Founder’s Feed: Laulima

 Founder’s Feed: Laulima at Work

    Why Workforce Development Requires All of Us   

In Hawaiian, laulima means "many hands working together." It's a value that reminds us that no effort is done alone, and that the strength of a community is in its collective will. This principle has guided our work from the outset, and it continues to shape how we think about workforce development today.

Too often, workforce efforts are siloed; training programs are separate from employer needs, educational systems are disconnected from cultural identity, and economic opportunities do not always reach our most underserved communities. But when we apply laulima, we shift the paradigm. We begin to see that workforce development is not just a job for schools, businesses, or government; it’s a responsibility we all share.

I reflect on my own journey and the hands that shaped me: mentors, family, educators, elders, and peers who saw something in me and invested in my growth. That network of care and commitment is what laulima looks like in action. It’s not just about creating jobs; it’s about building pathways that are culturally rooted, locally relevant, and collectively supported.

Real change happens when community organizations, funders, policymakers, and grassroots leaders come together with a shared vision. When we listen first, design with—not for—our communities, and commit to long-term investment, we create workforce systems that not only uplift individuals but strengthen the well-being of our entire community.

Laulima is more than a value; it’s a strategy. And in these times of transition and challenge, it’s the strategy we need. Let’s keep showing up for each other. Let’s keep putting our hands together.

Laulima at work means no one gets left behind.