Kuleana Academy Weekend 2 and 3: Building Skills, People Power, and Connection
We kicked off Weekend 2 at Hawai‘i Coworking with an opening circle, then dove right into Media & Messaging Part I with Dawn Morais Webster, Ph.D. Dawn guided us through the art of communicating values, connecting with audiences, and framing issues in ways that inspire action. Her workshop challenged us to sharpen our own advocacy voices while staying grounded in truth and empathy.
After lunch, we shifted into a Power Analysis & The Long Game session with Anne Frederick, Executive Director of HAPA. Anne’s training helped us understand the structural forces at play in Hawai‘i politics and how to build lasting movements, not just short-term wins.
The day closed with photos, speech practice, and a quick change before heading to the evening event — a special screening of Dear Aloha at BoxJelly. This award-winning short documentary by Cris Romento offered a heartfelt look into the Hawaiian diaspora in the Pacific Northwest, exploring how aloha sustains Kānaka far from home. Following the film, an engaging panel discussion with Romento, Noelani Ahia (Maui Medics Healers Hui), Noelani Sagapoulete (Wai Collective), and Keoni Defranco (Purple Mai’a) touched on themes of displacement, resilience, and community care.
Day two began with a powerhouse panel from the Maui Housing Hui: Nara Boone, Co-Founder, Jordan Hocker, Outreach and Education Coordinator and Jade Moreno, Principal Researcher and Policy Analyst.
They shared updates on Maui’s housing crisis and grassroots efforts to ensure housing remains accessible for local families.
The afternoon was led by Aria Juliet Castillo, HAPA’s Reclaiming Democracy Program Director, for a deep dive into District Analysis & Redistricting. This interactive session helped participants identify where their advocacy and organizing could make the greatest impact in Hawai‘i’s shifting political map.
Weekend 3 opened with hands-on Speech Practice led by former State Senator Gary Hooser, giving participants space to refine their delivery, presence, and persuasive power.
The afternoon featured an Economic Justice Panel with Nicole Woo of the Hawai‘i Children’s Action Network, who unpacked data and policy ideas to address economic inequality in Hawai‘i.
Closing the day, Eric Gill, Senior Vice President at UNITE HERE Local 5, spoke on the history and importance of labor organizing in Hawai‘i. His stories grounded the conversation in decades of worker-led victories that continue to shape our economy today.
The next day, Former Kaua‘i County Councilmember Mason Chock returned to lead Leadership Practice Inventory Part II, helping participants assess and strengthen their leadership styles.
After a quick bento lunch, we walked to Thomas Square to join in Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea, honoring the restoration of Hawaiian sovereignty. Immersing ourselves in this historic commemoration connected our political work to the broader legacy of self-determination.
The weekend closed with Fern Holland, Kaua‘i County Councilmember, sharing her journey into local government and her approach to responsive, community-driven leadership.
Learn about Cohort 8’s Participants here.
ABOUT KULEANA ACADEMY
Kuleana Academy identifies 20-25 rising leaders per cohort throughout the archipelago and provides them with in-depth political leadership training. Participants run for elected office, manage political campaigns, and deepen their community organizing and engagement. By attending Kuleana Academy, individuals are given the opportunity to do the following:
Examine their own political and civic kuleana
Develop skills in leadership, community organizing, communications, and advocacy
Attend campaign skills training sessions conducted by professional trainers
Develop an understanding of how to effectively engage around a range of important community issues through policy education sessions led by our Alliance Education Partners
Kuleana Academy has graduated over 120 participants and has alumni currently serving in the Hawai‘i State House of Representatives, on the Kaua‘i County Council, Maui County Council, Hawaii Island County Council, and Honolulu City and County Council, and on various O‘ahu Neighborhood Boards. For more information, please visit hapahi.org/kuleana-academy-program.
HAPA’s Kuleana Academy is a non-partisan educational program. HAPA will not…
Endorse any political candidates for public office.
Make any campaign contributions (monetary or in-kind).
Ask candidates to sign pledges on any issues.
Friends of HAPA at the opening reception for Kuleana Academy's Cohort 8, PC: Nick Armero
