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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:
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
“It has been so long since I have been in a space like that. A safe, open space of learning with other like-minded kānaka. I felt like I was craving something for a long time but I didn’t know what that was until I was allowed to have this kind of space to find a deeper connection to my culture again. I have been able to create a deeper understanding for culture, ʻāina, and lāhui and the role that I play within our community. The sheer amount of manaʻo that Manaola had to share was incredible and it made me reflect on my own personal journey as he took us through his own experiences. I have learned the value of my time and space and I felt truly grateful to have been allowed to share such vulnerable moments.”
Ha’ikū, Hāmākualoa, Maui
Exotic parfum
Moku o Keawe
Functional & inspiring medical uniforms
Hilo, Hawaiʻi
Indigenous lifestyle and wellness brand
Ha’ikū, Hāmākualoa, Maui
Exotic parfum
Moku o Keawe
Functional & inspiring medical uniforms
Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi
Lei artistry & portrait photography services
Kapaʻa, Kauaʻi
Graphic art & design
Kīlauea, Hawai’i
Stationary & social enterprise
Hilo, Hawaiʻi
Indigenous lifestyle and wellness brand
Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi
Lei artistry & portrait photography services
Kapaʻa, Kauaʻi
Graphic art & design
Honolulu, O’ahu
Luxury fabrics and custom bridal and formalwear services
Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi
Multimedia digital marketing agency
Kailua-Kona, Hawai’i
Hair & skin care
Kīlauea, Hawai’i
Stationary & social enterprise
Honolulu, O’ahu
Luxury fabrics and custom bridal and formalwear services
Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi
Multimedia digital marketing agency
Kailua-Kona, Hawai’i
Hair & skin care
“It was the inner-work that was most impactful for me. The healing. The ability to feel like our people and culture are going to be alright. It showed me that success is absolutely possible. It was being in a setting like Hale Kua, immersed in inspiration where I was able to get some rest from the day to day and reconnect with my culture to be able to then carry that into my life and business. I left empowered and inspired.”
“I have been waiting a lifetime for this experience. Inspiring in so many ways. Spending time with Manaola, Zack, and their family and team was so insightful. And honestly, magical. I was inspired to push beyond my own emotional and physical boundaries, connect in very deep ways, expand my way of thinking and seeing things, and disconnect to reconnect to who I am and who we are as a lāhui. I am forever changed.”
