October 3-7  |  Starting at $500

Indigenous Women's Incubator

A true incubator for Native Hawaiian-owned Businesses.

Most programs expect you to arrive already baked — with a business plan, a revenue stream, and a polished pitch. IWI starts from wherever you actually are. From the idea that's still just a feeling, an inner knowing, an inkling from your kupuna. From the business that's been running on instinct and hustle, and the pivot you're trying to figure out how to execute.

We created this program because we kept seeing the same gap: Native Hawaiian and Indigenous women with extraordinary potential and no place that was truly built for them. Not culturally, not relationally, not practically. So we built one.

IWI is cohort-based, deeply relational, and delivered in person on every island. We don't expect you to travel to us. We come to you — because presence is part of the work, and showing up in your community sends a message that no Zoom call ever could.

01

Discovery & Foundation

We start by exploring who you are as a Native Hawaiian, as someone who carries generational kuleana. Beyond business fundamentals, the IWI program supports not just your business, but the cultural lens that makes your work yours.

Experience IWI

02

Build & Structure

Business planning, legal setup, pricing models, financial foundations, and the operational infrastructure your business needs to grow with intention and not just by accident.

03

Brand & Market

Bringing your brand to life, building your online presence, understanding your audience, and learning how to communicate what you do in a way that attracts the right people and opportunities.

04

Growth & Kuleana

Exit planning, scaling strategies, mentorship, and the mindset shift from building a business for yourself to building one that contributes to the strength and abundance of the whole lāhui.

The IWI Impact

These aren't just numbers — they represent businesses that are operating, communities that are stronger, and women who are standing fully in their kuleana.

Revenue Growth

[X]% of IWI graduates reported significant revenue growth in the 12 months following program completion. Placeholder — update with real data from Kūkolu records.

6+ Cohorts

30+ Businesses Incubated

3 Island Represented

100% Graduates still operating

Community Reinvestment

IWI graduates have gone on to employ community members, sponsor scholarships, donate to local causes, and mentor the next generation of Native Hawaiian entrepreneurs.

Graduates Become Mentors

Multiple IWI alumni have returned to the program as mentors and community resources — the ecosystem growing and sustaining itself exactly as it was designed to.

[ Case Study ]

Emily?

Cohort Testimonials

[Alumni Name]

[Business Name]

[Industry] · [Island]

"[Short transformation quote from the alumni — 1-2 sentences in their own voice about what changed.]"

Read Her Story

Every IWI graduate carries a story. These are just a few of the experiences from women who showed up, did the work, and walked away with something they will carry with them into the future of their businesses and their lives.

[Alumni Name]

[Business Name]

[Industry] · [Island]

"[Short transformation quote from the alumni — 1-2 sentences in their own voice about what changed.]"

Read Her Story

[Alumni Name]

[Business Name]

[Industry] · [Island]

"[Short transformation quote from the alumni — 1-2 sentences in their own voice about what changed.]"

Read Her Story

Mentors

IWI is guided by people who have walked the path — in business, in community, and in Hawaiian cultural practice. They don't just teach. They show up.

Cohort V

  • ALOHA BITES & SIGHTS

    Rachel Patrick | Maui | Native Hawaiian

  • BIG ISLAND SMOKEHOUSE

    Kainoelani Lee | Hilo, Hawaiʻi | Native Hawaiian

  • HUI COME EAT TRAILER

    Leiani Delatorre-Ganon | Hilo, Hawaiʻi | Native Hawaiian

  • KW HAIR DESIGNS. HILO BAE

    Kristina Lewis | Honolulu & Hilo | Native Hawaiian

  • PŪʻĀ ANIMAL SERVICES

    Sariah Ani Kaakimaka | Oʻahu | Native Hawaiian

  • WEHILANI LYMPHATICS

    Brigitte Wehilani McInerny | O'ahu | Native Hawaiian

Cohort IV

  • ECHO

    Nicole Velasco | Honolulu, O'ahu | Native Hawaiian

  • KAULUMAIKA

    Emily States | Honolulu, O'ahu | Native Hawaiian

  • LO'IHI DESIGN & PHOTOGRAPHY

    Alyssa Rodrigues | Kona, Moku O Keawe | Native Hawaiian

  • MAIAVA MANAGEMENT

    Litea Maiava | Lahaina, Maui | Native Hawaiian

  • RBL MEDIA

    Pualena Pakele & Cabot | Oʻahu | Native Hawaiian

  • TRUSTWORTHY CLEANING MAUI

    Karlee Brown | Maui | Native Hawaiian

Cohort Maui

  • HAPA HOUR

    Halli Marie Ancheta | Wai’ehu, Maui | Native Hawaiian

  • HERE IN THE SUN

    Pomaika’i Marmolejos | Kula, Maui | Native Hawaiian

  • KAPUNA FARMS

    Miki’ala Pua’a-Freitas | Waihe’e, Maui | Native Hawaiian

  • WAIWAOLANI

    Roselani Aiwohi | Wai’ehu, Maui | Native Hawaiian

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

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

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

  • Crissy Gayagas

    Colonel (US Army, Ret.) and Business Consultant

  • Dani Aiu

    EVP, Consumer Banking, American Savings Bank

  • Debbi Eleneki

    Honolulu Fire Department Battalion Chief (Ret.)

  • Donalyn Dela Cruz

    Principal, DDC Consulting

  • Kelly Dukelow

    Assistant Head of School, Kamehameha Schools Maui

  • Kimberly Lord

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

  • Lisa Kracher

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

  • Nalani Simpson

    Business Consultant