Across our islands, conversations around economic development are shifting. While traditional indicators like GDP and tourism revenue remain visible, they fail to capture the deeper, community-rooted forms of wealth that define long-term wellbeing in Hawaiʻi.

As we come to the close of 2025, I find myself reflecting with deep gratitude and pride. This year has been one of steady building, thoughtful growth, and renewed commitment to the communities we serve. It has not been about rushing forward, but…

When I was a child, we didn’t have to go far for a snack. On long afternoons riding bikes with friends, we’d stop along the way to pick mango, lychee, or guava straight from our neighbors’ yards. We always asked first, of course, and more often than not, the answer came with a smile and a story. Nobody minded. That was just how things were. Food was shared, not sold. The ʻāina was generous, and so were the people.

There was a time when Hawaiʻi didn’t just grow its own food; it made its own everything. From canning pineapple and brewing Primo beer to bottling local sodas and distributing them island-wide, Hawaiʻi’s agricultural and manufacturing economy was vibrant, self-sustaining, and proudly local.

On a quiet stretch of road in Puna, a wooden little booth serves as more than just a food stand; it’s a symbol of community care. These unmanned stands, now popping up across neighborhoods, hold home-baked breads, candies, fresh produce, and lovingly prepared meals. There’s no cash register, just a deep sense of trust.

As the year winds down and the world begins to slow, many organizations take this time to rest and reflect. At ChangeMakers, we are reflecting too, but our reflection fuels renewal. This season, instead of powering down, we are gearing up. We are preparing to…

When people hear “entrepreneur,” they often picture tech startups, pitch decks, and high-speed scaling. But for many of us navigating the world as Native social entrepreneurs, the work looks, and feels very different.

When I first started thinking about business, I didn’t imagine a sleek office or a viral product. I imagined people. I imagined our community. I imagined making something that mattered—not just something that made money.