IWI: Indigenous Women’s Incubator

Cultivating Economic Abundance for Indigenous Female Entrepreneurs

Our Indigenous Women’s Incubator (IWI) is designed to empower our entrepreneurs to build and promote sustainable growth of existing and early-stage small businesses. Our approach integrates Indigenous cultural community values within their business models. 

The Program

Through our three-year business development program, businesses have the opportunity to evaluate their business model against current market opportunities. IWI provides entrepreneurs with the education, resources, and mentorship needed to build and promote growth.

  • Gain access to a safe, collaborative workspace

  • Curate a network of local business leaders, consultants, and organizations

  • Develop executive leadership skills through an Indigenous lens

  • Access capital and funding opportunities

Meet Cohort III

  • 'AU 'AU HI

    Deneen Dwyer Hesia | Kane’ohe, O’ahu | Native Hawaiian & Puerto Rican

  • [EP-IK] STYLE

    Sydney Yap-Kalipi | Kaunakakai, Moloka’i | Native Hawaiian

  • HULALEI DESIGNS

    Lehua Greenwell | Moloka’i Island | Native Hawaiian

  • IOLANI MORIKAMI

    Iolani Morikami | Honolulu, O’ahu | Native Hawaiian

  • ISLAND SWIM

    Lilinoe Wedemeyer | Kealakekua, Hawai’i | Native Hawaiian & Chamorro

  • KŌ KĀKOU 'ĀINA

    Thelma Tomich | Kaiwiki, Hilo Hema, Hawai’i | Native Hawaiian

  • ONWARD + UPWARD

    Raenissa (Noe) Sagapolutele | Kapolei, O’ahu | Native Hawaiian

  • PIKO THERAPY HAWAI'I

    Lauren Melendez | Kapolei, O’ahu | Native Hawaiian & Filipina

  • SOULÉ

    Kecia Littman | Honolulu, O’ahu | Native Hawaiian

Meet Cohort II

  • B.ALIA

    Brandy Alia Serikaku | Hilo, Hawai’i | Native Hawaiian

  • FOUNDRY SALON

    Mahina Ho | Kailua, O’ahu | Native Hawaiian

  • GENUINE GUAVA

    Kawehi Hopkins | Kaimuki, O’ahu | Native Hawaiian

  • HUAKA'I HONEY

    Teleise Scanlan | Hilo, Hawai’i | Native Hawaiian and Samoan

  • NĀ'OHU / UNION PASIFIKA

    Marissa Kihoi | Waimea, Hawai’i | Native Hawaiian

  • NŌHIE

    Sweetheart Eleneki | Wailuku, Maui | Native Hawaiian

  • SLK CONSULTING

    Summer Kapanui | Kaimuki, O’ahu | Native Hawaiian

Meet Cohort I

  • HOOKED UP HAWAI'I

    Kehaunani Reis | Kane’ohe, O’ahu | Native Hawaiian

  • KAHIKOLU

    Brytni Kalei K-Aloha | Punalu’u, O’ahu | Native Hawaiian

  • KA MOANA BOUTIQUE

    Moana Noa | Nanakuli, O’ahu | Native Hawaiian

  • KAMAILEAULI'IL'I

    Kim Scott | Kailua, O’ahu | Native Hawaiian

  • SIMPLY HEALTHY WITH ESTEE

    Estee Shizuru | Kuli’ou’ou, O’ahu | Maori

Meet the Mentors

  • Kanakolu Noa

    Founder, Kūkolu

  • Crissy Gayagas

    Colonel (US Army, Ret.) and Business Consultant

  • Debbi Eleneki

    Honolulu Fire Department Battalion Chief (Ret.)

  • Janeen Olds

    Attorney

  • Kelly Dukelow

    Assistant Head of School, Kamehameha Schools Maui

  • Kimberly Lord

    Senior Managing Director, CB Richard Ellis Hawai’i (Ret.)

  • Lisa Kracher

    Vice President, Array Corp. and President, Staffing Solutions of Hawai’i and Kahu Malama Nurses

  • Nalani Simpson

    Business Consultant