HI Now Daily (July 20, 2026)

[00:00:25][music] How's it Hello gang and welcome to High Now Daily and welcome to day one of the Native Hawaiian Convention. Right now we are kicking off today's show live over here at the Blazeell uh exhibition hall where over the course of the next three days conversations that take place over here are going to greatly impact our Lahooi here in Hawaii. This is the 25th year for the convention put on by the Hawaiian Council. So to kick things off the president and CEO Kuhill Mu is joining us right now. And Kuhill I wanted to ask you as soon as people come down here we had over 2,000 people registered. This is the very first thing people are met with, right? What what's on the screens behind us?

[00:01:12]>> Well, this is uh you know, Hawaiian Council owns Hawaii Stage and Lighting, which is the largest staging and lighting company in Hawaii. I want Hawaiians to feel proud about being Hawaiian. So, the images on the screens are really just their clips of our people, our culture, our and it makes you feel like, wow, this belongs to Native Hawaiian. That's what I want. I want you to get that that feeling. It is. And as soon as you step uh down here and inside the convention, that is how you feel. We're going to bring you guys uh inside. It is day one. I mentioned right now 200 of registered. What are some of these conversations that are going to take place?

[00:01:43]>> Well, they're going to get a taste of everything really. We have cultural workshops, we have genealological workshops, we have improv, we have video making, like how to be a be on camera like you. Uh we also have, you know, lomi lomi hoola workshops. There's a little bit of everything. Even talking about gaming or like hot topics about the trust getting sued, you know, like where are we right now as a lahi? What can we do to be engaged? We'll hear from the mayors. we hear from the governor.

[00:02:07]Uh we want to know, you know, where are you in representing our people, our our our native Hawaiian community in particular. So everything's on the agenda today.

[00:02:15]>> Mhm. So also throughout there, you mentioned um cultural practitioners workshops that have been taking place as well. We're going to step in right now.

[00:02:22]This place has been buzzing all afternoon, this activation of Name Havi.

[00:02:26]What's inside here?

[00:02:27]>> So this is another asset of the Hawaiian Council. We own Name Havaii, which is a store that helps to to aggregate Hawaii based products.

[00:02:35]>> Mhm. And so what you have in here is over 10,000 unique products that are for sale.

[00:02:39]>> Take a look. There's so much people inside here. It's busy.

[00:02:41]>> It's been busy all day. So all Hawaii briefs products here. Chance for you to shop local designers, you know, big and small things. You can even buy the furniture that's in here. It's that kind of living room setup that you would see in like grandma's house.

[00:02:52]>> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

[00:02:54]>> Yeah. I love it. Also new this year for the convention as well, there's going to be some exclusive collabs which we're going to talk about um a little bit later. but also new as well um is this idea of the executive closet as we slowly showcase more and more of all the people coming down here supporting local at the convention but with this executive closet like how did this idea come about Kudo >> well you know honestly [music] it happened um because I was cleaning my closet and I was like I have so much clothes that I've accumulated over the years whether it was gifted to me I bought it and I was like what am I going to do with it and I said why don't I just give it to the next generation and then I said why don't I ask all the other executives to do it And so what you have here is 600 different shirts and dresses that have been donated from CEOs across Hawaii.

[00:03:38]>> So cool.

[00:03:39]>> All the banks, you know, like Hawaiian Electric, AIO, >> variety of different brands. I see Ren Spooner, there's Sigs, a lot of stuff.

[00:03:47]And everything priced right around.

[00:03:49]>> 20 bucks. 20 to 30 bucks. That's it. You can pick up a designer shirt and all the proceeds go to support our our leadership program. But really the concept is, you know, imagine if you're someone that's just starting out in in life, in your career. you get to wear a shirt owned by a CEO. I mean, it's it gives them confidence. I remember when I first started, I really didn't get a I didn't have cool clothes, so it's a chance for them to uh you know, get something cool to wear.

[00:04:12]>> Oh, that is awesome. Great idea. The executive closet. Um I think at last check, we've sold how much Aloha shirts on day one?

[00:04:18]>> Over 350 have already been sold. So, I mean, we're excited. We had the kids here. They were raiding the racks. So, we have some more coming in tomorrow. Um but yeah, I'm excited just for our OPO, but also for all the executives that contributed. You know, it's been it's been heartwarming to see the response of how many are willing to give.

[00:04:36]Absolutely. And again, uh with this year's convention, so many different activations are taking place. You mentioned the mayor sit down, which is going to be uh happening as well. 25 years though, Hawaiian council, uh this convention. What are you hoping that people take away when these three days are all public?

[00:04:50]>> Yeah, you know, I don't think any [music] of us could have charted the course that we're on right now. And so really it's just been being agile and moving with the needs of the community.

[00:04:57]That's been our strength as the council.

[00:04:59]Uh where I see us in [music] the future really I I see the next generation is likely in these rooms, you know, like the next the next CEO of the Hawaiian Council. [music] I started I was sitting in the back of the room. I never thought in a million years I'd be heading the Hawaiian Council. So I'm looking for the [music] next CEO. I'm looking for the one that can take this baton and take us to new heights.

[00:05:17]>> Yeah, absolutely. And I would have to say as well, representation is so important. That's what you get a chance to do to represent for us as Okuho model.

[00:05:24]>> Thank you so much to the Hawaiian Council. We're going to be down here um throughout this afternoon and in the coming days as well. Ever since I got over here though, people have been like, "How do you get this aloha? Uh how do I get this t-shirt? Where do I get this t-shirt?" Coming up, we're going to tell you where to get it. Stay with us.

[00:05:38]>> Awesome. Thank you, Kinoa. There's so many amazing events happening this week in Hawaii, and student surfers from around the world are actually heading here to Hawaii for an incredible competition. We're talking about the H homeua finals and we have Sunny Kazama, the co-founder of a youth empowerment nonprofit that produces the finals along with two competitors. We we have Joey and Keelin here with us. Thank you guys for joining.

[00:06:00]>> Thank you for having us.

[00:06:01]>> Of course. So Sunny, I want to start with you. This is the third annual um but very important competition for those who are not familiar. Can you tell us about the Honua Finals?

[00:06:10]>> Yeah, of course. It's an elite interscolastic competition here in Hawaii at Alamana Bowls held every summer. Um, as you mentioned earlier, this is our third year [music] doing it and we are so grateful. Um, it will be running from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Alam Moana Bowls. You can follow along at hawaienewsow.com [music] or watch it on K5.

[00:06:28]>> That's right. We're going to be broadcasting. It's going to be so amazing. And like I said, it's just going to be great seeing talent from high school students around the world.

[00:06:36]Can you uh name a few regions? I know we have now over 140 surfing competitors, high school students that are competing, right?

[00:06:44]Yeah, I'm super excited to welcome two new teams. We have Canada coming for the first time ever alongside a second team from Alteoroa, New Zealand. So now we have one team from Canada, two teams from Alteoroa. We have California coming in and of course we have Hawaii representing all four counties of the states and Japan.

[00:07:02]>> Amazing. And it's great to see, you know, the sport of surfing kind of just all come together, especially for high school students. And that's why I kind of want to go to um have you're in hand with making surfing a sanctioned sport in high school sports, right? So why is that important and how does it feel to kind of all have all this come together?

[00:07:22]>> Yeah, I mean I believe Honua finals really helped to unite the community, the surfing community, Unite Voices behind this push to make surfing an official high school sport. It's been an important sport in our culture, in our state, but only recently has it been recognized. And I think it is way beyond deserving of that. And I'm grateful to have had a little helping hand in making that happen through the Honolulu finals.

[00:07:46]You know, we started this because a lot of local surfing talent here don't have that spotlight, don't have that opportunity to go on to the mainland because of cost barriers to travel, to compete, to get the spotlight on the incredible talent they have. So my family and I decided we must bring the spotlight here. We have to uplift the surfing community here because this is the birthplace of surfing.

[00:08:08]>> And we have two of the star competitors too here with us in the studio, Joey and Keelin. So you guys um I know Joey, you just graduated. Keelin, you're uh a senior this year, but how I'm going to start with you, Joey. Why is it so important and to kind of be here in Hawaii and have that sanctioned sport for the first state that's going to have it official? Yeah, like Sunny said earlier, this sport is so beyond deserving of having the platform it does now, thanks to Sunny and the Kazama Ohana. So, I'm just really happy to partake in this contest. I feel like it's such a huge stepping stone in the journey of surfing in Hawaii and I'm grateful to be a part of it.

[00:08:46]>> I'm sure it's super cool to kind of meet other competitors from other not only states, but countries. And Keelin, I know this is going to be your second year competing. How does it feel to kind of come in this second year and as a senior?

[00:08:58]>> Yeah, I don't know. It's special last year. So, or no, actually I have one more year. So, it's just special to be in it again. Thank you to Sunny and her family. And yeah, I'm looking forward to representing my state, my school.

[00:09:08]>> And speaking of special too, third year this trophy grew from last year, right?

[00:09:12]I mean, check this out. This is completely beautiful. Sunny, you could tell us the significance of this trophy and why it's so special. So it's named after the queen of Macahar son and we just wanted to make sure we honor her legacy because she is one of the pioneering water woman for surfing but also women surfing and you know she's always had such a kind giving aloha spirit. She has her own surf contest out on the west side and we want to make sure we honor that here in town as well because without her woman surfing and just surfing as a sport wouldn't be where it is today.

[00:09:42]>> That's right Sunny. If people want to find more information and watch and just check out everything, where can they go to find more information?

[00:09:48]>> We have an Instagram, Hoy um sorry, excuse me, hunoa.finals on Instagram and hono.com as well as hoynewsow.com, which is where it will be live streamed.

[00:09:58]>> Amazing. And you too, good luck this weekend. You got to rub the the big wave for good luck, you know. Make sure you check it out. We're going to be broadcasting on K5 and hawaiow.com.

[00:10:07]We have so much more of Pine Now Daily right after this break and we'll check you in just a little bit. Got to rub. We got to rub the big wave for good luck.

[00:10:17]>> [music] [music] >> How's it gang? And welcome back to High Now Daily. We're back here live at the Blazedale Exhibition Hall, day one of the Native Hawaiian Convention. As I mentioned earlier when we met with President and CEO Kuhill Lewis. uh over the course of these next three days, these conversations around um education, cultural practitioners, continuing to move the looi for are going to touch a variety of different topics and in between these breakout sessions and conversations. Uh the Name Havi Mck is inside here featuring all kinds of incredible uh lle all of the good clothes over here. So we want to bring in right now, this is Ashley Alfonso and she is from the Hawaiian Council. Ash, the shopping in here is major >> major.

[00:13:13]>> Let's talk about it. What's inside? So, first and foremost, what I'm wearing right now is our NL Havi Peggger hop Peggy Hopper collaboration. And this is something that we brought back, uh, from one of her printed dresses from the late '7s, early8s.

[00:13:27]>> Very vintage.

[00:13:27]>> It's very vintage, but with a modern twist with a strapless look. And so, uh, this is one of the collaborations we have. We also collaborated with, uh, Jelene from Noah. And that's obviously a very, very popular current Native Hawaiian, uh, Wah owned business, too.

[00:13:43]>> Yes. Yes. So we we love uplifting the lahue. Okay. And so another thing that we have, can I uh shimmy you over here?

[00:13:50]This is aloha modern for convention.

[00:13:52]>> Awesome.

[00:13:53]>> Show the back.

[00:13:54]>> Beautiful.

[00:13:57]>> We love it.

[00:13:57]>> Now when you're saying for convention, that means you can only get them if you come down here.

[00:14:01]>> That means you can only get it [music] here >> today, tomorrow, Wednesday, and actually through the end of the week when we switch over to Kikihoola.

[00:14:08]>> But I'm going to tell you right now, it is so um busy down here. Go and sell out, gang. And this was the uh collab that you touched on earlier. Yeah. The different styles.

[00:14:15]>> This is the Peggy Hopper collaboration I was talking about. Uh the collaboration with Name Havi. Auntie Peggy was here earlier today just to see the fruits of her labor. And let me tell you, she was living. [laughter] She was living for it.

[00:14:28]>> I am also living for all of these collaborations. We're going to bring the camera this way cuz we have choke more stuff uh to show including this. This is also a new drop. Yeah, >> this is a new drop brought to us by Colleen Kimura of Tutui. She did this special run and colorway specifically for convention.

[00:14:45]>> Okay. Slip.

[00:14:46]>> We love We love the scallop look.

[00:14:48]>> Let me know when the Aloha shirt drops.

[00:14:50]>> Okay, we'll let you know. Actually, if you want to shimmy this way, let's shimmy this way.

[00:14:54]>> Let's do it.

[00:14:55]>> Oh my god.

[00:14:57]>> Get ready. Get ready. This is the fits for the Kane. Look at this new >> I love this. I'm going this khaki pants.

[00:15:05]>> Absolutely stunning. Also, we were able to team up with Kulan and bring in their VA along with a lot of their educational supplies here for the convention.

[00:15:17]>> This is a full shopping experience, a little bit of education. Over here, we've got um grinds on the table.

[00:15:22]>> This is grinds on the table. And I just wanted to bring your attention to we do corporate boxes. So, if if you out there need something for your company done, look no further. [music] >> Okay. Cocktail kits, a little bit of everything inside here. Uh Hawaii. It's such good stuff. Everything smells super. Okay, so that's all of our corporate boxing over there. Now, Fuhill was with us earlier talking about this executive closet, which is basically got like every Aloha shirt >> young browsers could possibly want or whoever, >> right? And let me tell you, this is what we have left. We had a ton, but honestly, I don't see these supplies lasting only because the amount of vintage Aloha shirts that came through the doors were insane. I love the vintage too because a lot of the stuff on top these racks they don't even sell this guy anymore.

[00:16:05]>> Yeah, people brought in Sigine Monola Tory Richard is over here too.

[00:16:11]>> Okay. And as we kind of round it out over here as well. We want to show you guys someone very important.

[00:16:16]>> That's Uncle Bill Char over there. Okay.

[00:16:19]>> Master lay maker that is over here. Also part of the collaboration with Rocket Ahouna and Name. How about you? Right.

[00:16:25]>> Yes. I Yes.

[00:16:26]>> Tell us about that. That's what I'm rocking right now.

[00:16:28]>> Yes. So, our wonderful, >> this is the collabs, guys.

[00:16:32]>> Our wonderful beloved lay maker, Bill Char, Uncle Bill Char made these beautiful lei and [music] rocket took it and put it on one of his famous shirts and we are selling it here just for convention at Nahavi's install.

[00:16:45]>> There you go. So, you got to come down over here to get it. We do want to advise everyone that's coming down as well. You see these t-shirts that are hanging up? We have a little bit of pil with right with >> Leave them up. [laughter] >> You've been You've been told. Okay. Did you hear that? Leave them up. We don't want people like grabbing.

[00:16:59]>> We like them. This is the aesthetic. We like them to hang. If you need a shirt, we have them ready to go behind the counter at N Havi.

[00:17:07]>> Oh, the install, not the store. Don't go to Bishop.

[00:17:10]>> So, don't be pulling these ones. If you come on down here and you want this one, you just uh you can grab it over there.

[00:17:14]>> You can get it at the register. Um right towards the back of the installation.

[00:17:18]>> Okay, Ash, let's go. We got one more thing to show you folks at home as well because as we step inside over here, this is like kind of takes you back in time.

[00:17:24]>> Yeah. Oh, see everyone working?

[00:17:27]>> Yes. Okay. So, this is our Whoa. This is our installation, our vintage installation by none other than Kathy Moai of Kumu Tutu.

[00:17:37]>> And what's inside here, Ash? Okay.

[00:17:39]>> Here we have vintage lle. We have uh vintage jewelry furniture. This bar.

[00:17:45]Have you see this bar?

[00:17:46]>> Oh my goodness.

[00:17:47]>> Look at these. Are you looking for these? The glass floats. Look no further.

[00:17:52]>> They get everything when you come. No matter what you're looking for. Our hours of the Name Havi Papa is same as convention, I'm assuming.

[00:17:58]>> It's No, it's a little different. It's a little different. Today we are open from 9:00 to 5:00 and then tomorrow we'll be open 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Wednesday we are open 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

[00:18:07]>> Awesome. And then as far as the uh collabs go, we're going like while supplies last. Correct.

[00:18:11]>> While supplies last. Don't wait. Run, don't walk.

[00:18:15]>> Run, don't walk. And stay with us. Okay, Ash, let's do more shopping. Stay with us. We got much more coming up from the Native Wine Convention after this.

[00:18:23]>> Mahalo. Is there cocktails for the bar?

[00:18:25]Should we go?

[00:20:31]>> [music] >> Hey, how's it aloha gang? Today we're talking about building a better future here in Hawaii. We're here with Billy Piper from American Savings Bank, Julie Ko from IO as we talk about the third cohort for the Houi Capili Accelerator program. Billy, tell everyone out there what [music] this program is.

[00:20:48]>> So the Houi Capili program is a business accelerator for the construction trade.

[00:20:53]Um, essentially we know that a lot of contractors out there are great with the hammer or they're great hanging drywall, but maybe they need some help in some of the finer um, strategies to run the business. Stuff like, you know, marketing and HR. And so the accelerator is a free 10-week program [music] designed to equip these builders with those skills so they can thrive in Hawaii.

[00:21:13]>> Gotcha. And you said a free 10-week program. What type of construction businesses are we looking for?

[00:21:17]>> So, we're looking at the whole builder [music] ecosystem. So if you think about it, developers, contractors, engineers, plumbers, electricians, anyone who touches that builders ecosystem.

[00:21:27]Obviously, [music] we love to help uh companies that focus on building housing and adding [music] um housing supply to our inventory, but fair game for everyone.

[00:21:37]>> Uh Julie, let's talk about why working within this accelerator program is [music] so important for IO. And again, going back to supporting construction trades uh here in Hawaii.

[00:21:46]>> Well, I think you said it. We're building a better future for Hawaii, right? We want to help these local [music] small local businesses that are building infrastructure, that are building homes for Hawaii um really succeed and continue to do what it what it is that they're doing is building homes, building infrastructure. And for IO, that was just very important. And [music] partnering with American Savings Bank just made sense cuz that's really a pillar that they've been focused on is getting people into homes.

[00:22:11]>> What is it like when you get a chance to meet and and talk with these different construction businesses?

[00:22:15]>> Um it's incredible. you know, we've we've [music] done two cohorts. We've seen some incredible success from the first two cohorts. Um, we have Haloa Construction that we're here today. I mean, we're on DHHL land and they are building homes for the people that need it most.

[00:22:27]>> Uh, let's talk about what the qualifications are for something like the Houi Capilia accelerator program.

[00:22:32]>> So, we like to see companies with some road behind them, 2 to 5 years of experience, really no limit on or cap on revenue. Um, we we we want to help people thrive in this economy because it's already tough running a business in Hawaii. In the construction industry, it's even tougher. I mean, there's stats [music] that say over half of the companies that started even just 5 years ago are no longer here. And so, that's the target we're after.

[00:22:56]>> Uh, if people are are looking out there right now and they want to apply, they want to be a part of it. You mentioned the fact that it's free. Uh, how are people able to do it? And kind of walk us through what that 10 weeks looks like for these construction businesses.

[00:23:06]>> Yeah. So, huikapily.com is the website.

[00:23:09]and you can go there, learn more.

[00:23:10]There's an actual form that you can apply. Um, I feel like the 10 weeks, it's a it's a [music] curated curriculum that takes folks through marketing 101, HR 101, risk management, the different things that we need to actually run a successful business. We bring together subject matter experts that can teach, but we also bring guest speakers who have done it themselves in Hawaii, folks like Stanford Car, folks like the Kobayashi Group. We want to include people that have done it so that you they they can provide these companies with hope. that it's actually [music] possible to do it. Uh Julie, what's your message out there to anyone who's on the fence about applying?

[00:23:44]>> I mean, go to the website, [music] um apply, talk to some of our our cohort members. We have a list of everybody who's been in the cohort. If you know someone [music] in the industry, just go to the website and apply.

[00:23:53]>> Gotcha. Julie Billy, thank you very much. And stay with us because coming up a little bit later, we're going to be talking about this land and what Hollow Construction will be doing in just a bit.

[00:26:39]How's it aloh gang? Today on high now we're in Honolulu. We're at 15 Craigside. We're going to be talking with staff members about how they're supporting Hava Kapura. Not just to make sure they enjoy life, but that they thrive in their [music] next chapter.

[00:26:57]>> [music] >> this part.

[00:27:01][music] Miss Okutani, so what did you expect your life [music] at Craigite to be like? My life started with a seed and it grows and it blossoms. Now that I'm at Craig's side, [music] I expected it to be just even killed, smooth sailing, calm, and I'm totally surprised. And I think that's a common perception [music] and sometimes a barrier for people deciding to move into a life plan community. But the Arcadia family of companies, we're intentionally working really hard to try and reshape and retell that narrative. With Craigside, [music] with Arcadia, and all of the home and community based programs that we offer, it's so much more than senior living.

[00:27:55]It's where life happens, [music] where living happens.

[00:27:58]>> And what that looks like is entirely up to you.

[00:28:02][music and singing] >> [music and singing] [music] >> What surprised you most about your experiences here at Craigside? So I never imagined what I'm into now, which is performing [music] and teaching here at Craigside. So it started with the sounds of Craigside, [music] which is a fairly large group here uh of singers and uh ukulele players and um one person that plays a guitar and I do [music] the drumming. And the second thing that presented itself was a group of of eight members now. And uh we formed a an ensemble and we sing but we also have been going out to other places. And then the third thing is the summer fun program here. My part is [music] to teach the kids uh the tao drumming. We have the age range is from 6 to 16 and they're all in one group. So I have this large uh span you know and it's fun. [music] I also teach Tao here to the residents and so we made our own.

[00:29:33]And now the last thing which is [music] very exciting and I'm teaching Tao to the healthc care center here. A new spark in my life and a new blossom [music] in my life.

[00:29:44]>> And I recall you sharing this with me.

[00:29:46]You came to my office. You said Bri, I was in my apartment the other day and I was reflecting. [music] I realized there's something changing inside me. I feel growth. I feel expansion.

[00:30:00]And I realize that I'm in another bloom.

[00:30:03]>> Yes.

[00:30:03]>> And I'm blossoming.

[00:30:05]>> Yes.

[00:30:05]>> Can you share what this experience, these experiences you've had mean personally to you?

[00:30:12]I give and share my [music] experience and mainly of Taiko and my students I receive from them so much more because of the [music] joy in their faces and they don't have to say a word but I can see it and feel it. If there is one message that you want people to take [music] away from your experience, [snorts] what would that be?

[00:30:43]>> I thought life was going to be this way when I got here.

[00:30:48]>> Well, it's a big aha that now I know life is not predictable. Live in the now and every [music] person can bloom.

[00:31:01]There is so much life, purpose, and joy [music] to be found when you embrace that opportunity and you surround yourself with a community of people who value, who see you, and care about [music] you deeply.

[00:31:17]>> Thank you, Bri.

[00:31:18]>> Love you.

[00:31:21][laughter] >> Good job.

[00:31:22]>> Thank you.

[00:31:36]So, actually, take a look behind us. Uh, welcome back over here to day one of the Native Hawaiian Convention. Uh, new this year for attendees who are coming down here to experience it, uh, to be a part of the different breakout sessions. If you actually look, everyone who is gathered during this breakout session right now has headphones on. And in addition to the headphones, the headphones have on a corresponding color. This is new technology for this year's uh attendees. And this is Rafino from the Hawaiian Council who's going to tell us a little bit more about like what is the experience like when people come down here.

[00:32:06]>> What What is this, bro?

[00:32:07]>> So, this is silence activation. They're from LA. And it's a silent disco. And what we have are these headphones that will be available for all our um attendees and they can go between different breakout sessions without bothering the moderator, without bothering the the breakout session. And it's cool because they can just change the channel to whichever um breakout session they would like to attend.

[00:32:30]>> So that so the color will then kind of correspond to the breakout session. So we're in blue right now. And what are we listening? This is Hawaiian history.

[00:32:37]>> Hawaiian history, right? Yep. And then we can move over to uh red if you >> so red. So if you go to red, that's going to be uh ola. You hit the channel here. I'm going to show you guys. You click this. Boom. It's going to switch the color.

[00:32:50]>> And right now we're already in a different breakout session. I'm hearing little pocket. He's talking about Hawaiian ghost stores.

[00:32:55]>> Exactly. And while you're listening to these ghost story sessions, you can even go down to the restroom or go to Name and go shopping all while listening to your breakout session. Now, this is so interesting like how what kind of inspired this idea especially to kind of bring in this kind of technology? I mean, I've been to convention um in years past. Is this the first time we've done this?

[00:33:17]>> This is the first time. It's because we keep growing and we don't know how many people this year we have over 2,500 attendees >> and we want to make sure that everybody has a chance to participate.

[00:33:29]>> And so doing this allows us to be able to get everybody to participate wherever they are.

[00:33:35]called into a meeting, you know, they can change the channel.

[00:33:39]>> Yeah. So, very engaging.

[00:33:42]>> Very. Can Do Can Do Can Do Can Do Can Do Can Do Can Do Can Do Can Do Can Do Can Do You Leak right now?

[00:33:44]>> Look at Leaka.

[00:33:47]>> He is telling an intense morning ghost story right now. He's captivating everyone in this audience with >> He's talking about the ghost story of this place of the Neil Blazell Center.

[00:33:56]>> Wow.

[00:33:57]>> Yeah. So, he's here providing stories about this space all on these silent discos. Oh, that's >> that's intense. And then as we step over here, we can switch.

[00:34:07]>> Y >> now we're in Omaha, which is greeno, havi, obviously, and foundation for Kanaka. So, just within um this little bit of walking we just did. That's three different breakout rooms where obviously you're getting a chance to hear from three different panels and not really disturbing um anybody while you're doing it.

[00:34:23]>> And you can talk to 2500 people all at the same time and they can engage wherever they want, whenever they want.

[00:34:30]>> Now, what's the range on something like this? We Name Havi is over there because I see people have these on. They're just like shopping around.

[00:34:37]>> You can go shopping and then you can take it to your breakout session. You can even take it all the way down to the other side of the concert hall and it'll still work.

[00:34:45]>> Yep. 10 hours of energy of battery.

[00:34:48]>> Solid. And what's really nice too, obviously, as you can see people using it, it's wireless so it's not like getting in the way or anything.

[00:34:54]>> Kapuna can come in the lounge, they can sit down, and if they want, they can switch on to number one, and they can just listen to music if they don't want to listen to any of the There's a whole different uh pop-up area featuring Native Hawaiian musicians. But actually, look, you can actually see Auntie back here. She's taking notes, listening to the session. But she's all the way back here, which is really nice. And this is so convenient for a number of different reasons. You can, if you're coming down here for a specific session, you can really queue in and go on that one. But that just makes the experience so enjoyable.

[00:35:22]>> Exactly. Yep. It makes >> kind of listening at your own pace.

[00:35:25]Yeah. Look, even back here, they're listening to the ghost stories all the way back here.

[00:35:30]>> Okay. So, as soon as people come down here, how did they get these? This is available really uh throughout the whole >> any breakout session. Uh there's tables in the front. You just pick it up and go from there. When you leave, you just drop it off at the table and we sanitize after every use.

[00:35:45]>> So, every breakout session, you'll have a clean um silent dis.

[00:35:49]>> Yeah, exactly. And I wanted to mention that part as well. As soon as people are turning them in, the entire Hawaiian council staff is over here wiping everything down, sanitizing everything, um making sure it is good to go. But again, new this year for the convention is this headphone experience which just uh makes everything so much more streamlined.

[00:36:04]>> Awesome, bro.

[00:36:05]>> Wow.

[00:36:06]>> Let's get back to it over here. Rafino, thank you so much. Stay with us on High Now Daily. We got much more coming up.

[00:36:10]Day one of the Native Hawaiian Convention. Let's go back and see Waka.

[00:36:13]Bro, that's Hey, how's it gang? We're back over here on the west side right now. We're with Billy Piper of American Savings Bank talking about the third cohort for the Houi Capili Accelerator program. So, this is cohort number three. Uh let's talk about some of the takeaways from the first two, Billy. Well, you know, it it's interesting because when you build the curriculum, [music] you don't know really the impact it's going to have. Um, I'll tell you the the company we're with today, Haloa Construction, is one of the success stories of the program. When they first came to the accelerator, they were just sort of starting off. They were, you know, they had a couple years of road behind them. They made a commitment [music] to double down on their commitment to Hawaii to live here. And they they they were open. They wanted to learn. Fast forward the tape. Now, they're a client of ours. They're doing successful [music] work. You'll hear more about this project here, but they're actually creating inventory.

[00:39:19]They are building units that families, [music] real families, are going to be moving into here early 2027. And so, we can't be prouder of the impact that they're having, not only in the business and the [music] people they're employing, but in terms of the families that they're going to help change lives for. Woo, that is awesome. Mahal Newi, Billy. Okay, that's got to feel good hearing all that. This is Ramona and Damen Lariosa of Haloa Construction.

[00:39:40]Tell us about Haloa Construction. How did this all start?

[00:39:42]>> Ooh, it's a family-owned business. My husband and I, we own the business. We have our adult children working side by side with us. Um, and it was just an idea that the kids had to do something with their dad and we decided to go into his industry and here we are. So, we are going into our fifth year now, so still pretty young.

[00:40:02]>> Right on. Congratulations. And what uh what made you want to apply for the Houi Capili program?

[00:40:06]>> Funny story. We didn't want to apply for Capili. I know, right?

[00:40:11]>> Good thing you did.

[00:40:11]>> I know. We We're so blessed by it.

[00:40:13]That's why. But in the beginning, we didn't know. We were [music] the first cohort. So, uh, we were approached by someone, which I thought it was a scam because we never heard of it, you know, and uh I'm really glad she was persistent. That was with Sid Rossa when she was with IO. Um, and then we were able to attend and >> yeah, I [music] mean, it was just an awesome experience for us.

[00:40:34]>> Uh, Damian, let's talk about the experience. Uh, what were you learning throughout that 10-week program? Well, there's a lot of um busyiness that we [music] get involved in in our company.

[00:40:43]And I think at the Houi Capili, we we work in our business, but we don't work on our business. [music] So, being able to go and take those classes and learning from, you know, from financials, from bonding, and even just even just that um community that you build with the others, I think that was a great opportunity for that.

[00:41:00]>> Uh and then what about from the business standpoint? Cuz we talk about it all the time. Obviously, construction is is the industry uh that we know really well, but oftentimes when it comes to things like financing, um employees and all that other different kind of stuff. What was that like going through that process?

[00:41:14]>> Oh, it was [music] eye opening for me. I I was a homeschooling mom prior to this.

[00:41:19]So, I had no idea what it was to run a business or even to be a part of a business. Um so understanding the needs, the capabilities, the finances, [music] like he said, the bonding and what's important. Um it really opened up my eyes and helped me to understand what was important, [music] what we needed, where we needed to go, and um how to get there.

[00:41:39]>> Damian, what is the biggest piece of help do you feel like you've received after going through this uh Houi Capili accelerator?

[00:41:45]>> Honestly, it was even outside of just the stuff that we learned, it was it was truly um hearing other problems and issues that other companies go through.

[00:41:53]So just that community that we built with others I think that that just continued to multiply as as we even with the second court believe it or not we was even with them but as we you know kind of fellowship with them we at the at the ASB we was able to build relations with them as well.

[00:42:08]>> Uh what do you recommend other construction companies apply for the program?

[00:42:11]>> Oh absolutely. This is one area that every construction company should [music] um try to tap into. um they are very resourceful. Um Huikopi has helped us to grow, has helped us to make connections [music] and that was the best thing for every result that we've been able to get.

[00:42:31]>> Right on. Congratulations Ramona Damian.

[00:42:34]Uh if for more information as well and to apply for this third cohort, go to hoie capili.com.

[00:45:12]>> [music] >> Hey, how's it aloh gang? Uh we're back over here in Y and I right now talking about the Houi Capili Accelerator program. This free 10-week course with American Savings Bank and IO coming together to really support local construction companies here in Hawaii.

[00:45:31]This is Austin Lariosa over here of Hollowa Construction. Austin, you are one of the young guns in in the cohort.

[00:45:38]Yeah. What was that like going through that process being a part of Huie Capili?

[00:45:41]>> Um I I think for me ultimately being a young company there's a lot of growing pains. There a lot of things that we need to figure out and being able to collaborate with other companies and be able to hear from what their issues are, what they go through. It's kind of comforting to know that, you know, we're all in the same boat and we can actually learn from each other's experiences.

[00:45:59]>> What was one of your biggest takeaways from the cohort?

[00:46:02]um difficulti decisions and difficult um problems will always be around and it's really about being collaborative with your team um with others that you know and working to find a solution.

[00:46:14]>> Yeah. And speaking of solutions, we're talking about uh housing solutions here in Hawaii. We talked with Billy from American Savings Bank um Julie from IO uh your parents a little bit earlier.

[00:46:23]Tell us about this land we're standing on and why it's so important.

[00:46:26]>> So this is actually Freigh's Dairy. Um, as you guys can see, there's about seven to eight lots here. We're responsible for about seven of the homes that are going to be being built. Um, it's a new project for the DHHL. We're looking at modular homes. So, as you guys can see, there's still fresh. It's still a new project. There's a lot of things that need to go on. Um, our guys right now are doing some layout stuff. Um, clearing out the site and just prepping the area for when we are ready to start putting up uh temporary protections and start doing some ground work.

[00:46:56]>> Wow. So, this is really kind of uh what the program is all about, going through learning about the building uh and then the actual building of homes. And these homes are going to be going to local people here in Hawaii who other otherwise maybe would have had to leave.

[00:47:10]Right.

[00:47:10]>> Correct. Yes. And I I think ultimately that plays right into who we are as a company [music] and being able to affect the local community and the locals is exactly where we want to be. So, we're happy. We're proud of this project and we we hope to deliver [music] a great product for the for the people of Hawaii.

[00:47:26]>> Uh how many units total? And they're all kind of already spaced out in this lot.

[00:47:30]Yeah.

[00:47:30]>> Yeah. So, they're all they all have their own lots. Um there's total of eight lots. Like I said, we'll be responsible for seven of the eight lots.

[00:47:37]Um and the homes will be modular homes.

[00:47:40]So, a little bit different than what people are used to. Modular homes are something that is prefabbed at a at a warehouse or a manufacturing site. And what [music] they do is they're going to ship those homes pre-fabricated already and we'll just land them onto a pier and it'll be pretty much ready to move in at that point.

[00:47:57]>> Awesome. Uh I wanted to ask you as well uh after going through that uh 10 weeks with Huikapily learning getting a chance to learn from people experts um who are in the industry as [music] well. Uh what are you looking to do um especially as a local company as you move forward? I mean you guys got a lot of projects happening right now. I I think for me it's really of course the homes is what a lot of people focus on but as we know as locals even our businesses hurt as well and I think for us to be able to impact all locals of local companies local families um and their businesses that they run that's really what I look forward to in the future of our company.

[00:48:34]>> Awesome bro. Hey congratulations. Uh and don't forget as well Haloa Construction [music] part of the first cohort. The third cohort is about to open as well.

[00:48:42]So, anyone who has a construction [music] company local here in Hawaii, if you want more information on how to apply, head to uh hoieapili.com.

[00:48:53][music] >> Okay, I'm ready for my interview. Tyler, >> I told you to change.

[00:49:03]>> I told you to change.

[00:49:04]>> That's because you look better than I do. Dang it. Now I got to shop. This is Tyler Gomes, Hawaiian Council. It's been a busy day one. As you can see, we're like full-blown modeling and matching right now. How's it been so far, bro?

[00:49:14]>> It's been exciting. So much shopping, amazing collabs. You've had breakout sessions. People are learning, getting together. It's been a great experience.

[00:49:21]>> Okay, let's expand a little bit on day one. Day one was a lot of cultural practitioners. Laka was on there telling ghost stories. What else is on tap?

[00:49:28]>> We've got laying. We've got an introduction to improv, giving people some chops and confidence on the stage.

[00:49:33]You're great at that.

[00:49:34]>> Hey, the camera's here. Maybe that's the next level. Okay, what else do we have?

[00:49:38]We also had mele ollie learning about history. It's all kinds of topics and that's just today.

[00:49:43]>> Uh what's uh to come tomorrow and Wednesday? Again, we're pretty much at kind of max capacity, right around 200 people registered, which is an amazing thing. But what can we expect attendee wise going forward? Tomorrow morning, we're going to kick off with a big bang, our opening ceremony coming out in style like we do. And then we've got our plenary. You'll hear from our keynote Governor Josh Green. Um, and some really important discussions around the future of tourism, what's going to happen with Hawaiian Airlines, what does gaming look like in Hawaii, and how do we make sure Hawaiians are part of the discussion no matter what happens. Uh, also in addition to that as well, uh, a big concert is going to be taking place on Wednesday and that is open to the public. Correct. That's right. You can get tickets uh on our website, hawaiiansconsil.org/convention.

[00:50:24]$25 and you can catch Mano Company, Natty Vibes, Capenna, and Honua. That is a crazy price for a crazy concert. Uh and that's tickets still available on >> tickets still available and we start at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday.

[00:50:37]>> Woo. Make sure you come on down here and check that out. Now you guys uh don't take a break because as soon as convention wraps up, we're heading right into Kiki Hula, right?

[00:50:45]>> It's going to be an intense transition, but I think we can manage it. It's actually a really big pulana and it's such an honor to be able to steward such an important cultural >> like activity and event building that in our Kiki. So, we're really really looking forward to it and that's going to take us all the way to Saturday.

[00:51:00]>> That's right. A lot to look forward to.

[00:51:02]Now, in addition to that, we're talking 25 years of convention, but for the first time in 5 years, it has come back here to Oahu. Why was this kind of an important landing spot when these conversations are happening?

[00:51:12]>> Well, traditionally, we've always done it on Oahu and taking it out of Oahu has always been really great about re-engaging communities, but the people here on Oahu, they want their shot, too.

[00:51:21]And so, it's great to bring everyone back in.

[00:51:23]>> Uh, let's talk a little bit more about the new activations as well. Namea Havi is incredible. We are walking models for the Rocket Auna Name Havi uh in Uncle Bill. But what else is happening inside here?

[00:51:33]>> Well, we have our Peggy Hopper exclusive, which is a dress that is incredible. Bringing back an iconic design. We've got art installations.

[00:51:41]We've got fragrances. Name has their own uh Hawaiian print outfit that they've come out with. And actually, all this vintage material, including all the furniture, it's all for sale.

[00:51:51]>> Oh, that's right. everything inside here. You see a carpet, you see a rug, you see a mat, you see a chair, you can buy it. There you go. There's a lot to look forward to down over here. I'm going to head inside. I need to change.

[00:52:02]Tyler looks way better than I do right now. But stay with us. We got much more coming up live from uh Blaze now exhibition hall. Aloha. You see, look how good he looks. I'm changing.

[00:52:13][laughter] Welcome back to High Now Daily. Tune in to the Honua Finals on Hawaii News Now on Friday and Saturday. It's known as the World Cup of Inner Scholastic Surfing. This event is held at Alam Moana Bowls and brings together 140 surfers from 40 high schools around the world. So for all those details, visit honuafinals.com.

[00:54:57]And as we end our show, I hear we're going to toss things back to Kynoa because I hear he has a special guest there at the convention center. Koa.

[00:55:07]>> Aloha. Thank you very much, Natalie.

[00:55:08]We're back over here and we're wrapping up today actually with someone who was my indoctrination into a lot of of the work that takes place over here in Hawaii uh with the Hawaiian Council. Uh this is my mom. She is known by many as Auntie Sugi, but I just call her mom. My mother has been down here at the convention the entire day today. Right, mom? Right.

[00:55:26]>> How's it been, Mom? Day one.

[00:55:28]>> Great. I went sat in on the coo uh session. I kissed about a thousand people.

[00:55:34]>> Awesome.

[00:55:34]>> And I saw a lot of Hawaiians I haven't seen in a long time. So, it's very important for us, everyone to be there.

[00:55:41]Hawaiians, non Hawaiians. So much education to share with everyone.

[00:55:46]>> And uh how's it been on um kind of reconnecting? You mentioned you saw a lot of old friends. Yeah.

[00:55:51]>> Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. We're still walking around, so that's a good thing.

[00:55:54]>> Yeah. Well, what do you think about the headphones, Mom? Earlier we were talking about the technology.

[00:55:58]>> Yeah. And I'm so cooly. So, the headphones were really good. They really helped me.

[00:56:03]>> I understood everything. Polo.

[00:56:05]>> Okay. And we were talking earlier, Mom, before you came down, you were coming down because you got like a scholarship with Hawaiian Council, right? How does that work?

[00:56:12]>> Scholarship. I really wanted to come and so uh my niece said, "Etie, you got to go try for the scholarship." I did. So, here's a reminder, gang. Get on it early next year. Get on it. You want to be here.

[00:56:25]>> Yes. Yes. Yes. This is where I get it from. Right over here. Okay. I want to ask you as well. Um why is it important to come down to convention to support? I learned a lot of this from you, but I I see a lot of uh younger generation over here as well. Why is coming down here being a part of these discussions important?

[00:56:38]>> Because it's our kulana. Yeah. You need to know what's going on in our community. Whether you Hawaiian, non- Hawaiian, know what's going on in your community. And this is a great place to be. Kuhillo and his staff have been wonderful.

[00:56:53]>> Awesome.

[00:56:53]>> Come on down.

[00:56:54]>> Thank you, Mom. You're wonderful. As we wrap up today over here as well, we wanted to show off um this is some of the check-ins that take place as well.

[00:57:01]Ka Lu, Nal, Aloha, a lot of differentformational resources are available. Uh don't forget, you know, their luau is incredible. Um they just got voted, I do believe, one of the top 10 uh when it comes to people coming down here on Trip Adviser and all those other different things. But as we slowly wrap up as well, um these breakout sessions are continuing over here and with this technology, you can really get a chance to see a little bit of everything. We're going to be down here for the rest of the afternoon today as well as tomorrow and on Wednesday as well. And don't forget, if you purchase a ticket to this year's convention, that also gets you in to Kika as well. I'm Ky Carlson. That'll put a wrap on it for us. We'll see you folks back here at 3 p.m.