Community
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THIS TOO SHALL PASS: Zahrah calls for balance after Maui fires
"Come breathe with me." Zahrah Dawood found herself amidst the chaos and fear that enveloped her community immediately after the shock brought by the Maui wildfires that struck on August... -
SHAKEN YET DETERMINED: Katie is not giving up
Running a small business is never a walk in the park. Katie Wilson of West Maui Sports and Fishing Supply knows this all too well. Along with her husband, Lopaka,... -
DRIVEN BY PASSION NOT FEAR: Jess navigates Maui’s uncertain future
In the aftermath of the wildfires on Maui and the uncertainties that follow, there shines a beacon of positivity, hope, and resilience named Jessica Tepora. Known affectionately as Jess, she... -
COMMUNITY: Island Essence’s secret to long-lasting success
In the heart of Maui, where the sun-kissed beaches meet lush tropical landscapes, there's a business that embodies the essence of aloha in every product they create. Island Essence, a... -
RESILIENCE: Claudia Navigates Adversity With the Aloha Spirit
Claudia Bustamente, the passionate owner of Koko Val Hawaii, a female-owned and operated small business based on Maui shares her story of resilience and strength as her community grapples with... -
TRUE STRENGTH: Giving Back Through Unimaginable Losses
Alexis Kudu spent a majority of her time on Maui living and working in the vibrant town of Lahaina. She had moved to Wailuku just five months ago, seeking new... -
CAPABLE AND POSSIBLE: Leinani Would Go
If you thought you could and felt you should, do you think you would? The answer was yes, and Leinani Hong’s wood-working and engraving small business She Wood Go was... -
WEAR SUCCESS ON YOUR SLEEVE: Ayshialyn Sabado is Ready for the World
“My story is a testament to the ambition and courage to follow my dreams.” In order to tackle an internship opportunity in late 2022, Business Management senior at the University... -
VOLUNTEERISM: How Jena received from giving back
When Jena heard about the mission to empower women through ShopYWCAs social enterprise she immediately started planning and organized the first designer bag donation drive to “help women feel beautiful and powerful.” Jena solicited over a dozen new and slightly used designer bags and accessories from her personal network that made an impact through fundraising. Although Jena herself is very frugal and thrifts everything, she believes that nice designer pieces can make people feel confident and are transformative. -
STYLISH POOCH: Island-Style Pet Couture Takes the Spotlight
Jean is a graduate of YWCA Oahu’s Launch My Ecommerce program, provided by the Patsy T. Mink Center for Business & Leadership, and funded through the Wells Fargo Open for... -
HEART and ART: Ruben and Sonya’s Love Story is Centered on Giving Back to the Community
There’s a wedding scheduled in this month of June and instead of pots and pans from an online registry, or red envelopes with dollar bills, Ruben and Sonya will request... -
GETTING IT DONE: Michelle shines in showbusiness
“You cannot keep expecting more and more if you’re not thankful for what you have.” We are delighted to feature Michelle Malulani Ake, founder and CEO of thriving Polynesian performing...
