TELL YOUR BUSINESS MOʻOLELO
WAIʻANAE, OʻAHU, HAWAIʻI

Yes! As long as you have an idea for a business, you can join the cohort. We provide technical assistance to get your business started!

The program fee for the cohort is $99.

Indigenous peoples are typically recognized as the original inhabitants of a region. They often maintain a close connection to their land, traditions, and community structures, reflecting their deep-rooted heritage and knowledge systems that have been passed down over generations. In Hawaii, indigenous people would be Native Hawaiianʻs.

For the purposes of this program, we define ‘Indigenous entrepreneurs’ as individuals from Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities. These groups possess rich ancestral ties, cultural practices, and traditional knowledge that have been passed down through generations and are integral to their identity and values. By supporting entrepreneurs from these communities, we acknowledge and respect the distinct Indigenous heritage each brings, whether through their relationship with land, community, or cultural preservation, and aim to empower them in creating businesses that reflect and uphold these cultural foundations.

For the purpose of this program, we defined a cultural practitioner in business as someone who applies their cultural knowledge, values, and practices within a business context to either preserve traditional ways or adapt them for modern, innovative uses. These practitioners actively contribute to the continuity and evolution of their culture, whether through established or contemporary business models.

Traditional Cultural Practitioners in Business: Traditional cultural practitioners in business maintain long-standing practices and often follow methods passed down through generations. Their businesses are deeply rooted in the values and techniques unique to their culture, focusing on the preservation and sharing of authentic knowledge. For example:

• A kapa maker who creates traditional bark cloth for ceremonial use

• A Kumu Hula who teaches hula, preserving dance and chant in the way it has been traditionally practiced.

• A Loʻi Kalo farmer who grows taro using ancient Hawaiian agricultural techniques.

These practitioners maintain a cultural legacy, often working with specific materials, tools, and rituals that are integral to their identity and are recognized by their community.

Non-Traditional Cultural Practitioners in Business: Non-traditional cultural practitioners blend traditional knowledge with modern innovations, often expanding into new mediums, markets, or business models that make cultural knowledge accessible to a wider, sometimes global audience. They adapt their cultural expertise to meet contemporary needs while preserving cultural values. Examples include:

• A digital content creator who teaches Hawaiian language or hula through online courses or social media, making Hawaiian culture accessible worldwide.

• A restaurant or chef who uses local, native ingredients and Hawaiian culinary techniques in modern dishes, bridging traditional and contemporary cuisine.

• An app developer who creates mobile tools for learning Hawaiian language or exploring cultural stories.

These non-traditional practitioners bring cultural knowledge into modern settings, helping it thrive in today’s marketplace without losing its integrity.

Both types of practitioners play vital roles in sustaining and adapting cultural traditions, making them relevant and engaging in today’s world. Their work ensures that cultural heritage can be preserved, adapted, and appreciated across generations and geographies.

The workshops are held in-person at a location to be determined in Waiʻanae.

Technical Assistance appointments can be scheduled virtually or in-person at our office located in Waiʻanae.

The registration for Hoʻokele Digital Cohort 2 closed on April 15, 2025 at 11:59 pm.

We do not have a date set just yet, but will announce the next cohort dates on our website