ʻŌiwi Leadership Accelerator
Get grounded in your unique identity as a leader in Hawaiʻi.
Learn from influential ʻŌiwi leaders, executives, and community figures.
Gain invaluable industry exposure and build relationships with key decision-makers.
This 6-month leadership development program is designed to elevate Hawaiʻi-centric and ʻŌiwi (of the bones; Indigenous)-driven leadership within our local workforce in Hawaiʻi.
Leaders from our community often have to navigate two worlds -- Indigenous and Western -- our goal is to cultivate and bring together ancestral knowledge with Western skills in strategy and business, increasing the representation and readiness of local talent at key leadership and C-suite levels in organizations across our state.
Program Goals
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Elevate Hawaiʻiʻs local talent
We want to close the gap and equip Hawaiʻiʻs community by promoting and empowering leaders who have a deep connection to this island home and embody the values and aspirations of our community.
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Increase leadership representation
One of the goals is to increase the representation and readiness of ʻŌiwi (Native Hawaiian) talent in key leadership and C-suite levels in organizations across our islands.
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Fuse traditional and Western knowledge
The program is designed to cultivate and bring together traditional Hawaiian knowledge with Western skillsets in strategy and business among aspiring leaders.
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Illustrate and instill Hawaiian values
Using Hawaiʻiʻs stories and values, we will reflect on ʻŌiwi values and leadership skills of wayfinding, vision, strategy, peacemaking, community-building, adaptability, innovation, resilience, and civic identity.
The Curriculum
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Explore a foundation of leadership by delving into your sense of place and belonging to uncover your unique gifts while developing a deeper understanding of personal identity in the context of ʻŌiwi leadership.
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Embrace innovation in integrating ʻike kūpuna in navigating confluences of modern and traditional knowledge systems to foster a holistic approach to leadership.
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Develop strategic vision and wayfinding skills in your leadership journey as you heighten your self-awareness into the connections between leading self, to leading others, to leading with community.
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Delve into the history of peace- building and develop skills in compassionate leadership to support and maintain healthy working relationships, foster collaboration, and navigate conflict resolution within Hawaiʻi leadership contexts.
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Learn to re-center, implement, and sustain impactful projects with community in mind while optimizing leadership success measures using community wealth and ʻāina abundance as your guide.
Interested in applying? This program might be for you if…
You are Native Hawaiian and/or were raised in Hawaiʻi.
You are currently employed and doing Hawaiʻi-based work* (in a non-profit, for-profit, or government agency).
You have at least 3–5 years** of professional leadership or community leadership experience.
You are committed to your personal and professional growth.
You are ready to learn in a cohort-based community.
You are dedicated to improving Hawaiʻi.
*Because our program is aimed at strengthening our local workforce and those who are currently contributing to and directly impacted by Hawaiʻi's local economy, we have defined this to mean work that is being done physically in Hawaiʻi at least 90% of the time. This includes Hawaiʻi organizations and non-Hawaiʻi organizations where the individual is employed but doing most of their work here in our state.
**For example: supervisory or management experience, leading or contributing to organizational initiatives and major projects including community efforts.
Program Outcomes
Through participating in the ʻŌiwi Leadership Accelerator, participants will:
Cultivate a profound sense of pride in their identity as ʻŌiwi and as leaders in Hawaiʻi, fostering a strong connection to their island and cultural roots.
Demonstrate a deep commitment to driving positive change for Hawaiʻi and the well-being of the communities in which they reside, actively engaging in initiatives that contribute to the betterment of society.
Develop enhanced confidence in seeking and applying for leadership positions, equipped with the skills and mindset necessary to excel in such roles.
Attain a clearer and more comprehensive vision of their leadership identity, aligning their values and aspirations with impactful leadership practices.
Experience heightened levels of self-awareness and self-compassion, promoting personal growth and resilience in the face of leadership challenges.
Feel invested in positive change for Hawaiʻi and the communities in which they live
2025 Cohort
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Amber Pomaikalani Leon Guerrero
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Cameron Foy
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Chevelle Davis
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Colby Sameshima
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Evan Castro
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Ikaika Perreira
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Kayla Chung
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Kēhau Lucas
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Kehaulani Volhein
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Keʻōpū Reelitz
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Kepa Barrett
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Landon Opunui
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Leia Leong
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Leimomi Bong
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Maka Gibson
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Makanalani Gomes
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Mālia Purdy
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Paige Miki Okamura
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Peter Tuiolosega Silva
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Sarah Kama
2024 Cohort
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Alana Eagle
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Carolyn Auweloa
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Courtney Conching
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Shellie Niles
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Chloe Yap
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Leonani Puailihau
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Katie Kaʻahanui
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Raquel Kealalōkahi Aki
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Jodie Burgess
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Nalani Kaku
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Sabrina Kehau Golis
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Kayla Economou
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Michaellyn Burke
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Kellen Sasano
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Piʻikea Kalakau-Baarde
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Danielle Hoohila Bicoy
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Shannan Lokelani Quiamno
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Shannon De Leon
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Makana Tani
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Harry ʻEleu Robins
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions are being added here as they arise - please check back regularly!
Send any more questions to: info@oiwileadershipaccelerator.com
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Tuition for this 6 month leadership program includes facilitated on-site learning opportunities, four (4) executive coaching sessions, peer learning sessions, community-based opportunities, and networking. All meals and materials are also included. Program value: $9,350. Cost: $4,400.
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There are two different options: the tuition may be paid in two (2) equal installments - due Jan 17 and April 18, or you may spread the tuition out over six (6) equal installments - due Jan 17, Feb 1, Mar 1, April 1, May 1 and June 1.
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The program will be capped at 15 individuals.
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Upon submitting an application, you will receive an automated email confirmation. After applications close on October 13th, our evaluation committee will make a first round of selections and invite semi finalists to a Zoom interview between October 23-29. All applicants will be notified of our final selections, including any scholarships being offered, on October 31, 2025.
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Because our program is aimed at strengthening our local workforce and those who are currently contributing to and directly impacted by Hawaiʻi's local economy, we have defined this to mean work that is being done physically in Hawaiʻi at least 90% of the time. This includes Hawaiʻi organizations and non-Hawaiʻi organizations where the individual is employed but doing most of their work here in our state. While our original criteria required participants to work for a “Hawaiʻi-based organization”, we have broadened our criteria based on community feedback.
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Being Hawaiʻi-based refers to where the majority of the organization's activities are conducted. For an organization to be considered Hawaiʻi-based, it should primarily operate within the state and tackle unique local challenges related to talent retention, recruitment, and economic constraints associated with the cost of living. Although there may be grey areas, exceptions can be made for global or continent-based organizations if they have a significant presence and employment in the state, acknowledging their understanding and impact by similar challenges.
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Our evaluation committee is comprised of program facilitators, representative ʻŌLA alumni, and our sponsors. Collectively, we will be reviewing the applications, conducting interviews, and making the selection decisions.
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In the general application form, we’ve included additional questions to apply for scholarships.
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The scholarship application is intended for individuals, not organizations. This design ensures that applicants are self-motivated and demonstrate readiness, motivation, commitment, and responsibility towards their leadership development. While organizations cannot apply on behalf of an individual, they can play a significant role by identifying potential candidates within their organization and supporting them through the application process, sponsoring partial or full cost of their tuition, and supporting their successful participation in the program.
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If you are joining the program from an island other than Oʻahu, we will provide you with a flat stipend of $1,500 for you to apply towards your travel costs (e.g. flights and ground transportation to/from the gathering sites).
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Generally speaking, participants should expect to spend an average of 10-15 hours per month devoted to the program, the exception being our kickoff session, which is a 1.5 day overnight retreat. Each subsequent in-person gathering is a full-day and your attendance all day is required. Additionally, you will have four 1:1 coaching sessions at 45-60 mins each, and accountability check-ins once a month with a partner in the cohort, at a time and duration of your choosing (approx. 45-60 mins each), happening over an 6-month period. Outside of “program time” is also needed for preparation and working on your leadership portfolio.
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Session 1: Friday, January 23, 2026 – Leading Self: Unearthing Layers of our Identity Thru Kinolau
Session 2: Friday, February 20, 2026 – Leading Self: Wayfinding
Session 3: Friday, March 27, 2026 – Leading Self: Huakaʻi of the Ecological Self
Session 4: Friday, April 17, 2026 – Leading Others: Kuleana as a Change Catalyst
Session 5: Friday, May 22, 2026 – Leading Others: Facilitation & Influence
Session 6: Friday, June 12, 2026 – Leading in Community: Conflict Resolution & Resilience
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Our first session in January and the hōʻike closing ceremony in June are mandatory; because of the importance of setting our foundation and closing together, those cannot be missed. In between, we allow for one (1) excused absence from the program. Because so much of our program is experiential, place, and relationship-based, your full commitment to the program dates is important and expected. We also do not allow half-day attendances or arriving late/leaving early.
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Unfortunately, no. ʻŌiwi Leadership Accelerator is a place-based program in-person. However, join our email list for potential future virtual opportunities!
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Tentative dates for all future cohorts are January through June. If you would like to express early interest and be informed about a possible future cohort, please send us an email and we will keep you posted!