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.

Since announcing the next chapter for ChangeMakers, the outpouring of aloha and encouragement has been incredible. Every message, handshake, and conversation reminds me how deeply people believe in our mission to build equitable economic opportunity rooted in aloha ʻāina, cultural integrity, and…

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…

Across the country, something powerful is happening: funders are no longer acting alone. They’re joining forces—sharing not just money, but vision, purpose, and accountability—to transform how…

What if the way forward for Hawaiʻi wasn’t just about jobs—but about pilina (deep connection), kuleana (responsibility), and a shared future shaped by the community, for the community?

This transition is about more than leadership — it’s about honoring the journey that has brought us here and setting a bold course for where we are headed.

Olani Lilly’s journey begins not in a boardroom but out in the community. She envisioned a model of philanthropy rooted in cultural values and…

Philanthropy is more than gifts or grants; it’s an opportunity to partner with ʻāina (land), people, and place.

Indigenous Hawaiian economies aren’t relics of the past; they represent powerful pathways toward social, cultural, and ecological resilience rooted in aloha ʻāina, ʻohana, and interdependence.

Cross-sector collaborations (CSCs) are one of the most promising tools communities have to address complex, systemic problems—whether in public safety, education, housing, or infrastructure. But as many of us know from experience…

The recent wave of federal budget cuts, initiated under the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative, is sending ripples across the nation. For Hawaiʻi, those ripples are more like shockwaves.

Across Native Hawaiian, Native American, and Alaska Native communities, powerful work is being done every day to protect land, revitalize language, heal communities, and shape futures grounded in…

In the ever-changing world of nonprofit funding, staying ahead requires adaptability, persistence, and strategic planning. At a recent event hosted by…

Changemakers Hawaiʻi has announced an exciting partnership with CoMission LLC, a collaboration aimed at enhancing community-driven initiatives and values-based business development across the islands. This partnership brings…

Bringing together a passionate group of local entrepreneurs dedicated to building values-driven businesses.

Indigenous communities across the U.S., including Native Hawaiian populations, face unique challenges in...

Indigenous communities across the U.S., including Native Hawaiian populations, face unique challenges in...

This past August, ChangeMakers Hawaiʻi had the incredible honor of attending the...