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To empower humanity through indigenous cultures, values, and traditions.
Led by native designer Manaola Yap and CEO Zachary Pang of MANAOLA, the Hale Kua Incubator Program inspires entrepreneurial spirit in indigenous artists and small businesses.
The Business Incubator program guides participants through five phases of business:
1. inspiration
2. translation
3. creation
4. business plan
5. business pitch
The program begins with a week-long retreat on Hawai’i island, where selected cohort members have the unique opportunity to walk in Manaola’s footsteps and explore the building blocks of culturally based business rooted in Hawaiian values and ‘ike kupuna (ancestral knowledge). The program continues with weekly workshops, guest presentations from industry experts, and in-person events at the end of each phase.
Through the incubator program, Hale Kua aims to cultivate Hawaiian arts, culture, values, and traditions by:
• fostering the next generation of storytellers in this time and space through their individual creative art
• teaching participants how to connect to time and space to receive inspiration and translate that inspiration
• establishing the effectiveness of a culturally-based business model as a foundation for success
Hale Kua partners with organizations to offer cultural workshops.
As the creator and owner of Hawaiian lifestyle brand, MANAOLA, Manaola Yap continues to pioneer indigenous fashion on a global scale, including exclusive appearances and illustrious partnerships.
Mother to Manaola Yap, Kumu Nani is an award winning singer, song-writer, entertainer, teacher, kumu hula and Hawaiian cultural practitioner.
With years of experience in retail leadership, Zachary has scaled MANAOLA into global notoriety since assuming the role of CEO in 2016, continually expanding its impact in indigenous commerce.
As a 501(c)3 organization, we are honored to serve our community through the generous donations of people like you. Your aloha allows us to provide programs and services that support our mission to empower humanity and perpetuate indigenous cultures, values, and traditions.
Descending from a family of hula practitioners and artisans, Hawaiian culture has shaped the life of Manaola Yap. From infancy, he learned hula from his mother, Kumu Nani Lim Yap, both at home and through hālau. With culture as the foundation of his inspiration, Manaola has been able to transform the intrinsic beauty, energy, and history of Hawai’i into visual art as the owner and designer of renowned Hawaiian lifestyle brand, MANAOLA.
Reflecting on his own experience with building his business, Manaola Yap recognized that indigenous entrepreneurs face unique challenges in their attempts to navigate modern commerce. Together with CEO Zachary Pang, he created Hale Kua in 2018 as a philanthropic approach to supporting indigenous creatives through their entrepreneurial journeys.
Hale Kua aims to serve as a resource center for Hawaiian and indigenous communities by creating avenues that will allow for great accessibility to living culture through education, experiences, and the arts.
Since its inception, Hale Kua has mentored two cohorts and over 20 participants statewide. Hale Kua continues to innovate business mentorship by establishing a comprehensive framework that connects indigenous cultures, values, and traditions with contemporary entrepreneurship.
Descending from a family of hula practitioners and artisans, Hawaiian culture has shaped the life of Manaola Yap. From infancy, he learned hula from his mother, Kumu Nani Lim Yap, both at home and through hālau. With culture as the foundation of his inspiration, Manaola has been able to transform the intrinsic beauty, energy, and history of Hawai’i into visual art as the owner and designer of renowned Hawaiian lifestyle brand, MANAOLA.
Reflecting on his own experience with building his business, Manaola Yap recognized that indigenous entrepreneurs face unique challenges in their attempts to navigate modern commerce. Together with CEO Zachary Pang, he created Hale Kua in 2018 as a philanthropic approach to supporting indigenous creatives through their entrepreneurial journeys.
Hale Kua aims to serve as a resource center for Hawaiian and indigenous communities by creating avenues that will allow for great accessibility to living culture through education, experiences, and the arts.
Since its inception, Hale Kua has mentored two cohorts and over 20 participants statewide. Hale Kua continues to innovate business mentorship by establishing a comprehensive framework that connects indigenous cultures, values, and traditions with contemporary entrepreneurship.
