ʻĀinapreneurs don’t just start businesses—they steward legacies.

At ChangeMakers Hawaiʻi, our ʻĀinapreneurs Program is more than just business training — it's a movement rooted in aloha ʻāina, cultural integrity, and lasting impact. ʻĀinapreneur businesses operate with a deep commitment to people, place, and purpose — they prioritize community well-being, sustainability, and meaningful impact while fostering economic resilience in Hawaiʻi.

  People  

Supporting Growth and Connection

  • ʻĀinapreneur businesses value their employees as their greatest asset. They create an inclusive, supportive work environment that encourages continuous learning and holistic well-being.

  • Customers are treated like family. These businesses actively listen, engage, and go beyond expectations to build lasting relationships based on trust.

  • Vendors and supply chain partners are seen as key collaborators. Success is shared, and decision-making includes the voices of all involved.

   Place   

Rooted in Community & Sustainability

  • ʻĀinapreneurs are dedicated to their communities, extending their impact beyond business to environmental and social responsibility.

  • They act as stewards of the land, ensuring their operations contribute to sustainability both in Hawaiʻi and beyond.

  • Language matters—ʻĀinapreneurs embrace ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi as a way to honor and preserve the cultural foundation of their businesses.

 Purpose

Creating a Lasting Legacy

  • Driven by a mission beyond profit, ʻĀinapreneurs provide exceptional products and services that enrich their customers, employees, and environment.

  • Innovation and integrity are at the core of their work, ensuring long-term impact and excellence.

  • Every ʻĀinapreneur business strives to leave a legacy that strengthens the fabric of Hawaiʻi’s economy and culture.

Learn About
ʻĀinaprenuer Rural
Small Business
Development
Program

ChangeMakers Hawaiʻi ʻĀinapreneur program is a 12-week immersive journey that supports emerging and established Native Hawaiian entrepreneurs in cultivating thriving, values-driven businesses that uplift our communities and land. The course is delivered through weekly online course work.

  • Building a Solid Business Foundation – Learn to craft a values-based business plan, implement sustainable fiscal processes, and design workflows that reflect the unique rhythm of your business and community.

  • Strengthening Soft Skills for Leadership – Enhance communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving through culturally grounded approaches that honor both individual and collective growth.

  • Culturally-Rooted Mentorship – Our program goes beyond coursework. Participants become part of a growing ʻohana of entrepreneurs, gaining long-term access to coaching, financial support, networking opportunities, and executive-level training.

  • Integrating ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi in Business – Through our innovative Hawaiian Language in Business track, participants receive tools and training to thoughtfully incorporate ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi into their brand, workplace, and customer experience—amplifying authenticity, deepening connection, and helping normalize our native language in everyday commerce.

Enroll  today!

ChangeMakers will partner with you to secure funding, assisting with loan packages, capital campaigns, and building your fundraising capacity.

Want to grow your business,   

      but lack funding? 

We provide low-interest microloans to businesses to assist with growth.

These microloans range between $500 and $5,000.

Find out how ChangeMakers Hawaiʻi’s Native CDFI can help you!

           Hawaiian Language,

               Alive in Business.

ʻĀinapreneur ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi is a groundbreaking initiative that brings ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi into Hawaiʻi’s small business sector — revitalizing our Native language not just in classrooms, but in everyday places like your favorite shops, cafes, and local businesses.

The goal? To help ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi thrive in the real world — in conversations between staff and customers, on signs and menus, and throughout the business experience.

We focus on supporting small businesses in the agriculture and technology sectors with:

  • Workforce training in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi

  • Custom Hawaiian language materials for everyday business use

  • Interactive tools to engage both employees and customers

  • Research on the return on investment (ROI) of using ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi in business

Together, we’re building a future where Hawaiian is heard and spoken in all spaces — from fields to storefronts.