Building More Than Businesses: A Community That Gives Back

"Kūkolu didn't just help me build my business—it also gave me the confidence to believe owning a home was possible."

- Emily States, founder of Kaulumaika

When Emily States and Litea Maiava met through Kūkolu's Indigenous Women's Incubator, they had no idea they were beginning a friendship that would shape both of their journeys. United by shared values and a commitment to strengthening Native Hawaiian communities, their relationship quickly grew into one rooted in trust and mutual support.

As Emily's art business gained momentum through opportunities like Kūkolu's holiday pop-up markets, she built the financial foundation to pursue a longtime dream of homeownership. When the time came, she turned to Litea, a fellow cohort member and newly licensed Realtor®, for guidance. Together, they navigated the homebuying process, leading to Emily and her ʻohana purchasing their first home.

For Litea, the experience strengthened her mission to help Native Hawaiian families build generational wealth through homeownership. For Emily, it provided the confidence and support to take a step that once felt out of reach.

Their story reflects the ripple effect Kūkolu strives to create. By bringing Indigenous women entrepreneurs together, the organization cultivates relationships that continue long after the program ends. Participants become collaborators, mentors, clients, and lifelong champions of one another, creating opportunities that strengthen individual businesses, families, and communities.