ʻĀinapreneur Network Launch
Changemakers Hawaiʻi Launches ʻĀinapreneur Network To Support Hawaiʻi Entrpreneurs Rooted In Place, Purpose, And Shared Prosperity
**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
Hilo, HI, June 4, 2026 — What if business growth in Hawaiʻi didn’t require choosing between profit and purpose?
Changemakers Hawaiʻi is launching the ʻĀinapreneur Small Business Network, a new community-rooted initiative designed to help Hawaiʻi entrepreneurs grow businesses that are connected to place, guided by values, and built for shared prosperity.
The network brings together small business owners, aspiring founders, creatives, makers, workforce participants, mentors, funders, and community partners to strengthen Hawaiʻi’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Members will gain access to peer connection, mentorship, business education, capital-readiness support, resource sharing, visibility opportunities, and collaborative partnerships.
“For too long, our local founders have had to choose between growing their business and staying true to their cultural values. With the launch of the ʻĀinapreneur Network, we’re proving you can do both,” said Olani Lilly, Founder of Changemakers Hawaii, CEO of CoMission. “This isn't just a traditional business network; it’s a collective of leaders who are as committed to the health of our ʻāina as they are to their bottom line.”
Grounded in the “4 Ps” — Place, People, Purpose, and Prosperity — the ʻĀinapreneur Network is built to help entrepreneurs move ideas into action while keeping capital, relationships, and opportunity circulating within Hawaiʻi.
“We believe capital should be a relationship, not just a transaction,” Lilly said. “Our goal is to see every dollar recirculate back into our islands, strengthening families and building a regenerative economy that honors our home.”
Changemakers Hawaiʻi will host a virtual soft launch gathering on Thursday, June 25 at 5 p.m. via Zoom for entrepreneurs and partners interested in becoming founding members and helping shape the network’s future priorities, events, partnerships, and resources. For details visit changemakershawaii.org/ainapreneurnetwork
About ʻĀinapreneurs
ʻĀinapreneur is a community-rooted entrepreneurship initiative supporting Hawaiʻi’s small businesses, aspiring entrepreneurs, creatives, workforce participants, and changemakers through learning, mentorship, collaboration, visibility, and shared growth.
The next ʻĀinapreneur Small Business Development cohort begins August 2026.
About ChangeMakers Hawaiʻi
Changemakers Hawaiʻi is an Emerging Native Community Development Financial Institution and Native Hawaiian-led nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing community-driven economic development across Hawaiʻi. The organization strengthens the capacity and sustainability of Native Hawaiian and Indigenous-led organizations through leadership development, nonprofit capacity building, and culturally grounded economic strategies.
Media Contact:
Jennifer Boyette
Communications & Marketing Director Changemakers Hawaiʻi
jenny@changemakershawaii.org
808-769-0730
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