The agenda might include marketing strategy, mission refinement, and a dip in the stream. For participants in Kūkolu’s Indigenous Women's Incubator, that combination is not unusual — it is the point. The program, which supports Native Hawaiian wāhine entrepreneurs across Hawai‘i, weaves cultural protocol into every gathering, grounding the business work in something older and more durable than a quarterly target.

Inspired by a phase of the Kaulana Mahina (the Hawaiian lunar cycle) that symbolizes growth and expansion, the Kūkolu program is dedicated to advancing economic empowerment across Hawai‘i, strengthening Indigenous communities, and supporting wāhine (women)-owned businesses.

Kanakolu Noa, who founded Kūkolu, was born and raised in Hāna, Maui, in a household rooted in service and culture. Her father taught Hawaiian history; her mother worked in nonprofit organizations. One of seven children, Noa graduated from St. Francis School on O‘ahu before earning a degree in special education from Gonzaga University, a master's degree in Indigenous Studies from the University of Otago in New Zealand, and an MBA from Argosy University. 

With that combination of cultural grounding and academic training, Noa began her professional career at Kamehameha Schools, where she served as interim director of Sustainable Industries. The natural evolution of that work — shaped in part by the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic — led her to launch N30, a venture named for her place as the 30th grandchild in her family. Through N30, Noa worked with Indigenous artists to help them navigate the business side of the creative economy, allowing them to focus more fully on their craft. Around the same time, she launched Kūkolu, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting Native Hawaiian wāhine entrepreneurs as they grow and sustain their businesses.

Grounded in the pillars of kūpa‘a (to be firm and steadfast), kūpono (to be forthright, honest, and fair), and kūpū (to sprout or grow), Kūkolu’s cornerstone initiative is the Indigenous Women's Incubator (IWI) program. Born of aloha lāhui (love for the collective Hawaiian community), the IWI supports wāhine-owned businesses in their early stages of development, weaving Indigenous cultural values into business models to nurture holistic growth. Over two years, participants move through collaborative community workshops, connect with experienced business leaders, and strengthen their leadership capabilities — preparing them to lead with both cultural integrity and business acumen. The program also provides access to funding opportunities and financial strategies tailored to Indigenous businesses, equipping entrepreneurs with the resources, relationships, and knowledge to sustain and grow their ventures.

Kapuna Farms is one business to have come through the IWI as part of the Maui cohort. Founded by Miki‘ala Pua‘a-Freitas, who was born and raised in Waihe‘e, Maui, the farm is guided by a mission to protect, cultivate, and mālama ‘āina (to care for and nurture the land). What began in 2014 as an outlet for Pua‘a-Freitas to channel her love for farming has grown into a multi-faceted agricultural operation. Today, Kapuna Farms cultivates kalo (taro), a variety of fruit trees, vegetables, herbs, and both tropical and native plants, alongside free-range egg-laying hens and an apiary of hives rescued from across the island.

Amid the many moving parts of the farm, Pua‘a-Freitas grounds her work in the principle of aloha ‘āina, the deep love and responsibility for the land. “Working in harmony with the ‘āina and wai (fresh water) is always at the forefront,” she explains. “Even with my beekeeping, I practice sustainable and gentle beekeeping methods. I try not to overwhelm the hives and only harvest minimal amounts. It is the health of myself, the farm, and the different ecosystems that make up Kapuna Farms that I focus on.”

One day while scrolling through social media, Pua‘a-Freitas came across a post about the Kūkolu program. “For me, I am always interested in furthering my education,” she says. “After seeing the post and having a few people encourage me to apply, I decided to go for it. After the interview, I thought the program was amazing and really hoped I would be selected. I am so grateful I was, because I didn't realize how much I could organize myself and the farm as a business.”

Once in the program, Pua'a-Freitas attended workshops and sessions that helped build a stronger foundation for Kapuna Farms. “It really helped me hone in on what Kapuna Farms was from a business standpoint,” she explains. “It helped me refine my mission and clearly express the core of my business. That can sometimes get overlooked. Learning to create an elevator pitch that is pa‘a (firm) and maika‘i (very good) can really help you grow.”

She adds that the program often pulled her away from the lo‘i (kalo patch) and into the office — time spent at the computer that ultimately strengthened the work she was doing on the farm. While each workshop offered valuable insights, Pua‘a-Freitas says the relationships she built were just as impactful. “For me, the community you meet, of like-minded wāhine business owners, is huge,” she says. “We are all going through the same trials, struggles, and triumphs. Everyone keeps it real, and it is nice to have a space where we can collaborate.” And while applying to something new can feel daunting, she encourages others to take the leap. “If you are thinking about applying or hitting a wall with your business, it's important to take advantage of an opportunity like this and be inspired by others in business. Having a community of women on the same journey as you is incredible.”

Also among the Maui cohort is Roselani Suyat Aiwohi, founder of Waiwaolani, a Maui-based clothing company drawing inspiration from Hawai‘i’s native forests, plants, and watersheds. Through botanically inspired designs, Aiwohi highlights the beauty and distinctiveness of native flora while raising awareness about the importance of protecting the islands’ natural ecosystems.

Aiwohi applied to join Kūkolu about two and a half years into building her business. “I felt like I needed to learn more and wanted to connect with a network of businesses that I could turn to for advice,” she shares. While exploring various business development programs, Kūkolu stood out for its focus on women and Indigenous-owned businesses, which inspired her to apply.

During the program, nearly every session contributed to her growth as a business owner, though the design sessions proved especially resonant. “They have what's called design sessions that are meant to focus on you,” she explains. “While the workshops are the larger cohort working on one topic, like marketing, the design sessions are one-and-a-half to two hours with the creators of Kūkolu, meeting you exactly where you are in your business. You can bring any challenge you are facing to the table, and together they will help you work through it.” These sessions created space for deeper reflection and problem-solving — whether refining a strategy, addressing operational hurdles, or clarifying a brand's direction.

While there are tangible ways to measure her progress, Aiwohi says some of the most meaningful growth is harder to quantify. “For me, I really felt my self-confidence grow,” she says. “Having the time and space to focus, digest, and truly internalize your mission — front to back — helps you understand why you are doing what you are doing.” That clarity has influenced her creative work as well. “From that, I felt more confident in what I was creating and identifying the stories I wanted to share through my designs.”

Kūkolu’s blend of Indigenous values and intentional focus on wāhine entrepreneurs resonated deeply with Aiwohi. “Each time we gathered, we practiced cultural protocols that helped keep us grounded, especially during our retreats,” she says. “We spent time outdoors, doing things like mālama ‘āina, cleaning or planting together, even taking dips in the stream as a cohort. Those are experiences you do not usually get in other business programs.”

Equally important was the sense of belonging the program fostered. As the founder of a woman-owned business in a space where women are often underrepresented, Aiwohi says Kūkolu offered something rare: a platform built to uplift wāhine entrepreneurs. “As women-owned businesses, we are often in the minority and not always the ones receiving the most help, attention, or resources,” she explains. “But with Kūkolu, you are given a voice. You receive support that is tailored to you, and the program is mindful of the reality that many of us are mothers, giving us advance notice of workshops or retreats so we can make plans.”

As Kūkolu and the Indigenous Women's Incubator continue their work, the impact reaches far beyond individual businesses. By nurturing wāhine entrepreneurs through culturally grounded mentorship, community connection, and strategic support, the program is helping shift Hawai‘i’s economic landscape toward one rooted in abundance, reciprocity, and resilience — not only strengthening today's businesses but shaping a more inclusive and culturally aligned vision of entrepreneurship for generations to come.

Kūkolu; kukolu.org

Kapuna Farms; 2644 Kahekili Highway, Wailuku; (808) 633-3378; kapunafarms.com 

Waiwaolani; 33 Lono Avenue, Suite 380, Kahului; (808) 877-0280; Walk-in hours Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; waiwaolani.com