Building wealth with aloha
What is it?
The Business Incubator is a nine-month entrepreneurship program for Native Hawaiians, veterans, and local residents, who want to build a meaningful business rooted in self-sufficiency and Hawaiian cultural values.
Our Final Cohort 3: January 7 to September 30, 2025
Our intention is to increase the number of locally owned businesses aligned with values that support inner wealth while creating outer wealth.
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Testimonials
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“Joining this cohort has been instrumental to growth and happiness in my business and life. The network of support that I have received has been the most valuable thing. Our mentors are very knowledgeable and supportive of our individual needs. I am truly inspired by everyone in our cohort as well as the guest speakers we had the privilege of meeting.”
Kaya Waldman, Keālia Media
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“Being a small business owner and new entrepreneur is a daunting task. Having mentors and a group of individuals that you can lean on for professional (and sometimes even emotional!) support is a blessing. That is what this business cohort has afforded me over these last couple of months: it has given me the confidence to create and conduct my business the way that I want. It fosters meaningful discussions, provides tools and a networking system, and constructive guidance on how to achieve what it is that you want for your personal business journey. I'm grateful for the valuable skills I've developed and the connections I've made.”
Thi Nguyen, Aunt T’s Cotton Candy
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“Waimea Valley's Business Incubator program was an outstanding resource to build alongside a beautiful community of entrepreneurs. The workshops helped me better understand what areas I need to focus more attention on while giving me the tools and knowledge to execute. Overall, the experience gave me the confidence to push my farm and food business to the next level. I look forward to seeing the progress of everyone in our cohort as we all grow and flourish together.”
Ray Trinh, SoulSum Hawaii
This is for you if:
You’re a new or early start-up. You have a product/service ready for market, or expertise in a skill or art that you want to create a business with.
You want to learn business management skills and to create a business plan.
You want to feel confident about your sales and financials.
You desire to do work that’s deeply meaningful and creates value for Hawaiʻi and beyond.
You’re a Hawaiian cultural practitioner, artisan, or have a skill/product that you want to share with more people, while increasing your income.
You have skills in Hawaiian culture, arts, or botanical conservation and want to explore business ideas that support Waimea Valley’s mission & operations.
What’s included
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Training
Business foundations, planning, financial workshops (12), plus market opportunities at Waimea Valley events. Workshops held weekly in-person at Waimea Valley 10am-12pm.
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Networking
Quarterly events (4) featuring guest speakers and opportunities to connect with local business owners and leaders. Plus, Slack community of like-minded entrepreneurs.
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1-on-1 Support
Personalized support sessions on building your business, plus access to co-working space at Waimea Valley equipped with working stations, laptops, and robust printing resources. Work on your business surrounded by the natural beauty of Waimea Valley and collaborate with your fellow entrepreneurs.
Program requirements
Must be a Hawaiʻi resident and based on Oʻahu.
Committed to launch a business within 6 months.
Committed to participating in the full 9-month program, plus working on your business in your free time. Minimum 10 hours a week.
There is no cost to join. We require all participants to attend all 12 workshops, four quarterly networking events, three technical assistance 1:1 sessions, complete workshop surveys, and share your quarterly business gross revenue (kept confidential) for grant tracking and reporting purposes.
Program topics
The program includes weekly gatherings designed to create a strong foundation for your business, taking your inspired ideas into action.
Workshop topics include:
Validate your business concept
Create thriving business structures and financial processes
Register your business and GET license
Financial Basics: Money mindset & understanding financial statements
Marketing Basics
Craft your sales pitch
Hawaiian cultural workshops
Build healthy business admin habits: record-keeping and self-accountability
Develop your business plan
Networking Opportunities: Talk story with local business leaders and entrepreneurs
Test the market and get your first sales at Waimea Valley events
Design your waiwai life through your business
FAQs
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This program is best for new or early start-ups. You have a product/service that’s ready for market, or you have expertise in a skill or art that you’d like to create a business around.
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No. Cohort 3 in 2025 will be our last as we’re a 3-year grant funded program.
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Hybrid option available, although you’ll get the most out of this program by attending our in-person 12+ workshops at Waimea Valley to receive community support and connection.
Our quarterly networking events will only be in-person at Waimea Valley. Your 1-on-1 technical assistance sessions have the option of in-person or zoom. Plus, you’re invited to our co-working space at Waimea Valley, equipped with laptops and printing resources.
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Our program requires 51% of our seats reserved for Native Hawaiians. We invite you to still apply.
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Yes! If you have any questions, email our Business Incubator Manager, Kristien at kalquero@waimeavalley.net or call 808-900-7677.
Kūkulu I Ka Waiwai
Kūkulu I Ka Waiwai is loosely translated to mean ‘Building Businesses.’ But literally, it means to build wealth. The word ‘wai’ means water, and because water is so valuable, the word for wealth is to say water twice: waiwai. But wealth in the Hawaiian worldview is not just about money or material items. It means to be “rich” in many ways – to have good health, to have a strong ‘ohana (family), to have good relationships, to have a connection with the ‘āina (land), to be well-grounded in one’s culture and values, and to have enough food. To have lawa (enough) is considered to have plenty, to have abundance, or waiwai, (wealth).
This website is supported by Grant Number #90NA8454-01-00 from the ACF/ANA Central Office/Administration for Native Americans within the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Neither the Administration for Children and Families nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the ACF/ANA Central Office/Administration for Native Americans. Its contents are solely the responsibility of Hi‘ipaka LLC