
(UNAUDITED)

MARCH 31, 2022

(UNAUDITED)

 

The following table reflects the calculation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share (in dollars, except per share amounts):

 

SCHEDULE OF BASIC AND DILUTED NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE

 Class A  Class B  Class A  Class B                                 
 

Three Months Ended

March 31, 2022

  

For the Period from

February 12, 2021

(inception) through

March 31, 2021

  Three Months Ended
September 30,
2022
  Three Months Ended
September 30,
2021
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2022
  For the Period from
February 12, 2021
(inception) through
September 30,
2021
 
 Class A  Class B  Class A  Class B  Class A  Class B  Class A  Class B  Class A  Class B  Class A  Class B 
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share:                                                
Numerator:                                                
Net income (loss) $1,331,993  $318,548  $  $(229) $(421,792) $(100,340) $(931,099) $(368,404) $2,009,274  $479,664  $(710,219) $(589,508)
Denominator:                                                
Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding  12,021,675   2,875,000      520,833   12,085,425   2,875,000   6,318,473   2,500,000   12,043,159   2,875,000   2,516,448   2,088,745 
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share $0.11  $0.11  $  $(0.00) $(0.03) $(0.03) $(0.15) $(0.15) $0.17  $0.17  $(0.28) $(0.28)

Offering Costs associated with the Initial Public Offering

 

Offering costs consisted of legal, accounting, underwriting fees and other costs incurred through the Initial Public Offering that were directly related to the Initial Public Offering. Offering costs are allocated to the separable financial instruments issued in the Initial Public Offering based on a relative fair value basis, compared to total proceeds received. Offering costs associated with derivative warrant liabilities are expensed as incurred, and presented as non-operating expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. Offering costs associated with the Class A common stock were charged to stockholders’ equity upon the completion of the Initial Public Offering.

 

Warrant Liabilities

 

The Company accounts for the Warrants in accordance with the guidance contained in ASC 815-40 Derivatives and Hedging - Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (“ASC 815”) under which the Warrants do not meet the criteria for equity treatment and must be recorded as liabilities. Accordingly, the Company classifies the Warrants as liabilities at their fair value and adjust the Warrants to fair value at each reporting period. This liability is subject to re-measurement at each balance sheet date until exercised, and any change in fair value is recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The Private Placement Warrants and the Public Warrants for periods where no observable traded price was available are valued using a Monte Carlo simulation. For periods subsequent to the detachment of the Public Warrants from the Units, the Public Warrant quoted market price was used as the fair value as of each relevant date.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

The Company applies ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement (“ASC 820”), which establishes a framework for measuring fair value and clarifies the definition of fair value within that framework. The Fair value is defined as the price that would be received for sale of an asset or paid for transfer of a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. GAAP establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). These tiers include:

 

● Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical instruments in active markets;

 

● Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable such as quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets or quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and

F-16

PONO CAPITAL CORP
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2022
(UNAUDITED)

 

● Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions, such as valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable.

13

PONO CAPITAL CORP

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2022

(UNAUDITED)

 

In some circumstances, the inputs used to measure fair value might be categorized within different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In those instances, the fair value measurement is categorized in its entirety in the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments

 

The Company accounts for derivative financial instruments in accordance with ASC 815. For derivative financial instruments that are accounted for as liabilities, the derivative instrument is initially recorded at its fair value upon issuance and remeasured at each reporting date, with changes in the fair value reported in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The classification of derivative financial instruments is evaluated at the end of each reporting period.

 

Sponsor Working Capital Loans

The Company accounts for the Sponsor Working Capital Loans (defined below in Note 5) under ASC 815. The Company has made the election under ASC 815-15-25 to account for the Sponsor Working Capital Loans under the fair value option. Using the fair value option, the Sponsor Working Capital Loans are required to be recorded at their initial fair value on the date of issuance, and each reporting period thereafter. Differences between the face value of the note and fair value at issuance are recognized as either an expense in the statement of condensed consolidated operations (if issued at a premium) or as a capital contribution (if issued at a discount). Changes in the estimated fair value of the Sponsor Working Capital Loan are recognized as non-cash gains or losses in the condensed consolidated statement of operations.

Principles of Consolidation

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its majority-owned and controlled operating subsidiary, Merger Sub, after elimination of all intercompany transactions and balances as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In August 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2020-06, Debt — Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging — Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40) (“ASU 2020-06”) to simplify accounting for certain financial instruments. ASU 2020-06 eliminates the current models that require separation of beneficial conversion and cash conversion features from convertible instruments and simplifies the derivative scope exception guidance pertaining to equity classification of contracts in an entity’s own equity. The new standard also introduces additional disclosures for convertible debt and freestanding instruments that are indexed to and settled in an entity’s own equity. ASU 2020-06 amends the diluted earnings per share guidance, including the requirement to use the if-converted method for all convertible instruments. ASU 2020-06 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023 and should be applied on a full or modified retrospective basis, with early adoption permitted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. The Company adopted ASU 2020-06 effective January 1, 2022 using the modified retrospective method of transition. The adoption of ASU 2020-06 did not have a material impact on the financial statements as of January 1, 2022 or for the threenine months ended March 31, 2022 and for the period from February 12, 2021 (inception) through March 31, 2021.

September 30, 2022.

 

The Company’s management does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

NOTE 3. INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING

 

Following the closing of the Initial Public Offering on August 13, 2021 and the sale of the Over-allotment Option Units on August 18, 2021, the Company sold 11,500,000 Units at a purchase price of $10.00 per Unit. Each Unit consists of one common stock and three-quarters of one redeemable warrant (“Public Warrant”). Each Public Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase three-quarters of one common stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per whole share.

F-17

PONO CAPITAL CORP
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2022
(UNAUDITED)

NOTE 4. PRIVATE PLACEMENT

 

Following the closing of the Initial Public Offering and the sale of the Over-allotment Option Units, the Sponsor purchased an aggregate of 521,675 Private Placement Units at a price of $10.00 per Private Placement Unit for an aggregate purchase price of $5,216,750.

 

On August 10, 2022, the Company received $1,150,000 in funding from Mehana Capital LLC (“Mehana Capital”), an affiliate of the Sponsor to extend the Combination Period for an additional three months, as described in Note 1. Mehana Capital purchased an aggregate of 115,000 placement units of the Company, each unit consists of one share of Class A common stock, $0.000001 par value per share, and three-quarters of one warrant, each whole Placement Warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one share of Class A Common Stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share (the “Placement Units”), creating proceeds to the Company of $1,150,000 which was deposited into the trust account.

The proceeds from the sale of the Private Placement Units were added to the net proceeds from the Offering held in the Trust Account. The Placement Units are identical to the Units sold in the Initial Public Offering, except for the placement warrants (“Placement Warrants”), as described in Note 7. If the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period, the proceeds from the sale of the Placement Units will be used to fund the redemption of the Public Shares (subject to the requirements of applicable law) and the Placement Warrants will expire worthless.

 

NOTE 5. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

Founder Shares

 

On March 22, 2021, the Company issued an aggregate of 2,875,000 shares of Class B common stock to the Sponsor for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000 in cash. Such Class B common stock includes an aggregate of up to 375,000 shares that were subject to forfeiture by the Sponsor to the extent that the underwriters’ over-allotment is not exercised in full or in part, so that the Sponsor will collectively own at least 20% of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares after the Offering (assuming the initial stockholders do not purchase any Public Shares in the Offering and excluding the Placement Units and underlying securities). The underwriters exercised the over-allotment option in full, so those shares are no longer subject to forfeiture.

 

The initial stockholders have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of the Class B common stock (except to certain permitted transferees) until, with respect to any of the Class B common stock, the earlier of (i) six months after the date of the consummation of a Business Combination, or (ii) the date on which the closing price of the Company’s common stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations and recapitalizations) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing after a Business Combination,, with respect to the remaining any of the Class B common stock, upon six months after the date of the consummation of a Business Combination, or earlier, in each case, if, subsequent to a Business Combination, the Company consummates a subsequent liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of the Company’s stockholders having the right to exchange their common stock for cash, securities or other property.

14

PONO CAPITAL CORP

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2022

(UNAUDITED)

 

Promissory Note - Related Party

 

On March 22, 2021, the Sponsor committed to loan the Company an aggregate of up to $300,000 to cover expenses related to the Initial Public Offering pursuant to a promissory note (the “Note”). The Note was non-interest bearing and was payable on the earlier of July 31, 2021 or the completion of the Initial Public Offering. Upon IPO, the Company had borrowed $186,542 under the Note. On August 17, 2021, the outstanding balance owed under the Note was repaid in full.

 

F-18

PONO CAPITAL CORP
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2022
(UNAUDITED)

Related Party Loans

 

In order to finance transaction costs in connection with a Business Combination, the Sponsor may provide the Company with a loan up to $1,500,000 as may be required (“Sponsor Working Capital Loans”). Such Sponsor Working Capital Loans would either be repaid upon consummation of a Business Combination, without interest, or, at the lender’s discretion, up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be converted upon consummation of a Business Combination into additional Placement Units at a price of $10.00 per Unit. In the event that a Business Combination does not close, the Company may use a portion of proceeds held outside the Trust Account to repay the Sponsor Working Capital Loans, but no proceeds held in the Trust Account would be used to repay the Sponsor Working Capital Loans. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31,

On September 23, 2021, there were no amounts outstanding under anythe Company entered into a Sponsor Working Capital Loans.Loan in the amount of up to $1,500,000. During the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company received proceeds of $295,000 and $470,000 respectively. The Sponsor Working Capital Loan is non-interest bearing and payable upon the earlier of (i) completion of the initial Business Combination or (ii) the date the winding up of the Company is effective. The unpaid principal balance on the Sponsor Working Capital Loan may be convertible into units at the option of the Sponsor at a price of $10.00 per unit. The unit would be identical to the Private Placement Units. Using the fair value option, the Sponsor Working Capital Loan is required to be recorded at its’ initial fair value on the date of issuance, and each reporting period thereafter. Differences between the face value of the Sponsor Working Capital Loan and fair value at issuance are recognized as either an expense in the condensed consolidated statement of operations (if issued at a premium) or as a capital contribution (if issued at a discount). Changes in the estimated fair value of the Sponsor Working Capital Loan are recognized as a non-cash gain or losses in the condensed consolidated statement of operations. The aggregate fair value of the Sponsor Working Capital Loan was estimated to be $92,000 at initial measurement. The aggregate fair value of the Sponsor Working Capital Loan was estimated to be $96,200 at September 30, 2022.

 

If the Company anticipates that it may not be able to consummate the initial Business Combination within 1218 months from the date of the Initial Public Offering, the Company may, by resolution of the board if requested by the Sponsor, extend the period of time to consummate a Business Combination up to two times, each by an additional three months (for a total of up to 18 months to complete a Business Combination), subject to the Sponsor depositing additional funds into the Trust Account as set out below. Pursuant to the terms of the third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the trust agreement entered into between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, in order for the time available for the Company to consummate the initial Business Combination to be extended, the Sponsor or its affiliates or designees, must deposit into the Trust Account $1,150,000 with the underwriters’ over-allotment option exercised in full ($0.10 per Unit in either case), on or prior to the date of the applicable deadline, for each of the available three month extensions, providing a total possible Business Combination period of 18 months at a total payment value of $2,300,000 with the underwriters’ over-allotment option exercised in full ($0.10 per Unit). Any such payments would be made in the form of a loan. Any such loans will be non-interest bearing and payable upon the consummation of a Business Combination out of the proceeds of the Trust Account released to it.the Surviving Corporation.

Extension Private Placements

On August 10, 2022, the Company received $1,150,000 in funding from Mehana Capital, an affiliate of the Sponsor, to extend the Combination Period for an additional three months (the “August Extension”), as described in Note 1. Mehana Capital purchased an aggregate of 115,000 Placement Units of the Company, each unit consists of one share of Class A common stock, $0.000001 par value per share, and three-quarters of one warrant, each whole Placement Warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one share of Class A Common Stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share, creating proceeds to the Company of $1,150,000 which was deposited into the trust account as further described in the Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 10, 2022.

On November 9, 2022, the Company received an additional $1,150,000 in funding, of which $575,000 was from Mehana Capital and $575,000 was from AERWINS, to further extend the Combination Period for an additional three months to February 13, 2023 (the “November Extension”). Mehana Capital purchased an additional 57,500 Placement Units and AERWINS purchased 57,500 Placement Unites, creating proceeds to the Company of $1,150,000 which was deposited into the trust account as further described in the Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 10, 2022.

The proceeds from the sale of the Private Placement Units from both the August Extension and the November Extension were added to the net proceeds from the Offering held in the Trust Account. The Placement Units are identical to the Units sold in the Initial Public Offering, except for the Placement Warrants, as described in Note 7. If the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period, the proceeds from the sale of the Placement Units will be used to fund the redemption of the Public Shares (subject to the requirements of applicable law) and the Placement Warrants will expire worthless.

 

Administrative Support Agreement

 

The Company’s Sponsor has agreed, commencing from the date that the Company’s securities are first listed on NASDAQ through the earlier of the Company’s consummation of a Business Combination and its liquidation, to make available to the Company certain general and administrative services, including office space, utilities and administrative services, as the Company may require from time to time. The Company has agreed to pay to Mehana Equity LLC, the Sponsor, $10,000 per month for these services during the 18-month period to complete a Business Combination. The Sponsor has agreed to pay for the formation cost of $229 and waived to seek reimbursement from the Company for such cost. For the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2022, the Company incurred expenses of $30,000 and $90,000, respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2021 and for the period from February 12, 2021 (inception) through March 31,September 30, 2021, the Company incurred expenses of $30,00017,997 and $0 under the agreement, respectively.this agreement.

 

15F-19

 

PONO CAPITAL CORP


NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2022
(UNAUDITED)

MARCH 31, 2022

(UNAUDITED)

NOTE 6. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Registration Rights

The holders of the founder shares and Placement Units (including securities contained therein) and Units (including securities contained therein) that may be issued upon conversion of working capital loans, and any shares of Class A common stock issuable upon the exercise of the placement warrants and any shares of Class A common stock and warrants (and underlying Class A common stock) that may be issued upon conversion of the Units issued as part of the working capital loans and Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of the founder shares, will be entitled to registration rights pursuant to a registration rights agreement to be signed prior to or on the effective date of the IPO, requiring us to register such securities for resale (in the case of the founder shares, only after conversion to the Company’s Class A common stock). The holders of these securities are entitled to make up to two demands, excluding short form demands, that the Company register such securities. In addition, the holders have certain “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to the Company’s completion of its initial Business Combination and rights to require us to register for resale such securities pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act. The Company will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, under FINRA Rule 5110, the underwriters and/or their designees may only make a demand registration (i) on one occasion and (ii) during the five-year period beginning on the effective date of the registration statement relating to the Offering, and the underwriters and/or their designees may participate in a “piggy-back” registration only during the seven-year period beginning on the effective date of the registration statement relating to the Offering.

Underwriting Agreement

The Company granted the underwriters a 45-day option from the final prospectus relating to the Initial Public Offering to purchase up to 1,500,000 additional Units to cover over-allotments, if any, at the Initial Public Offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions.

 

The underwriters were entitled to a cash underwriting discount of: (i) two percent (2.00%) of the gross proceeds of the Offering, or $2,300,000. In addition, the underwriters are entitled to a deferred fee of three percent (3.00%) of the gross proceeds of the Offering upon closing of the Business Combination, or $3,450,000. The deferred fee will be paid in cash upon the closing of a Business Combination from the amounts held in the Trust Account, subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement.

On August 13, 2021, the underwriter has given the Company a rebatementan abatement of $350,000. The total cash underwriting fee is $1,950,000 and the deferred underwriting fee is $3,450,000.

Right of First Refusal

For a period beginning on the closing of the IPO and ending 12 months from the closing of a Business Combination, the Company has granted EF Hutton a right of first refusal to act as lead-left book running manager and lead left manager for any and all future private or public equity, convertible and debt offerings during such period. In accordance with FINRA Rule 5110(g)(3)(A)(i), such right of first refusal shall not have a duration of more than three years from the effective date of the registration statement.

F-20

PONO CAPITAL CORP
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2022
(UNAUDITED)

NOTE 7. STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

Preferred Stock — The Company is authorized to issue 1,000,000 preferred shares with a par value of $0.000001 per share with such designation, rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by the Company’s Board of Directors. On March 31,September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, there were 0no preferred shares issued or outstanding.

Class A Common Stock — The Company is authorized to issue 100,000,000 shares of Class A common stock with a par value of $0.000001 per share. Holders of the Company’s Class A common stock are entitled to one vote for each share. On March 31,September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, there were 636,675 and 521,675 shares of Class A common stock issued and outstanding, respectively, excluding 11,500,000 shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding subject to possible redemption.

Class B Common Stock — The Company is authorized to issue 10,000,000 shares of Class B common stock with a par value of $0.000001 per share. Holders of the Company’s Class B common stock are entitled to one vote for each shareshare.. On March 22, 2021, there were 2,875,000 shares of Class B common stock issued and outstanding and were held by the Sponsor. Effective as of April 15, 2021, the Sponsor transferred 100,000 shares of Class B common stock among the chief financial officer and the three independent directors. On March 31,September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, there were 2,875,000 shares of Class B common stock issued and outstanding. Shares of Class B common stock will automatically convert into shares of Class A common stock at the time of the Company’s initial Business Combination on a one-for-one basis.

16

 

PONO CAPITAL CORP

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2022

(UNAUDITED)

Warrants — In accordance with the guidance contained in ASC 815-40, the warrants issued in the Initial Public Offering do not meet the criteria for equity treatment thereunder, each warrant must be recorded as a liability. The Company will classify each warrant as a liability at its fair value, with the change in fair value recognized in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Public Warrants may only be exercised for a whole number of shares.shares at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment. No fractional warrants will be issued upon separation of the Units and only whole warrants will trade. The Public Warrants will become exercisable 30 days after the completion of a Business Combination and will expire five years after the completion of a Business Combination or earlier upon redemption or liquidation.

The Company will not be obligated to deliver any shares of Class A common stock pursuant to the exercise of a warrant and will have no obligation to settle such warrant exercise unless a registration statement under the Securities Act covering the issuance of the shares of Class A common issuable upon exercise of the warrants is then effective and a current prospectus relating to those shares of Class A common stock is available, subject to the Company satisfying its obligations with respect to registration. No warrant will be exercisable for cash or on a cashless basis, and the Company will not be obligated to issue any shares to holders seeking to exercise their warrants, unless the issuance of the shares upon such exercise is registered or qualified under the securities laws of the state of the exercising holder, or an exemption from registration is available.

The Company has agreed that as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 15 business days after the closing of its initial Business Combination, it will use its commercially reasonable efforts to file with the SEC a post-effective amendment to the registration statement or a new registration statement covering the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants, to cause such registration statement to become effective and to maintain a current prospectus relating to those shares of Class A common stock until the warrants expire or are redeemed, as specified in the warrant agreement. If a registration statement covering the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants is not effective by the 60th business day after the closing of the Company’s initial Business Combination, warrant holders may, until such time as there is an effective registration statement and during any period when the Company will have failed to maintain an effective registration statement, exercise warrants on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act or another exemption. Notwithstanding the above, if the Company’s shares of Class A common stock are at the time of any exercise of a warrant not listed on a national securities exchange such that they satisfy the definition of a “covered security” under Section 18(b)(1) of the Securities Act, it may, at its option, require holders of Public Warrants who exercise their warrants to do so on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act and, in the event the Company so elects, it will not be required to file or maintain in effect a registration statement, and in the event it does not so elect, it will use its commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify the shares under applicable blue sky laws to the extent an exemption is not available. If that exemption, or another exemption, is not available, holders will not be able to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis.

F-21

PONO CAPITAL CORP
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2022
(UNAUDITED)

Redemption of warrants when the price per Class A common stock equals or exceeds $18.00. Once the warrants become exercisable, the Company may redeem the Public Warrants:

● in whole and not in part;

● at a price of $0.01 per warrant;

● upon a minimum of 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption, or the 30-day redemption period, to each warrant holder; and

● if, and only if, the closing price of the Company’s Class A common stock equals or exceeds $18.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day period ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the Company sends the notice of redemption to the warrant holders.

If the Company calls the Public Warrants for redemption, management will have the option to require all holders that wish to exercise the Public Warrants to do so on a “cashless basis,” as described in the warrant agreement. The exercise price and number of shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants may be adjusted in certain circumstances including in the event of a stock dividend, or recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation. Additionally, in no event will the Company be required to net cash settle the warrants. If the Company is unable to complete a Business Combination within the Combination WindowPeriod and the Company liquidates the funds held in the Trust Account, holders of warrants will not receive any of such funds with respect to their warrants, nor will they receive any distribution from the Company’s assets held outside of the Trust Account with the respect to such warrants. Accordingly, the warrants may expire worthless.

17

 

PONO CAPITAL CORP

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2022

(UNAUDITED)

The Private Placement Warrants will be identical to the Public Warrants underlying the Units being sold in the Public Offering, except that the Private Placement Warrants and the Class A common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants will not be transferable, assignable or salable until 30 days after the completion of a Business Combination, subject to certain limited exceptions. Additionally, the Private Placement Warrants will be exercisable on a cashless basis and be non-redeemable so long as they are held by the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees. If the Private Placement Warrants are held by someone other than the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees, the Private Placement Warrants will be redeemable by the Company and exercisable by such holders on the same basis as the Public Warrants.

On March 31,September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, there were 8,625,000 Public Warrants. 8,625,000On September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, there were 477,506 Public Warrants and 391,256Private Placement Warrants outstanding.outstanding, respectively.

NOTE 8. INCOME TAXES

The Company’s effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 was -26.6% and 4.3%, respectively. The effective tax rate for the period from February 12, 2021 (inception) through September 30, 2021 and for the three months ended September 30, 2021 was 0.0%. The Company’s effective tax rate differs from the statutory income tax rate of 21% primarily due to the recognition of gains or losses from the changes in the fair value of warrant liabilities and the Sponsor Working Capital Loan, which are not recognized for tax purposes. The Company has historically calculated the provision for income taxes during interim reporting periods by applying an estimate of the annual effective tax rate for the full fiscal year to income or loss for the reporting period. The Company has used a discrete effective tax rate method to calculate taxes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022. The Company believes that, at this time, the use of the discrete method for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 is more appropriate than the estimated annual effective tax rate method as the estimated annual effective tax rate method is not reliable due to a high degree of uncertainty in estimating annual pretax earnings.

F-22

PONO CAPITAL CORP
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2022
(UNAUDITED)

NOTE 8.9. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The following tables present information about the Company’s assets and derivative warrant liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31,September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 and indicate the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques that the Company utilized to determine such fair value:

SCHEDULE OF ASSETS MEASURED AT FAIR VALUE ON A RECURRING BASIS BY LEVEL WITHIN FAIR VALUE HIERARCHY

Description 

Amount at

Fair Value

  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  

Amount at

Fair Value

 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 
March 31, 2022                
September 30, 2022                
Assets                                
Marketable securities held in Trust Account: $116,739,967  $116,739,967  $  $  $118,577,540  $118,577,540  $  $ 
Liabilities                                
Public Warrants $2,051,025  $2,051,025  $  $  $776,250  $  $776,250  $ 
Private Placement Warrants $95,075  $  $  $95,075  $42,976  $  $42,976  $ 
Sponsor Working Capital Loan $96,200  $  $  $96,200 

Description 

Amount at

Fair Value

  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3 
December 31, 2021                
Assets                
Marketable securities held in Trust Account: $116,728,213  $116,728,213  $  $ 
Liabilities                
Public Warrants $4,052,888  $4,052,888  $  $ 
Private Placement Warrants $190,151  $  $  $190,151 

As of March 31,September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, assets held in the Trust Account were $116,739,967118,577,540 and $116,728,213 in a mutual fund invested in U.S. Treasury Securities, respectively.

Transfers to/from Levels 1, 2 and 3 are recognized at the end of the reporting period in which a change in valuation technique or methodology occurs. The estimated fair value of the Public Warrants transferred from a Level 3 measurement to a Level 1 fair value measurement during the period from February 12, 2021 (inception) to December 31, 2021. During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Public Warrants transferred from a Level 1 measure to Level 2 due to minimal observable market activity. During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Private Warrants transferred from a Level 3 measure to a Level 2 measure as the fair value of the Public Warrants approximates the fair value of the Private Warrants.

On October 1, 2021, the Public Warrants surpassed the 52-day threshold waiting period to be publicly traded from the effective date of the Company’s Prospectus, August 10, 2021. Once publicly traded, the observable input qualifies the liability for treatment as a Level 1 liability. As such, as of March 31,September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company classified the Public Warrants as Level 1.2 and Level 1, respectively.

18F-23

 

PONO CAPITAL CORP


NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2022
(UNAUDITED)

MARCH 31,

On April 1, 2022, the Company entered into the Sponsor Working Capital Loan. Given the potential equity component of this Sponsor Working Capital Loan, it was valued using a Black-Scholes method that is adjusted for the estimated probability of the Company completing a Business Combination, which is considered to be a Level 3 fair value measurement. As such, as of September 30, 2022, the Company classified the Sponsor Working Capital Loan as Level 3.

(UNAUDITED)

The estimated value of the Public Warrants transferred from a Level 3 measurement to a Level 1 measurement from the initial measurement through December 31, 2021 was $4,052,888 as presented in the changes in fair value of Level 3 warrant liabilities table below.

SCHEDULE OF CHANGE IN FAIR VALUE OF THE WARRANT LIABILITIES

  Warrants  Working
Capital
Loans
 
Fair value as of February 12, 2021 (inception) $  $  $ 
Initial measurement on August 13, 2021 (Level 3)  9,864,941   9,864,941    
Change in fair value  (5,621,902)  (5,621,902)  
Transfer to Level 1  (4,052,888)  (4,052,888)   
Fair value as of December 31, 2021  190,151   190,151   
Change in fair value of Private Placement Warrants  (95,076)  (95,076)   
Fair value as of March 31, 2022 $95,075  $95,075  $ 
Initial measurement of draw on Sponsor Working Capital Loan on April 1, 2022    23,000 
Initial measurement of draw on Sponsor Working Capital Loan on May 24, 2022    13,000 
Change in fair value of Sponsor Working Capital Loan    (1,000)
Change in fair value of Private Placement Warrants  (71,600)   
Fair value as of June 30, 2022 $23,475  $35,000 
Initial measurement of draw on Sponsor Working Capital Loan on July 16, 2022    7,000 
Initial measurement of draw on Sponsor Working Capital Loan on August 8, 2022    13,600 
Initial measurement of Private Placement Warrants issued on August 10, 2022  7,763   
Initial measurement of draw on Sponsor Working Capital Loan on September 12, 2022    35,400 
Change in fair value of Sponsor Working Capital Loan    5,200 
Transfer to Level 2 of Private Placement Warrants  (31,238)   
Fair value as of September 30, 2022 $  $96,200 

The Warrants are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The Public Warrants were initially valued using a Modified Monte-Carlo Simulation. As of March 31,September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Public Warrants were valued using the instrument’s publicly listed trading price as of the balance sheet date, which is considered to be a Level 2 measurement due to minimal observable market activity and a Level 1 measurement due to the use of an observable market quote in an active market.market, respectively.

The Company utilizes a binomial Monte-Carlo simulation to estimate the fair value of the warrants at each reporting period for warrants that are not actively traded, which at March 31,September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 included the Private Placement Warrants. The estimated fair value of the derivative warrant liabilities is determined using Level 3 inputs. Inherent in a binomial Monte-Carlo simulation are assumptions related to expected stock-price volatility, expected life, risk-free interest rate and dividend yield. The Company estimates the volatility of its common stock based on historical volatility of select peer companies that matches the expected remaining life of the warrants. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury zero-coupon yield curve on the grant date for a maturity similar to the expected remaining life of the warrants. The expected life of the warrants is assumed to be equivalent to their remaining contractual term. The dividend rate is based on the historical rate, which the Company anticipates remaining at zero.

F-24

PONO CAPITAL CORP
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2022
(UNAUDITED) 

The following table provides quantitative information regarding Level 3 fair value measurements inputs of the Private Placement Warrants as of their measurement dates:

SCHEDULE OF FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT INPUTS AND VALUATION TECHNIQUES

  As of March 31, 2022  As of December 31, 2021 
Stock price $10.05  $9.97 
Strike price $11.50  $11.50 
Term (in years)  5.4   5.6 
Post-Merger Period Volatility  2.9%  9.5%
Risk-free rate  2.4%  1.3%
Dividend yield  %  %
Probability of completing a Business Combination  -*   90.0%
Fair value of warrants $0.24  $0.49 

*Probability of the Business Combination is implicit in the valuation
  

As of

December 31, 2021

Stock price $9.97 
Strike price $11.50 
Term (in years)  5.6 
Post-Merger Period Volatility  9.5%
Risk-free rate  1.3%
Dividend yield  %
Probability of completing a Business Combination  90.0%
Fair value of warrants $0.49 
     

 

The Sponsor Working Capital Loan was valued using a Black-Scholes method that is adjusted for the estimated probability of the Company completing a Business Combination, which is considered to be a Level 3 fair value measurement. The estimated fair value of each draw of the Sponsor Working Capital Loan was based on the following significant inputs:

  

As of

September 30, 2022

  

As of

September 12, 2022

(Initial Measurement)

  

As of

August 8, 2022

(Initial Measurement)

  

As of

July 16, 2022

(Initial Measurement)

  

As of

May 24, 2022

(Initial Measurement)

  

As of

April 1, 2022

(Initial Measurement)

 
Unit price $ 10.21  $10.12  $10.10  $10.10  $10.08  $10.38 
Conversion price $10.00  $10.00  $10.00  $10.00  $10.00  $10.00 
Expected term  0.1   0.2   0.3   0.3   0.4   0.5 
Unit volatility  13.2%  5.2%  1.4%  5.9%  5.5%  14.0%
Dividend yield  %  %  %  %  %  %
Risk free rate  2.9%  2.9%  2.7%  2.5%  1.2%  1.1%
Discount rate  8.9%  5.7%  6.3%  8.5%  9.8%  9.8%
Probability of completing initial Business Combination  20%  20%  16%  20.0%  20%  20%
Derivative liability measurement input  20%  20%  16%  20.0%  20%  20%
Fair value of Sponsor Working Capital Loan $96,200  $35,400  $13,600  $7,000  $13,000  $23,000 

The Company recognized gainsa gain (loss) in connection with changes in the fair value of warrant liabilities of $$(2,096,939270,488) and $3,431,576 in the condensed consolidated statements of operations during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively. The Company recognized a loss of $0 680,914within change in fair value of warrant liability in the condensed consolidated statements of operations during the three months ended March 31, 2022September 30, 2021 and for the period from February 12, 2021 (inception) through March 31, 2021,September 30, 2021. The Company recognized a loss on the change in fair value of Sponsor Working Capital Loan of $5,200 and $4,200 in the condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively. The aggregate amount by which the cash proceeds from the draws on the Sponsor Working Capital Loan was in excess of the fair value on the initial measurement dates of $239,000 and $378,000 is reflected as a contribution to additional paid-in capital during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022.

NOTE 9.10. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management has evaluated subsequent events and transactions that occurred after the condensed consolidated balance sheet date up to the date that the condensed consolidated financial statements were issued. Based upon this review, other than those subsequent events described below, the Company did not identify any other subsequent events that would have required adjustment or disclosure in the condensed consolidated financial statements.

On April 1,October 27, 2022, the Company drew $110,000215,000 from the Sponsor Working Capital Loan with the Sponsor.

As further described in Note 5, on November 9, 2022, the Company entered into Purchase Agreements and completed the private sale of an aggregate of 115,000 Placement Units at a purchase price of $10.00 per Placement Unit in a private placement and deposited $1,150,000 into the Company’s Trust account for its public stockholders, representing $0.10 per public share, allowing the Company to extend the period of time it has to consummate its initial business combination by three months from November 11, 2022 to February 13, 2023. The Purchase Agreements and related agreements are further described in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 10, 2022.

19F-25

 

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

References in this report (the “Quarterly Report”) to “we,” “us” or the “Company” refer to Pono Capital Corp. References to our “management” or our “management team” refer to our officers and directors, and references to the “Sponsor” refer to Mehana Equity LLC. The following discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto contained elsewhere in this Quarterly Report. Certain information contained in the discussion and analysis set forth below includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report includes “forward-looking statements” that are not historical facts and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected and projected. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included in this Quarterly Report including, without limitation, statements in this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” regarding the Company’s financial position, business strategy and the plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. Words such as “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “seek” and variations and similar words and expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance, but reflect management’s current beliefs, based on information currently available. A number of factors could cause actual events, performance or results to differ materially from the events, performance and results discussed in the forward-looking statements. For information identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, please refer to the Risk Factors section of the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The Company’s securities filings can be accessed on the EDGAR section of the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Except as expressly required by applicable securities law, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Overview

We are a blank check company incorporated in Delaware on February 12, 2021. We were formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses (the “Business Combination”). We are an emerging growth company and, as such, the Company is subject to all of the risks associated with emerging growth companies. We intend to effectuate our Business Combination using cash from the proceeds of the Initial Public Offering and the sale of the Private Warrants, our capital stock, debt or a combination of cash, stock and debt.

We expect to continue to incur significant costs in the pursuit of our acquisition plans. We cannot assure you that our plans to raise capital or to complete our initial Business Combination will be successful.

On March 17, 2022, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger“Old Merger Agreement”), by and among Pono, Pono Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Pono (“Merger Sub”), Benuvia, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Benuvia”), Mehana Equity, LLC, in its capacity as Purchaser Representative, and Shannon Soqui, in his capacity as Seller Representative.

Pursuant to the Old Merger Agreement, at the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Old Merger Agreement, Merger Sub was to merge with and into Benuvia, with Benuvia continuing as the surviving corporation.

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The Business Combination Agreement and related agreements are further described in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 18, 2022.

Termination of Merger Agreement

On August 8, 2022, the Company and Benuvia mutually terminated the Merger Agreement pursuant to Section 8.1(a) of the Merger Agreement, effective immediately. Neither party was required to pay the other a termination fee as a result of the mutual decision to terminate the Merger Agreement.

New Proposed Business Combination

On September 7, 2022, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among Pono, Pono Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Pono (“Merger Sub”), AERWINS Technologies Inc., a Delaware corporation (“AERWINS”), Mehana Equity, LLC, in its capacity as Purchaser Representative, and Shuhei Komatsu, in his capacity as Seller Representative.

 

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (the “Closing”), Merger Sub will merge with and into Benuvia,AERWINS, with BenuviaAERWINS continuing as the surviving corporation (the “Surviving Corporation”).

 

26

As consideration for the Merger, the holders of BenuviaAERWINS securities collectively shall be entitled to receive from us,the Company, in the aggregate, a number of ourthe Company’s securities with an aggregate value equal to (the “Merger Consideration”) (a) FourSix Hundred Million U.S. Dollars ($400,000,000)600,000,000), minus (b) the amount by which the aggregate amount of any outstanding indebtedness (minus cash held by Benuvia)AERWINS) of BenuviaAERWINS at Closing (the “Closing Net Indebtedness”) exceeds Forty Million Dollars ($40,000,000), and minus (c) the valueamount by which AERWINS’ Net Working Capital is less than $3 million, plus (d) the amount by which AERWINS’ Net Working Capital exceeds $3 million, minus (e) specified transaction expenses of AERWNS associated with the options of Benuvia held by employees and consultants that are vested at the Closing that are assumed by us (“Vested Options”),Merger, with each BenuviaAERWINS stockholder receiving, for each share of BenuviaAERWINS common stock held, a number of shares of ourthe Company common stock equal to (i) the Per Share Price,Consideration, divided by (ii) $10.00 (the total portion$10.00. Each outstanding option or warrant to purchase AERWINS common stock shall be converted into the right to receive an option or warrant to purchase a number of shares of the MergerCompany common stock equal to (x) the Per Share Consideration amount payable to all Benuvia Stockholders in accordance with the Merger Agreement is also referred to herein as the “Stockholder Merger Consideration”).divided by (y) $10.00.

20

 

The Merger Consideration otherwise payable to BenuviaAERWINS stockholders is subject to the withholding of two escrows: (i) a number of shares of ourthe Company common stock equal to fivethree percent (5.0%(3.0%) of the Merger Consideration to be placed in escrow for post-closing adjustments (if any) to the Merger Consideration and (ii) a number of shares mutually agreeable between Benuvia and us not to exceed twenty percent (20.0%) of the Merger Consideration (the “Price Protection Escrow Amount”) to be held for downside protection for non-redeeming stockholders following Closing.Consideration.

 

The Merger Consideration is subject to adjustment after the Closing based on confirmed amounts of the Closing Net Indebtedness, of BenuviaNet Working Capital and transaction expenses as of the Closing Date. If the adjustment is a negative adjustment in favor of us,the Company, the escrow agent shall distribute to usthe Company a number of shares of ourthe Company common stock with a value equal to the absolute value of the adjustment amount. If the adjustment is a positive adjustment in favor of Benuvia, weAERWINS, the Company will issue to the BenuviaAERWINS stockholders an additional number of shares of ourthe Company common stock with a value equal to the adjustment amount.

 

The Business Combination Agreement and related agreements are further described in ourthe Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 18,September 7, 2022.

 

Results of Operations

We have neither engaged in any operations nor generated any operating revenues to date. Our only activities for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2022 and for the period from February 12, 2021 (inception) through March 31,September 30, 2021 were organizational activities, those necessary to prepare for the Initial Public Offering (“Initial Public Offering”) and identifying a target company for a business combination. The Company will not generate any operating revenues until after the completion of its initial Business Combination, at the earliest. The Company generates non-operating income in the form of interest income on cash and cash equivalents from the proceeds derived from the Initial Public Offering. We incur expenses as a result of being a public company (for legal, financial reporting, accounting and auditing compliance), as well as for due diligence expenses.

For the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2022, we recorded a net loss of $522,132, which resulted from formation and operating costs of $616,773, franchise tax expense of $50,000, a loss due to a change in fair value of warrant liability of $270,488, income tax expense of $109,621 and a loss on fair value of Sponsor Working Capital Loan of $5,200, offset in part by interest and dividend income on investments held in the Trust Account in the amount of $529,950.

For the three months ended September 30, 2021, we had a net loss of $1,299,503, which consisted of a change in Fair Value of warrant liability $680,914, formation and operating costs of $113,640 and offering costs allocated to warrants of $505,696, partially offset by interest income on marketable securities held in the Trust Account of $747.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, we recorded net income of $1,650,541,$2,488,938, which resulted from a gain on fair value of warrant liability of $2,096,939$3,431,576, and interest and dividend income on investments held in the Trust Account in the amount of $11,754,$699,327 , partially offset by operatingformation and formationoperating costs of $408,152 and$1,375,230, franchise tax expensesexpense of $50,000.$150,000, income tax expense of $112,535 and a loss on fair value of the Sponsor Working Capital Loan of $4,200.

27

For the period from February 12, 2021 (inception) through March 31,September 30, 2021, we had a net loss of $229,$1,299,727, which resulted fully fromconsisted of a loss due to a change in Fair Value of warrant liability $680,914, formation costs.and operating costs of $113,869 and offering costs allocated to warrants of $505,696 partially offset by bank incentive of $5, and interest income on marketable securities held in the Trust Account of $747.

Going Concern, Liquidity and Capital Resources

For the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2022, net cash used in operating activities was $308,457,$689,412, which was due to the change in fair value of the warrant liability of $2,096,939$3,431,576, change in fair value of the Sponsor Working Capital Loan of $4,200 and interest and dividend income on the investments held in the Trust Account of $11,754,$699,327, partially offset by net income of $1,650,541$2,488,938 and changes in working capital of $149,695.$948,353.

For the period from February 12, 2021 (inception) through March 31,September 30, 2021 net cash used in operating activities was $0,$399,762, which was due to ourthe net loss of $229,$1,299,727, changes in working capital of $286,127 and interest earned on marketable securities held in Trust Account of $747 partially offset by the formation costs paid by a stockholder in the form of a capital contribution of $229.$229, offering costs allocated to warrants of $505,696, and change in fair value of warrant liability of $680,914.

Net cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, was $1,150,000 due to investment of cash into the Trust Account.

 

Net cash used in investing activities for the period from February 12, 2021 (inception) through September 30, 2021, was $116,725,000 due to investment of cash into the Trust Account.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, net cash provided by financing activities was $1,620,000 due to $470,000 received from the issuance of a Sponsor Working Capital Loan and $1,150,000 in proceeds from the sale of private placement units.

For the period from February 12, 2021 (inception) through March 31,September 30, 2021, net cash provided by financing activities was $25,000$117,521,607 due to proceeds received from the issuance of Class B common stock to the Sponsor.Sponsor of $25,000, proceeds from sale of Units, net of underwriting discount paid of $113,050,000, proceeds from sale of private placement units of $5,216,750, partially offset by payment of offering costs of $770,143.

The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents are carried at cost, which approximates fair value. The Company had $29,138$118,183 and $337,595 in cash and no cash equivalents as of March 31,September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.

At March 31,September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, substantially all of the assets held in the Trust Account were held in mutual funds.

21

 

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with GAAP, which contemplates continuation of the Company as a going concern and the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The Company has incurred and expect to continue to incur significant costs in pursuit of the Company’s financing and acquisition plans. Management plans to address this uncertainty with the successful closing of thea Business Combination. The Company will have until August 13, 2022 (or up to February 13, 2023 as applicable) to consummate a Business Combination. If a Business Combination is not consummated by February 13, 2023, less than one year after the date these condensed consolidated financial statements are issued, there will be a mandatory liquidation and subsequent dissolution of the Company. Management has determined that the mandatory liquidation, should a Business Combination not occur, and potential subsequent dissolution, raisesas well as the Company’s working capital deficit, raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. No adjustments have been made to the carrying amounts of assets or liabilities should the Company be required to liquidate after February 13, 2023. The Company intends to complete the proposed Business Combination before the mandatory liquidation date. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to consummate any Business Combination by February 13, 2023. Based upon the above analysis, management determined that these conditionsliquidity concerns and the mandatory liquidation raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within less than one year after the date the condensed consolidated financial statements are issued. The condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

28

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have no obligations, assets or liabilities, which would be considered off-balance sheet arrangements as of March 31,September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021. We do not participate in transactions that create relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, often referred to as variable interest entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements. We have not entered into any off-balance sheet financing arrangements, established any special purpose entities, guaranteed any debt or commitments of other entities, or purchased any non-financial assets.

Contractual Obligations

Promissory Note - Related Party

 

On March 22, 2021, the Company issued an unsecured promissory note to an affiliate of the Sponsor (the “Promissory Note”), pursuant to which the Company could borrow up to an aggregate of $300,000 to cover expenses related to the IPO. The Promissory Note was non-interest bearing and was payable on the earlier of (i) July 31, 2021 or (ii) the consummation of the IPO. On August 6,17, 2021, the Company repaid the outstanding balance under the Promissory Note.

Related PartySponsor Working Capital Loans

 

In order to finance transaction costs in connection with a Business Combination, our Sponsor may provide us with a loan of up to $1,500,000 as may be required (“Sponsor Working Capital Loans”). Such Sponsor Working Capital Loans would either be repaid upon the consummation of a Business Combination, without interest, or, at the lender’s discretion, up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be converted upon consummation of a Business Combination into additional Placement Units at a price of $10.00 per Unit. In the event that a Business Combination does not close, we may use a portion of proceeds held outside the Trust Account to repay the Sponsor Working Capital Loans, but no proceeds held in the Trust Account would be used to repay the Sponsor Working Capital Loans. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, there were no amounts outstanding under any Sponsor Working Capital Loans. On April 1, 2022, we drew $110,000 from the Sponsor Working Capital Loan with our Sponsor. On May 24, 2022, we drew down another $65,000 on the same Sponsor Working Capital Loan. On July 16th 2022, there was an additional draw for $35,000. On August 8, 2022 the Company drew down another $85,000. On September 12, 2022 there was another draw for $175,000. On October 27, 2022, the Company drew $215,000 from the Sponsor Working Capital Loan with the Sponsor. As of September 30, 2022, there was $470,000 outstanding under the Sponsor Working Capital Loan.

Underwriting Agreement

We do not have any long-term debt, capital lease obligations, operating lease obligations or long-term liabilities. The underwriter is entitled to a deferred fee of three percent (3.00%) of the gross proceeds of the Offering upon closing of the Business Combination, or $3,450,000. The deferred fee will be paid in cash upon the closing of a Business Combination from the amounts held in the Trust Account, subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement.

On August 13, 2021, the underwriter has given the Company a rebatementan abatement of $350,000. The total cash underwriting fee is $1,950,000 and the deferred underwriting fee is $3,450,000. The deferred fee will be forfeited by the underwriters solely in the event that we fail to complete a Business Combination, subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement.

2229

 

Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements, and income and expenses during the periods reported. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates. We have identified the following critical accounting policies:

Warrant Liabilities

 

We account for the Warrants in accordance with the guidance contained in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 815-40 - Derivatives and Hedging - Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity under which the Warrants do not meet the criteria for equity treatment and must be recorded as liabilities. Accordingly, we classify the Warrants as liabilities at their fair value and adjust the Warrants to fair value at each reporting period. This liability is subject to re-measurement at each balance sheet date until exercised, and any change in fair value is recognized in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. The Private Placement Warrants and the Public Warrants for periods where no observable traded price was available are valued using a Monte Carlo simulation. For periods subsequent to the detachment of the Public Warrants from the Units, the Public Warrant quoted market price was used as the fair value as of each relevant date.

Class A Common Stock Subject to Possible Redemption

 

We account for our common stock subject to possible conversion in accordance with the guidance in ASC Topic 480 - Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity. Shares of Class A Common Stock subject to mandatory redemption are classified as a liability instrument and measured at fair value. Conditionally redeemable common stock (including common stock that features redemption rights that are either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within our control) are classified as temporary equity. At all other times, common stock is classified as stockholders’ equity. Our common stock features certain redemption rights that are considered to be outside of our control and subject to occurrence of uncertain future events. Accordingly, shares of Class A Common Stock subject to possible redemption are presented at redemption value as temporary equity, outside of the stockholders’ equity section of our condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Net Income (Loss) per Common Share

 

Net income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period. The Company applies the two-class method in calculating earnings per share. Remeasurement associated with the redeemable shares of Class A common stock is excluded from earnings per share as the redemption value approximates fair value.

Recent Accounting Standards

 

In August 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2020-06, Debt — Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging — Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40) (“ASU 2020-06”) to simplify accounting for certain financial instruments. ASU 2020-06 eliminates the current models that require separation of beneficial conversion and cash conversion features from convertible instruments and simplifies the derivative scope exception guidance pertaining to equity classification of contracts in an entity’s own equity. The new standard also introduces additional disclosures for convertible debt and freestanding instruments that are indexed to and settled in an entity’s own equity. ASU 2020-06 amends the diluted earnings per share guidance, including the requirement to use the if-converted method for all convertible instruments. ASU 2020-06 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023 and should be applied on a full or modified retrospective basis, with early adoption permitted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. WeThe Company adopted ASU 2020-06 effective January 1, 2022 using the modified retrospective method of transition. The adoption of ASU 2020-06 did not have a material impact on the financial statements as of January 1, 2022 or for the threenine months ended March 31, 2022 and for the period from February 12, 2021 (inception) through March 31, 2021.September 30, 2022.

 

30

Our management does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

Not required forWe are a smaller reporting companies.company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and are not required to provide the information otherwise required under this item.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

23

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial and accounting officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the fiscal yearperiod ended December 31, 2021,September 30, 2022, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial and accounting officer have concluded that during the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) were effective at the reasonable assurance level.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31,September 30, 2022 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

None.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in this Quarterly Report are any of the risks described in our final prospectus for the Initial Public Offering declared effective by the SEC on August 10, 2021.2021. Any of these factors could result in a significant or material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition. Additional risk factors not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business or results of operations. As of the date of this Quarterly Report, other than as described below, there have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in our final prospectus of ourfor the Initial Public Offering filed withdeclared effective by the SEC.SEC.

31

The risk factor disclosure in our final prospectus as set forth under the heading “If we pursue a target company with operations or opportunities outside of the United States for our initial business combination, we may face additional burdens in connection with investigating, agreeing to and completing such initial business combination, and if we effect such initial business combination, we would be subject to a variety of additional risks that may negatively impact our operations” is replaced in its entirety with the following risk factor:

If we pursue a target company with operations or opportunities outside of the United States for our initial business combination, we may face additional burdens in connection with investigating, agreeing to and completing such initial business combination, and if we effect such initial business combination, we would be subject to a variety of additional risks that may negatively impact our operations.

If we pursue a target company with operations or opportunities outside of the United States for our initial business combination, we would be subject to risks associated with cross-border business combinations, including in connection with investigating, agreeing to and completing our initial business combination, conducting due diligence in a foreign jurisdiction, having such transaction approved by any local governments, regulators or agencies and changes in the purchase price based on fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. If we effect our initial business combination with such a company, we would be subject to any special considerations or risks associated with companies operating in an international setting, including any of the following:

● costs and difficulties inherent in managing cross-border business operations and complying with different commercial and legal requirements of overseas markets;

● rules and regulations regarding currency redemption;

● complex corporate withholding taxes on individuals;

● laws governing the manner in which future business combinations may be effected;

● exchange listing and/or delisting requirements;

● tariffs and trade barriers;

● regulations related to customs and import/export matters;

● local or regional economic policies and market conditions;

● unexpected changes in regulatory requirements;

● longer payment cycles;

● tax issues, such as tax law changes and variations in tax laws as compared to the United States;

● currency fluctuations and exchange controls;

● rates of inflation;

● challenges in collecting accounts receivable;

● cultural and language differences;

● employment regulations;

● underdeveloped or unpredictable legal or regulatory systems;

● corruption;

32

● protection of intellectual property;

24

● social unrest, crime, strikes, riots and civil disturbances;

● regime changes and political upheaval;

● terrorist attacks, natural disasters and wars;

● deterioration of political relations with the United States; and

● government appropriation of assets.

Additionally, as a result of the military action commenced in February 2022 by the Russian Federation and Belarus in the country of Ukraine and related economic sanctions, the Company’s ability to consummate a Business Combination, or the operations of a target business with which the Company ultimately consummates a Business Combination, may be materially and adversely affected. Further, the Company’s ability to consummate a transaction may be dependent on the ability to raise equity and debt financing which may be impacted by these events, including as a result of increased market volatility, or decreased market liquidity in third-party financing being unavailable on terms acceptable to the Company or at all. The impact of this action and related sanctions on the world economy and the specific impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and/or ability to consummate a Business Combination are not yet determinable.

We may not be able to adequately address these additional risks. If we were unable to do so, we may be unable to complete such initial business combination, or, if we complete such combination, our operations might suffer, either of which may adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Further, the risk factor disclosure in our final prospectus as set forth under the heading “Changes in laws or regulations, or a failure to comply with any laws and regulations, may adversely affect our business, including our ability to negotiate and complete our initial business combination and results of operations” is replaced in its entirety with the following risk factor:

Changes in laws or regulations, or a failure to comply with any laws and regulations, may adversely affect our business, including our ability to negotiate and complete our initial business combination and results of operations.

We are subject to laws and regulations enacted by national, regional and local governments. We will be required to comply with certain SEC and other legal requirements. Compliance with, and monitoring of, applicable laws and regulations may be difficult, time consuming and costly. Those laws and regulations and their interpretation and application may also change from time to time and those changes could have a material adverse effect on our business, investments and results of operations. In addition, a failure to comply with applicable laws or regulations, as interpreted and applied, could have a material adverse effect on our business, including our ability to negotiate and complete our initial business combination and results of operations.

On March 30, 2022, the SEC issued proposed rules relating to, among other items, disclosures in business combination transactions involving SPACs and private operating companies; the financial statement requirements applicable to transactions involving shell companies; the use of projections in SEC filings in connection with proposed business combination transactions; the potential liability of certain participants in proposed business combination transactions; and the extent to which special purpose acquisition companies (“SPACs”) could become subject to regulation under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, including a proposed rule that would provide SPACs a safe harbor from treatment as an investment company if they satisfy certain conditions that limit a SPAC’s duration, asset composition, business purpose and activities. These rules, if adopted, whether in the form proposed or in a revised form, may increase the costs of and the time needed to negotiate and complete an initial business combination, and may constrain the circumstances under which we could complete an initial business combination.

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ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

On August 13, 2021, simultaneously with the consummation of the Offering, the Company completed a private placement of an aggregate of 469,175521,675 units (the “Placement Units”) at a price of $10.00 per Private Placement Unit, generating total gross proceeds of $4,691,750$5,216,750 (the “Private Placement”). The issuance of the Private Placement Units was made pursuant to the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

On August 10, 2022, the Company received $1,150,000 in funding from Mehana Capital LLC (“Mehana Capital”), an affiliate of the Sponsor to extend the Combination Period for an additional three months, as described in Note 1. Mehana Capital purchased an aggregate of 115,000 placement units of the Company, each unit consists of one share of Class A common stock, $0.000001 par value per share, and three-quarters of one warrant, each whole Placement Warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one share of Class A Common Stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share (the “Placement Units”), creating proceeds to the Company of $1,150,000 which was deposited into the trust account.

 

For a description of the use of the proceeds generated in the Initial Public Offering, see Part I, Item 2 of this Quarterly Report.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

The following exhibits are filed as part of, or incorporated by reference into, this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Exhibit No. Description
31.1* Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15(d)-14(a), as adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2* Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15(d)-14(a), as adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1** Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2** Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS* Inline XBRL Instance Document
101.CAL* Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.SCH* Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.DEF* Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB* Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document
101.PRE* Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
104* Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).

*Filed herewith.
**Furnished.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 Pono Capital Corp
   
Date: May 12,November 14, 2022By:/s/ Dustin Shindo
  Dustin Shindo
  Chief Executive Officer

 Pono Capital Corp
   
Date: May 12,November 14, 2022By:/s/ Trisha Nomura
  Trisha Nomura
  Chief Financial Officer

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