At the annual meeting of the Maui Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce, held November 14 at the Grand Wailea Maui Resort, I was deeply humbled to be named a recipient of the Koʻi Award. To receive this recognition from an organization dedicated to uplifting our community, culture, and economic prosperity is an honor that fills me with profound gratitude. I offer my heartfelt mahalo to the Chamber’s leadership, its members, and all those who continue to nurture the vision of a thriving Native Hawaiian future.
The Koʻi Award carries a meaning that reaches far beyond its name. Koʻi is the traditional Hawaiian adze, a tool of precision, craftsmanship, and purpose. In the hands of our ancestors, koʻi shaped canoes, carved tools, built homes, and fashioned the implements that sustained daily life.
It symbolizes not only skilled labor but also the ingenuity, patience, and dedication that are hallmarks of Hawaiian excellence. To be associated with an award inspired by such a powerful symbol is a reminder that all of us who serve our community are called to do so with the same intention: to shape, build, and strengthen.
In honoring individuals with the Koʻi Award, the Maui Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce recognizes those whose work reflects these values – those who strive to create opportunities, empower our lāhui, and contribute to the shared foundation upon which future generations may stand. I am deeply grateful to be counted among those chosen for this distinction.
The Maui Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce itself stands as a vital institution grounded in both cultural integrity and economic vision. Its mission is to “pūpūkahi i holomua” (unite so that all may move forward together).
Through its programs, advocacy, and community-building efforts, the Chamber works to support Native Hawaiian-owned businesses, foster leadership, encourage education, and create pathways for economic self-determination. Its guiding purpose is rooted in the recognition that a strong economic foundation is one of the pillars of a thriving Native Hawaiian community.
Yet the Chamber’s vision extends beyond commerce alone. It embraces the understanding that Hawaiian culture, values, and identity are inseparable from true prosperity. The organization actively nurtures cultural knowledge, encourages intergenerational learning, and cultivates connections between business, community, and traditional practices.
In doing so, it reaffirms that Native Hawaiian economic success is not measured merely in financial terms but in the health, resilience, and cultural vibrancy of the entire lāhui.
Over the years, the Chamber has grown into a powerful network of entrepreneurs, cultural practitioners, educators, and community leaders. Each member contributes to a collective movement to uplift Native Hawaiian voices in business and civic life.
The Chamber’s events, mentorship programs, networking opportunities, and partnerships all reflect a commitment to building a strong economic ecosystem grounded in Hawaiian values such as kuleana, laulima, pono, and aloha. It is this blend of cultural grounding and forward-thinking leadership that makes the organization such a force for good on Maui and beyond.
Receiving the Koʻi Award inspires me to continue contributing to the work that the Chamber champions.
As we look toward the future, I remain committed to supporting efforts that benefit our people through economic empowerment, cultural preservation, and community-centered leadership. The challenges facing our islands are great but so, too, is the strength we hold when we work together.
To the Maui Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce, I extend my warmest mahalo for this honor. May we continue to build, carve, and shape a future worthy of our ancestors’ dreams and our children’s hopes.
