Get Grounded InYour Unique Identity As a leader in Hawaiʻi.

Q: Are payment plans available?

Yes. Participants can choose between two payment options: Two Installments Six Monthly Installments

Q: Are the sessions in person?

Yes. The ʻŌiwi Leadership Accelerator is a in-person program. Participants gather together for learning sessions and community experiences across Hawaiʻi. At this time there is no virtual option available.

The Ōiwi Leadership Accelerator is a 6 month program that blends ancestral knowledge with modern leadership to support Native Hawaiian and local leaders ready to create change in their communities.

Learn from influential ʻŌiwi leaders, executives, and community figures. Gain industry exposure and build relationships with key decision-makers.

Express Interest In The 2027 Cohort

The Leadership Experience

The ʻŌiwi Leadership Accelerator is designed to help leaders strengthen their identity, expand their worldview, and grow their ability to lead with purpose in Hawaiʻi. Throughout the program, participants explore their sense of place and personal leadership gifts, integrate traditional ʻike kūpuna with modern leadership practices, and develop skills in strategic thinking, collaboration, and conflict resolution.

The experience encourages leaders to deepen their connection to the community while building the confidence and tools needed to lead meaningful change across Hawaiʻi.

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Active Members

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Alumni

Program Goals & Outcomes

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.

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.

Fuse traditional & Western knowledge

The program is designed to cultivate and bring together traditional Hawaiian knowledge with Western skillsets in strategy and business among aspiring leaders.

Illustrate & instill Hawaiian values

Using Hawaiʻi’s stories and values, we explore ʻŌiwi leadership through wayfinding, vision, strategy, peacemaking, community, adaptability, and resilience.

Hear From Our Alumni

Here’s what participants had to say about their experience in the ʻŌiwi Leadership Accelerator and what they took away from it.

“This session was amazing! I enjoyed listening to these kanaka leaders and hear their struggles that they got through as a leader and some as a leader in a very corporate position.”

Cohort Participant

“Selection of speakers! It was great hearing all perspectives! Breakout activity. It was a great exercise and definitely gained some valuable facilitation techniques and tips.’

Cohort Participant

“The panel choice was excellent, and I think it was relevant for all of us. Even though it was virtual, it felt like a deeply engaging leadership training and was just as effective and impactful for me.”

Cohort Participant

“The session content was engaging, relevant, and the speakers were honest, authentic, and shared openly about their experiences. They provided realistic ways to enact grassroots level change and I appreciated their willingness to share time and space with our group”

Cohort Participant

“Offering a balance of hearing from professionals and getting to collaborate with others within our cohort helps make things tangible in real time.

Cohort Participant

"‘I appreciated the panelists discussion and well planned breakout activities."

Cohort Participant

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Watch the 2025 Info Session

Program Details

We want you to feel clear and confident about what to expect from the program. Below are answers to some of the most common questions.

What is the ʻŌiwi Leadership Accelerator?

The ʻŌiwi Leadership Accelerator is a six-month leadership development program designed to uplift Hawaiʻi’s rising leaders through culturally grounded learning and community connection.

Participants explore leadership through identity, place, and community while developing practical skills in strategy, collaboration, and navigating complex leadership challenges.

The program combines in-person learning sessions, executive coaching, peer learning, and community-based experiences to help participants grow as leaders while building strong relationships across sectors in Hawaiʻi.

Who is eligible for the program?

The program is intended for individuals who are doing the majority of their work physically in Hawaiʻi (at least 90% of the time).

Applicants may work for Hawaiʻi-based organizations or organizations located elsewhere, as long as their work is primarily based in the state and connected to Hawaiʻi’s local workforce and economy.

What does the program cost, and what is included?

Tuition for the program is $4,400 per participant (program value: $9,350).

The tuition includes:

Facilitated on-site leadership learning sessions
Four executive coaching sessions
Peer learning and cohort discussions
Community-based learning opportunities
Networking with leaders and industry changemaker
All program meals and materials

Many organizations choose to sponsor participants as part of their leadership development or professional education budgets.

Are payment plans available?

Yes. Participants can choose between two payment options:

Two Installments

Six Monthly Installments

What is the time commitment?

Participants should expect to spend approximately 10–15 hours per month on program activities.

This includes:

A 1.5-day overnight kickoff retreat
Monthly full-day in-person sessions
Four one-on-one executive coaching sessions (45–60 minutes each)
Monthly accountability partner check-ins
Preparation and work on a personal leadership portfolio

Because the program is highly experiential and relationship-based, full participation in program sessions is expected.

Are the sessions in person?

Yes. The ʻŌiwi Leadership Accelerator is a in-person program.

Participants gather together for learning sessions and community experiences across Hawaiʻi. At this time there is no virtual option available.

How many participants are selected?

Each cohort is limited to 15 participants.

The small cohort size allows for deeper conversations, meaningful relationships, and a more personalized learning experience.

What happens after I apply?

After submitting an application:

You will receive an automated confirmation email.
The evaluation committee reviews all applications.
Selected applicants are invited to participate in a Zoom interview.
Final participants and any scholarship recipients are notified.

Scholarship applications are included directly in the general application form.

Can participants from neighbor islands attend?

Yes. Participants traveling from islands outside of Oʻahu receive a $1,500 travel stipend to help cover flights and transportation.

What are the program session dates?

The tentative dates for the 2027 Cohort are as follows:

Jan 22, 2027

Feb 19, 2027

Mar 19, 2027

Apr 16, 2027

May 21, 2027

Jun 4, 2027

Graduation: Wed Jun 16, 2027

What if I have to miss a session?

The kickoff retreat in January and the closing hōʻike ceremony in June are mandatory.

Participants may have one excused absence during the program. Because the experience is highly relational and experiential, full attendance is strongly encouraged.

Our Leaders

Get to know some of the leaders who have gone through the ʻŌiwi Leadership Accelerator. Each participant brings their own story, perspective, and commitment to creating impact in their communities.

Select Graduating Year:

Get Grounded InYour Unique Identity As a leader in Hawaiʻi.

The Ōiwi Leadership Accelerator is a 6 month program that blends ancestral knowledge with modern leadership to support Native Hawaiian and local leaders ready to create change in their communities.

Learn from influential ʻŌiwi leaders, executives, and community figures. Gain industry exposure and build relationships with key decision-makers.

Express Interest In The 2027 Cohort

The Leadership Experience

+

Active Members

+

Alumni

Program Goals & Outcomes

Elevate Hawaiʻiʻs local talent

Increase leadership representation

Fuse traditional & Western knowledge

Illustrate & instill Hawaiian values

Hear From Our Alumni

Watch the 2025 Info Session

Program Details

Our Leaders

Submit Your Expression Of InterestFor The 2027 Cohort

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