How We Work
Whether we are in person together or online, how we interact is as important as the outcomes we seek in working together. All of these interactions are designed according to our organizing principles and values. When aligned:
We connect individual experience with collective wisdom.
We create safe spaces for people to reimagine how they live, work, and play.
We listen with compassion and respond with respect.
We build capacity for effective leadership and communication.
We offer direction to move forward with hope.
We honor the wisdom of elders and those who taught us the art of weaving.
Organizing Principles
Our approach stands upon four Native Hawaiian principles:
to establish and sustain lasting, generative, and aligned practices in organizations and communities.
Kuleana
Kuleana refers to one’s personal responsibility and contribution – both to themselves and to their community.
Pono
Pono – being in right relationship - builds capacity to express compassion, work to achieve justice, and foster hope.
Haku
Haku calls us to manifest our values through daily practices in order to establish healthy and productive places to live and work.
‘Ohana
The combined result of kuleana, pono, and haku is ‘ohana (family kinship). At its core, ‘ohana is built upon reciprocity, generosity, respect, and love.
Our Values
We seek partners who. like us, work in a spirit of community, collaboration, and cooperation to serve the best interests of all. We draw upon these Native Hawaiian values to conduct our work:
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Aloha
Embody the breath of life
We live the spirit of aloha by extending warmth and welcoming in caring with no obligation in return, and acknowledge that we are all interconnected.
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Ho'ihi
Respect for oneself and reverence for others
We honor all perspectives through courtesy and mutual respect, and believe that diverse voices, skills and contributions bring strength to the whole.
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Lokahi
United as one
We strive to maintain mental, spiritual, emotional, and physical balance and harmony – with ourselves and with each other – especially when we have differing viewpoints.
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Laulima
Many hands together
We foster the spirit of community and cooperation to underscore the importance of collective action in pursuit of harmonious and holistic outcomes.
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Ho'omau
Perseverance and persistence that results in lasting positive impact
We ask ourselves what we ask clients: to show integrity and accountability through active and dedicated participation.
Case Studies
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Forward Promise
Leadership Fellowship Program
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City of Sacramento
LGBTQ Pride and the Police Department
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Genentech
Aligning Leadership and Communication Styles
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City of New Orleans
Community Building and Racial Reconciliation
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Center for Diversity and the Environment
Facilitating Community Forums
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UCSF | Center for Health Care Professions
Building Cultural Capacity for Medical Professionals
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Health Equity Advocacy Cohort/The Colorado Trust
Building a Strong and Diverse Field of Health Equity Advocates