As the chanters enter, their voices set the tone, grounded in ʻike, in kuleana, and in the ʻike of those who came before. One by one, the honorees are led forward and guided intentionally to their places among the community. It is a moment that reminds us: this is more than an event; this is a continuation of legacy.

The Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce’s 49th Annual ʻŌʻō Awards embraces this year’s theme: Kūkulu i ka Hoʻoilina o Hawaiʻi; Building the Legacy of Hawaiʻi. That legacy lives through this year’s honorees.

This year’s ʻŌʻō Award honorees will be (l-r): Brickwood Galuteria, Kimo Kahoano, Kuʻuipo Kumukahi, and Rick Fernandez. – Courtesy Photos

Samie Kuʻuipo Kumukahi, a master of traditional Hawaiian mele, is honored as a guardian of culture whose voice carries generations of ʻike. Through her music and lifelong dedication, she ensures that our language, stories, and traditions continue to live and breathe.

Richard “Rick” Fernandez is recognized for building pathways of opportunity. His work has strengthened organizations, supported economic growth, and uplifted individuals and ohana, shaping a stronger future for our community.

Together, Brickwood Galuteria and Kimo Kahoano have helped define the modern voice of Hawaiʻi. From their time on the Aloha Morning Show to decades of work across media, culture, and public service, they have connected people, amplified local voices, and shared Hawaiʻi with the world. Brickwood’s leadership has bridged community and government, while Kimo’s presence has carried aloha far beyond our shores.

Our Master of Ceremonies Kainoa Carlson will lead the evening with the vibrant energy of Paʻahana, bringing music that reflects the rhythm and soul of our islands. This will be followed by the powerful expression of hula by Hālau Hula Ka Lehua Tuahine led by Kumu Hula Hiwa Vaughn, reminding us that culture is not something we preserve in the past, but something we live today.

Through ceremony, music, and storytelling, the annual ʻŌʻō Awards is a celebration of those who build, protect, and carry forward the legacy of Hawaiʻi. It is also a call for each of us to continue that work.

We invite the community to join us on October 16, 2026, from 5:30–9:00 p.m. at the Sheraton Waikīkī, as we honor these extraordinary individuals and celebrate the future they help create.

For more information, or to sponsor a table, visit nativehawaiianchamberofcommerce.org.

The post The 49th Annual ʻŌʻō Awards
: Kūkulu i ka Hoʻoilina o Hawaiʻi appeared first on Ka Wai Ola.

Lost in much of that coverage is the real story: organizations quietly doing exactly what the program was designed to do, reinvesting proceeds from federal contracting back into Native Hawaiian communities, expanding opportunity for the lāhui.

Many may have never heard of NHOs. But these nonprofit organizations have supported scholarships, built workforce pathways, partnered with schools, and invested in the next generation of Native Hawaiian leaders.

One example is The Hawaiʻi Pacific Foundation (HPF), which uses revenues generated through federal contracting to support education, workforce development, and community initiatives across the islands.

HPF President and CEO Jeanine DeFries explained that the goal is simple: create opportunity that flows back to the lāhui. “Our businesses participate in the federal SBA 8(a) program and compete for contracts. When those companies succeed, the resources generated are reinvested into programs that support Native Hawaiian students, families, and communities.”

Education has been one of the foundation’s key priorities. Through partnerships with the University of Hawaiʻi and other institutions, HPF has invested more than $5 million into programs that expand opportunities for Native Hawaiian students in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. But the impact goes well beyond scholarships.

Between 2018 and 2024, NHOs reinvested more than $125 million into the community. Those funds have supported everything from rural water systems and youth summer camps to university partnerships and workforce training. These dollars stay local, hire local, and strengthen local institutions.

According to DeFries, “It’s not just the money. NHOs show up. They’re on boards, in classrooms, at community meetings. They mentor students, partner with nonprofits, and stay connected to the work long after the check is signed. That kind of investment doesn’t show up on a budget line, but it’s real.”

The NHO model was designed to create stability. Federal contracting provides a consistent revenue stream tied to performance and expertise. That stability allows them to invest in long-term solutions that strengthen families and communities. Those investments address one of the most difficult challenges: the migration of Native Hawaiians out of Hawaiʻi.

By supporting education, career pathways, and leadership development, NHOs increase the likelihood that Native Hawaiians can build successful futures while remaining connected to their communities, culture, and ʻāina.

When opportunity is reinvested with purpose, it becomes more than economic success, it becomes a commitment to mālama i ka lāhui and helps ensure that future generations of Native Hawaiians can thrive in the islands they call home.

Questions or feedback? Please contact andrew@nativehawaiianchamberofcommerce.org.

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 appeared first on Ka Wai Ola.

I asked Lei how her journey led her to helm the state’s number one business publication. Her answer was rooted in leadership, mentorship, accountability, and Hawaiian values.

Business journalism, she believes, determines who is visible, who is credible, and who attracts capital. “Business journalism doesn’t just observe and cover the economy; it helps shape it. It provides business intelligence and best practices with editorial integrity to help business grow, advance careers and simplify professional lives. It attracts and follows capital.”

Shortly after taking the helm, Lei made a deliberate, thoughtful shift: PBN would expand its coverage of Native Hawaiian commerce. She joined the board of the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce (NHCC) and began amplifying Native Hawaiian entrepreneurs, executives, and enterprises.

Why? Because visibility is economic infrastructure.

Native Hawaiian businesses are not peripheral to the local economy, they are employers, investors, and innovators. When their stories are told consistently and credibly, access to opportunity expands.

The timing is critical. Oʻahu unemployment rate is approximately 2.4%, effectively full employment. Yet this statistic masks structural pressure. Many families are working multiple jobs to keep pace with Hawaiʻi’s cost of living.

Meanwhile, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander unemployment remains significantly higher, projected to be 8-9%. That gap is not just a disparity. It is a workforce opportunity.

At a time when employers across sectors report difficulty finding reliable talent, a segment of the population remains underutilized. The question is not whether jobs exist, it is whether career pathways exist that lead to sustainable wages.

When I asked Lei how PBN can help address this imbalance she replied, “We can highlight sectors hungry for talent, elevate companies investing in real pathways and amplify leaders building careers that last. When data is paired with human stories, decisions shift and so does the capital and opportunity flow.”

Her answer was pragmatic. Media can spotlight sectors struggling to hire, highlight companies investing in workforce pipelines, and elevate leaders building real career trajectories. Data, when paired with human stories, moves decision-makers. It influences where capital flows and which workforce strategies gain traction.

If Hawaiʻi is serious about reducing out-migration and retaining Native Hawaiian talent, economic visibility must match economic intent. Employers, policymakers, and investors must see both the workforce need and the workforce potential.

Leadership in the media is not neutral. It determines which stories become strategies. “In media, choosing what to spotlight is an act of leadership,” Lei said. “The stories we weave often become the strategies Hawaiʻi can adopt to move forward.”

Under Lei Pedro’s leadership, Pacific Business News is helping ensure that Native Hawaiian commerce and workforce realities are not sidelined but centered and woven into Hawaiʻi’s economic conversation.

Questions or feedback? Please contact andrew@nativehawaiianchamberofcommerce.org.

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In response, the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce (NHCC) is actively investing in programs designed to strengthen earning power, business resilience, and long-term economic security.

The GDP trend for Hawaiʻi (from 2015–2025 YTD), showed steady growth through 2019, a historic contraction in 2020, and a gradual recovery beginning in 2021. By 2024–2025, real GDP modestly exceeded pre-pandemic levels. However, the recovery curve has flattened, signaling slow growth driven by a narrow set of sectors, rather than broad-based expansion. This suggests that while recovery exists, momentum is weak and unevenly distributed.

Tourism remains Hawaiʻi’s primary economic engine, but its composition has shifted significantly. Visitor arrival trends by market show that U.S. visitor arrivals have largely returned to near pre-pandemic levels, but that Japan visitor arrivals remain approximately 45–55% below pre-pandemic levels, driven largely by the yen’s weakness against the U.S. dollar.

Historically, Japanese visitors stayed longer, spent more per day, and supported local retail, dining, and cultural businesses. Their continued absence explains why many small businesses feel pressure even when total visitor numbers appear stable. This indicates that visitor mix matters more than visitor count.

Sectors performing relatively well include:

• Construction & Infrastructure: Supported by federal and public investment.
• Healthcare & Social Services: Sustained demand due to demographic trends.
• Professional & Financial Services: Growth tied to national and global clients.

Sectors under pressure are:

• Small Businesses, Retail, and Food Service: Rising rents, taxes, labor costs, and thin margins.
• Hospitality-dependent local enterprises: Shifts in visitor spending patterns.
• Creative and Cultural Businesses: Growing, but undercapitalized and vulnerable to volatility.

While Hawaiʻi’s statewide unemployment rate remains low (~2.8%), the unemployment comparison trend shows Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander unemployment near 8.9%.

Native Hawaiians remain overrepresented in lower-wage and more volatile sectors, meaning statewide employment statistics do not reflect lived economic conditions.

Wage growth vs. cost-of-living trend shows a widening gap since 2015. Wages have risen modestly, while housing, food, energy, and childcare costs have grown far faster. This mismatch contributes to workforce instability, multiple-job households, and out-migration.

In direct response to these challenges, NHCC launched Project Hoʻomana, a comprehensive workforce and business- development initiative designed to increase earning potential, business resilience, and long-term success for Native Hawaiian entrepreneurs and professionals.

Project Hoʻomana provides practical training in business fundamentals, branding, marketing, and emerging tools such as AI; cohort-based learning, mentoring, and peer networks and; access to resources that help Native Hawaiian businesses scale, diversify revenue, and compete effectively.

By equipping our members and community with real-world skills and support, Project Hoʻomana is focused on a clear outcome: empowering Native Hawaiians to earn more, to build sustainable businesses while incorporating cultural values, and remain home.

A healthy economy must be measured not only by growth, but by who benefits from that growth. NHCC remains committed to ensuring Native Hawaiians are positioned to lead Hawaiʻi’s economic future.

To learn more, please join us on January 14 for our Economic Conference. Visit www.nativehawaiianchamberofcommerce.org for details.

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Moʻolelo are more than tales. They carry mana, values, wisdom, and the lived experiences of generations. Through them, ʻike kūpuna becomes a map, not just of where we’ve been, but where we’re going.

In the world of commerce, we often separate emotion from enterprise. But the most successful businesses, especially those rooted in culture, know that how we tell our story matters just as much as what we sell. Story is strategy. Story is survival.

I was recently at the graduation ceremony of a cohort of entrepreneurs. I had the privilege of teaching a segment. Each participant spent months refining their business idea. In class, many of them spoke with clarity and passion. They could explain their value proposition, their target customer, and their “why.”

At graduation, when it came time to introduce themselves and share a few words, some struggled. A few couldn’t say what their business was without looking at their phone. Understandably, these new entrepreneurs who invested so much time to make their dream a reality were nervous.

This isn’t about judgment, it’s about a skill we need to re-invest in: the ability to communicate effectively, in person, in real time, with confidence and pono.

We’ve all heard that public speaking is one of the most common fears, even greater than death. After years of COVID-19 and digital isolation, that fear, lack of skill, or indifference seems to have only grown. But it’s a skill that can be learned.

Here’s what I’ve learned, and what I now teach:

1. Know your message. Be clear on what you need to say, especially your key points.
2. Speak it aloud. Practice until it flows. Don’t memorize every word; know the beats.
3. Record yourself. Listen back. It will sharpen your delivery.
4. Connect. Eye contact. Realness. Ask a question. Make it a conversation.
5. Seek feedback. From someone who will be honest about what they heard, and what they didn’t.
6. Know your goal. What do you want your audience to do, feel, or remember?

At the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce, we’re working to grow businesses, and voices. We want to empower our members and community to know their story, and tell it with power, clarity, and aloha.

Moʻolelo isn’t just something inherited, it’s something that is lived. Whether in ceremony, in commerce, or in a classroom, the way we speak reflects the way we lead.

So…tell your story. Tell it well. And have fun.

For more information or questions email Andrew@nativehawaiianchamberofcommerce.org or call 808-208-5816.

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However, in recent weeks, signs of stability have emerged. Key trade negotiations are showing progress, energy prices have significantly declined, and the nation just recorded its lowest monthly inflation rate in four years. These developments suggest that the outlook for the remainder of 2025 may improve.

Business Sentiment: Clouded by Uncertainty

When asked about the 12-month economic outlook, only 23.1% of respondents expected improvement, while a combined 61.6% expected conditions to worsen or stay the same.

No respondent selected “Much Better” as their outlook.

This marked a drop in optimism compared to Q4 2024, when 38.5% reported the economy was the same as 2023 but better than 2019.

Sales Revenue: Modest Gains

Compared to the same quarter last year, 53.8% reported improved sales revenue while 38.5% stayed the same. Only 7.7% saw a decline.

Pre-pandemic, in Q1 2019, the numbers were similar, with 53.8% reporting better sales and 30.8% saying it was worse.

This suggests that while uncertainty clouds future expectations, many businesses have found a post-pandemic rhythm with improving revenues compared to 2019.

AI Adoption Rising

More than half of respondents (53.8%) reported using AI in their businesses, a substantial increase from the 30.8% adoption rate reported at the end of 2024. Applications ranged from marketing and research to document preparation and workflow automation.

Workforce & capital remain ongoing challenges

Hiring continues to be a top issue, with 33.3% struggling to find skilled workers and others citing high training costs, poor retention, or low pay competitiveness.

Regarding access to capital access, one-third of businesses report challenges securing loans, grants, or investment. Barriers include documentation requirements, creditworthiness, and financial literacy gaps.

When asked what the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce (NHCC) could do to help, many respondents requested more targeted networking (not just social events), expanded reach beyond Honolulu, and advocacy for local business-friendly policies.

As we compare Q1 2025 to the end of 2024, sentiment has cooled, but business performance shows signs of resilience. While concerns persist over government regulation, hiring, and financing, our members remain resourceful and adaptive.

With AI becoming a regular part of business operations and federal economic indicators turning positive, NHCC will continue to advocate for and invest in programs that improve access to capital, workforce training, and community-centered economic development.

Mahalo to our members for your candid feedback and for helping us tell your story. And mahalo to Rebecca Soon and her team at Ward Research for their work in refining our member survey. Their insights have helped us improve data clarity and relevance since our inaugural effort in 2024. Here’s to a strong 2025!

For more information or questions contact andrew@nativehawaiianchamberofcommerce.org.

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This prestigious event honors Native Hawaiian leaders who exemplify excellence in business and community service, embodying the values and traditions of their ancestors.

Established in 1977, the ʻŌʻō Awards recognize Native Hawaiian business leaders who demonstrate courage, resilience, and dedication to their craft and the people of Hawaiʻi. The award symbolizes NHCC’s commitment to acknowledging leaders who advocate for Hawaiians in business, ensuring that Hawaiian culture and values remain integral pillars that are passed on to future generations.

This year’s honorees have made significant contributions to the Native Hawaiian community in different areas.

Tammy Smith is a respected community leader and advocate of ‘ai pono (healthy eating) who has dedicated her life to feeding our people. She is a second-generation owner of the Hale Kealoha restaurant and catering business in Kailua which served Hawaiʻi for some 35 years. Her work included providing healthy lunches for 300 Hawaiian-focused charter school students each day. When COVID-19 struck, Tammy was working as the dietary manager for The King Lunalilo Trust and Home, overseeing their meal delivery program. A pandemic hero, she expanded her efforts to kūpuna stuck at home, working tirelessly to ensure that they had healthy food, rallying the community to kōkua and partnering with Alu Like and Alexander and Baldwin to pack and deliver some 1,000 meals per week.

Robert Piper has been a dedicated member of NHCC since 1990. He serves as executive director and CEO of the Honolulu Community Action Program, Inc. (HCAP), a nonprofit that addresses poverty. His involvement in public service includes roles as deputy director of the State Department of Budget and Finance and as chief of staff to the lieutenant governor. A former business attorney and banker, Robert has served on numerous community and nonprofit boards. He is a Weinberg Fellow, an East-West Center and Kamehameha Schools Fellow, and was named one of Hawaiʻi Business magazine’s “Twenty for the Next Twenty” emerging leaders.

Ray Soon is a lifelong public servant and leader whose career spans planning, housing, education, and historic preservation. After earning a master’s in city planning from Harvard, Ray returned to Hawaiʻi in 1990 to serve at the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, eventually becoming chair of the Hawaiian Homes Commission and leading the development of over 3,000 homesteads. He has held key leadership roles at Kamehameha Schools, the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, and was chief of staff to the Honolulu mayor. Now retired, Ray remains a steadfast advocate for Hawaiian communities, supporting leadership development and continuing his legacy through his family and consulting work with Solutions Pacific.

The 48th Annual ʻŌʻō Awards Gala promises an evening of celebration, reflection, and inspiration. Attendees will enjoy a program featuring cultural performances, heartfelt tributes, and opportunities to connect with fellow community members dedicated to the advancement of Native Hawaiians.

Join us as we honor these exceptional individuals and reaffirm our commitment to a thriving future rooted in the rich cultural heritage of the Hawaiian community.

For more info and to purchase tickets, visit nativehawaiianchamberofcommerce.org.

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With laser focus on brand identity, marketing, and business planning, Hoʻomana ensures that entrepreneurs gain the tools to secure financing and build thriving businesses that reflect their unique values and vision.

Unlike other excellent cohorts in Hawaiʻi, Hoʻomana provides a comprehensive yet time-efficient learning experience tailored to the realities of micro and small business owners.

Over the course of just 36 hours across three months, participants will engage in an intensive, hands-on curriculum taught by professors from the Shidler College of Business at UH Mānoa, receiving world-class business instruction while benefiting from the cultural grounding and mentorship of the NHCC network.

What You’ll Gain:

1. Brand Identity & Development: Define your brand’s purpose, mission, and market position to stand out in your industry.
2. Marketing Strategy & Execution: Understand who your real core consumer is and learn how to reach them effectively and efficiently.
3. Business Plan Enhancement: Develop a stronger, more compelling business plan to increase your chances of securing funding and investment.

Upon completing the program, participants will receive a certificate from the Shidler College of Business, a prestigious recognition that adds credibility and value to their entrepreneurial journey.

Graduates will have an exclusive opportunity to compete at a national pitch event. Ten finalists from across the country will present directly to Walmart and Sam’s Club buyers. This unparalleled opportunity could open doors to major retail partnerships and national distribution – a game changer for product-based businesses.

We understand that time is the most valuable resources. That’s why Hoʻomana is designed for busy entrepreneurs and structured as a manageable, high-impact program that can fit into most schedules:

• Mon.-Wed., 7:30 – 9:30 a.m.
• Three modules over three months (with breaks between modules)
• Total time commitment: 36 hours

This strategic format ensures that participants can immediately apply their learning to their businesses while in class without disrupting daily operations and time with ʻohana.

At Hoʻomana, we believe that true success is more than profits. It’s about community, sustainability, and cultural integrity. Rooted in Hawaiian values, Hoʻomana integrates values-based learning to help entrepreneurs align their business growth with their personal and cultural identity to uplift themselves and the broader Native Hawaiian community.

Registration is now open. If you are a Native Hawaiian entrepreneur ready to take your business to the next level, now is the time to act. The cohort is limited to 25 participants, so don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your business with Hoʻomana! We look forward to welcoming you to the next generation of Native Hawaiian business leaders.

Apply online at nativehawaiianchamberofcommerce.org

For more information or questions email Andrew@nativehawaiianchamberofcommerce.org or call 808-208-5816.

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Economic Sentiment in Q4

As we closed out 2024, NHCC members reported a mixed economic outlook for the fourth quarter. Nearly half (46.2%) stated that the economy remained the same as in 2023, while 23.1% believed the economy was stable but stronger than in 2019. However, concerns remain, with 30.8% of respondents saying the economy worsened compared to previous years.

Overall Economic Sentiment for 2024

Looking at 2024 as a whole, members remained divided in their assessment of the economy. While 38.5% believed the economy was on par with 2023 but stronger than 2019, another 38.5% reported no change compared to 2023. And 23.1% felt the economy worsened. These findings suggest a period of economic stagnation, with businesses neither experiencing significant growth nor severe decline.

Workforce Challenges: Finding Talent in a Tight Labor Market

One of the most pressing issues reported was the difficulty in finding qualified employees. Nearly 54% of businesses struggled to find qualified candidates, a consistent trend. Only a small percentage of businesses reported finding some qualified candidates in 2024. This labor shortage underscores the need for workforce development programs and better job training opportunities for Native Hawaiians.

Access to Capital: A Continuing Challenge

Securing funding remained difficult for many Native Hawaiian businesses. In 2024 overall, 23.1% of respondents found gaining access to capital more difficult but in Q4 alone, it was 30.8%. This is a concerning trend, as capital access is critical for small businesses looking to expand, invest in technology, or hire new employees – suggesting that many businesses are self-sustaining or not actively seeking loans or investments.

AI Adoption: A Growing Trend?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) adoption among Native Hawaiian businesses showed mixed results. In Q4, 46.2% of businesses incorporated AI into their operations, indicating a growing interest in automation and data-driven decision-making. However, by the end of 2024, this number dropped to 30.8%, showing a slowdown in AI adoption. This suggests that while businesses are interested in AI, barriers such as cost (AI is free, $20 month or $200 month depending on need). I believe, however, that it is more likely a lack of awareness or resistance to change which may be slowing full implementation.

Conclusion

The findings from NHCC’s Q4 and Year-End 2024 Economic Survey reveal both stability and persistent challenges within the Native Hawaiian business community. While the economy remained relatively stable, businesses continue to face workforce shortages, capital access constraints, and hurdles in AI adoption. Moving forward, NHCC will use this data to continue to provide better workforce training, increased funding opportunities, and AI education resources to support our members’ success through our initiative, Project Hoʻomana. Here’s to a strong 2025!

If you have question, please email: andrew@nativehawaiianchamberofcommerce.org.

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Research presented at the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce’s (NHCC) 2025 Economic Conference underscores a sobering reality: Hawaiʻi leads the nation in outmigration, with more Native Hawaiians now living outside the state than within. Alarmingly, 37% of survey respondents said they are actively considering leaving Hawaiʻi.

Economic opportunity is key to reversing this trend. By creating pathways for sustainable financial success – whether through entrepreneurship or professional growth – we can empower Native Hawaiians to thrive at home.

Jalene Kanani Bell, president & creative director of NOHO HOME, delivered a powerful message at the conference: “To secure a future where Kānaka can flourish here at home, we must create comprehensive, cradle-to-grave pathways for Native Hawaiians – whether as intrapreneurs within organizations or as entrepreneurs driving their own ventures,” she said.

“Success requires more than understanding the finite local market; it demands the ability to connect with Hawaiʻi’s dynamic tourism economy while scaling to national and global audiences. By envisioning how a skill, service, or company can exist across these intersecting markets, we can build actionable roadmaps. These pathways empower Native Hawaiians to seize opportunities, grow sustainably, and achieve economic resilience.”

NHCC has been steadfast in addressing these issues through initiatives like Project Hoʻomana, a comprehensive program offering workshops, seminars, networking, mentoring, and a dedicated cohort for micro and small businesses. These initiatives equip our community with the tools and resources needed to foster long-term success and sustainability.

Together, we can create lasting, positive change – one step at a time – and stem the tide of outmigration for a brighter, more secure future for Native Hawaiians.

To learn more visit: www.nativehawaiianchamberofcommerce.org.

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