<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0206</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2023-02-09</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001930021</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>Pono Capital Three, Inc.</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>PTHR</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001321269</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Shindo Dustin M</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>643 ILALO ST. #102</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HONOLULU</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>HI</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>96813</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class B Ordinary Shares</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class A Ordinary Shares</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>4935622</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Class B Ordinary Shares have no expiration date and will automatically convert into Class A Ordinary Shares at the time of the issuer's initial business combination on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment as set forth in the issuer's registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-268283).</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Includes up to 643,777 shares subject to forfeiture depending on the extent to which the underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised, if at all.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">The securities are held directly by Mehana Capital LLC, the sponsor of the issuer (the &quot;Sponsor&quot;). The reporting person may be deemed to beneficially own shares held by the Sponsor by virtue of his control over the Sponsor. The reporting person disclaims beneficial ownership of the issuer's Class B Ordinary Shares held by the Sponsor, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Dustin Shindo, by Nelson Mullins Riley &amp; Scarborough LLP with Power of Attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2023-02-09</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
