ʻŌiwi Leadership Accelerator

Sponsored by Kamehameha Schools, the Hawaiʻi Employers Council & Alakaʻina Foundation

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.

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Program Goals

  • 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 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.

  • 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

  • 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.

  • Embrace innovation in integrating ʻike kūpuna in navigating confluences of modern and traditional knowledge systems to foster a holistic approach to leadership.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

This program is 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 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.

The 2025 Cohort application period has ended.

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

  • Amber Pomaikalani Leon Guerrero

    Chief Equity & Engagement Officer,

    DreamHouse ʻEwa Beach Public Charter School

  • Cameron Foy

    Physician Liaison,

    Shriners Children's Hawaiʻi

  • Chevelle Davis

    Director of Early Childhood & Health Policy,

    Hawai'i Children's Action Network

  • Colby Sameshima

    Founder & CEO,

    Kālele Enterprises

  • Evan Castro

    Director of Project Delivery,

    Shifted Energy

  • Ikaika Perreira

    Chief of Staff,

    Hoʻōla Lāhui Hawaiʻi

  • Kayla Chung

    School Counselor,

    Kaimiloa Elementary, Department of Education

  • Kēhau Lucas

    Senior Design Specialist,

    Kamehameha Schools Maui

  • Kehaulani Volhein

    Office Manager,

    Damon Key Leong Kupchak Hastert

  • Keʻōpū Reelitz

    Director of Policy & Strategy,

    Papa Ola Lōkahi

  • Kepa Barrett

    External Affairs Officer,

    Kupu

  • Landon Opunui

    Executive Director,

    Nā Puʻuwai

  • Leia Leong

    Director of Operations,

    Ke Ola Mamo

  • Leimomi Bong

    Creative Developer,

    Purple Maiʻa

  • Maka Gibson

    Program Officer,

    Resources Legacy Fund

  • Makanalani Gomes

    Fellow,

    Ban Ki Moon Foundation

  • Mālia Purdy

    Executive Director,

    Hui No Ke Ola Pono

  • Paige Miki Okamura

    Training Specialist,

    Administration for Native Americans Pacific Region

  • Peter Tuiolosega Silva

    Chief Executive Officer,

    Kumukahi Health + Wellness

  • Sarah Kama

    Director of Finance,

    Partners In Development Foundation

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions are being added here as they arise - please check back regularly!

Send any more questions to: info@oiwileadershipaccelerator.com

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • The program will be capped at 20 individuals.

  • All applicants will be notified of their selection status by phone or e-mail the week of January 13, 2025.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • A selection committee, comprised of the program facilitators and representatives from our sponsoring agencies, will be reviewing the applications and collectively making the selection decisions.

  • Scholarship criteria based on need are determined by the individual applicant's specific financial and personal circumstances, rather than the needs of their organization. Applicants must express their need for financial assistance in their application. Funding for the scholarship can be a combination of sources; for instance, an employer could cover a portion of the cost, with the individual covering the rest, in splits such as 50/50, 75/25, or 90/10.

  • 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.

  • If you are a participant who is not based on Oʻahu, we will provide a stipend for you to apply to your self-arranged flights and ground transportation to/from the gathering site(s), which should cover your travel costs. Any other chosen expenses associated with travel (e.g. overnight hotel stays, airport meals, airport parking on your island, etc.) will be on your own/outside of these covered costs.

  • Generally speaking, participants should expect to spend full day for each in-person gathering (6 sessions) and 3 hours for our final closing celebration/hōʻike. 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. It can be seen as approx. a 10-hour per month commitment.

  • Our first session in January and the hōʻike closing ceremony in June are mandatory; participants are not allowed to miss or make-up these sessions. 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 approve of half-day attendances or arriving late/leaving early.

  • Unfortunately, no. ʻŌiwi Leadership Accelerator Cohort #2 is happening 100% in-person on Oʻahu. However, join our email list for potential future virtual opportunities!

  • We are still in pilot & learning phase with this program. Upon securing additional funding, we are hoping to be able to continue offering a third cohort in the future! 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!