The name of the program is Kūkulu I Ka Waiwai, which translates to Building Wealth. Its intention is to increase the number of locally owned businesses, aligned with values that support inner wealth while creating outer wealth. In the Hawaiian worldview, wealth, or waiwai, means to be “rich” in many ways, like having good relationships and connection to ‘āina.

“It’s always been my dream to own a kava business,” said Ava Taesali, owner of Kava Queen.

“The business program helped me with vendor opportunities to grow my sales,” she said. Ava has been able to take Kava Queen full-time, transitioning from a six-day workweek to setting her own schedule. “To me,” said Ava, “wealth is time, and just being able to live, to go to the beach, or explore the mountains, and have enough money to do that.”

Kūkulu I Ka Waiwai emphasizes self-sufficiency and Hawaiian cultural values. Beekeeper, Katie Metzger, said that the program helped her move forward with clear intention. “Kuleana resonates with me. We’re all here to actualize our potential, to make the experience of living on this planet better for everyone,” she said. Katie owns Hānai Hives and helps people in the community get into beekeeping. “

A big vision of this project,” said Business Incubator Manager, Kristien Alquero, “is to help kamaʻāina design their waiwai life through their businesses. We’re asking people to define what success means to them.”

To Charzelle Flynn, a home-schooling parent, success means contributing to her family and having control over her time and lifestyle. Charzelle is the founder of Flow Tahitian Dance, offering classes at Waimea Valley every Monday. “Being in the program helped me transform what was just an idea in my head into reality. It set me up with the tools I needed to make my ideas manifest,” she said.

Kristien said, “A highlight for me is seeing people declare what they want to create in the world and then witnessing them turn their inspired ideas into reality.”

“It has been a pleasure to see everyone’s progress over the last year,” said Waimea Valley Executive Director, Richard Pezzulo. “We are looking forward to meeting another group of motivated individuals and supporting their start-ups.”

Waimea Valley is accepting applicants for cohort two, beginning January 10, 2024. Applications are due on November 19. Participants can look forward to guidance on how to launch and manage a business, with a community of other passionate entrepreneurs. Apply & learn more here: waimeavalley.net/business.

The production of this article was supported by Grant #90NA8454-01-00 from the Administration for Children and Families (ACF)/Administration for Native Americans (ANA). Its contents are solely the responsibility of Hi‘ipaka LLC and do not necessarily represent the official views of ACF/ANA.