Meet Ku’ulani of People Strategies
Hawaii LLc
Understanding workplace challenges
If you have never had a challenging boss or working situation, then you are extremely lucky (Or lying! Just kidding—stoked for you!). If you’re like the many of us, however, you’ve experienced your fair share of challenging work environments, difficulties with organizational strategies, and feelings of maybe even being held back by management.
Ku’ulani M. Keohokalole is no stranger to workplace challenges, which is why she decided to start her own business in February 2019. Super Bowl Sunday, to be exact. While her family was busy watching football, Ku’ulani was busy getting her LLC and GE licenses, creating what is now People Strategies Hawaii LLC.
She is a power-house of experience in organizational development, consulting, leadership, and facilitation. She was an honoree in the 2020 Pacific Business News “40 Under 40,” and she is passionate about advocacy and positive change for communities through organizational development.
Ku’ulani M. Keohokalole is no stranger to workplace challenges, which is why she decided to start her own business in February 2019. Super Bowl Sunday, to be exact. While her family was busy watching football, Ku’ulani was busy getting her LLC and GE licenses, creating what is now People Strategies Hawaii LLC.
She is a power-house of experience in organizational development, consulting, leadership, and facilitation. She was an honoree in the 2020 Pacific Business News “40 Under 40,” and she is passionate about advocacy and positive change for communities through organizational development.
A lifelong mission of creating solutions
All her life, Ku’ulani has felt a desire to help people and make a difference. Both her mother and grandmother were social workers who taught Ku’ulani from a young age that we all have the power to effect change. When Ku’ulani first started working, it was doing community outreach for different non-profits. It was during a complete overhaul of a business that she fell in love with the role of helping people to embrace and understand change.
Ku’ulani’s mission is to help in the development of strong leaders and bosses and help be the solution to creating more positive leadership. Ku’ulani saw the effect that workplaces had on people’s health and well-being. She’d experienced enough environments herself to see the value in constructive and motivational workplaces. And, with her core belief in enacting positive change, she decided to start her own business. Because really, millions of us spend most of our time at the office. Working with leaders to create supportive and synergistic work environments, it seemed to Ku’ulani, was a powerful way to impact an array of people.
When Ku’ulani first opened, one of the greatest challenges was discovering which projects and clients would be best aligned with her strategies so she could be the most helpful and effective. Now, as she rounds out a year of running People Strategies LLC, Ku’ulani sees so many worlds of possibilities in organizational development that she’s excited to keep exploring and sharing.
Ku’ulani’s mission is to help in the development of strong leaders and bosses and help be the solution to creating more positive leadership. Ku’ulani saw the effect that workplaces had on people’s health and well-being. She’d experienced enough environments herself to see the value in constructive and motivational workplaces. And, with her core belief in enacting positive change, she decided to start her own business. Because really, millions of us spend most of our time at the office. Working with leaders to create supportive and synergistic work environments, it seemed to Ku’ulani, was a powerful way to impact an array of people.
When Ku’ulani first opened, one of the greatest challenges was discovering which projects and clients would be best aligned with her strategies so she could be the most helpful and effective. Now, as she rounds out a year of running People Strategies LLC, Ku’ulani sees so many worlds of possibilities in organizational development that she’s excited to keep exploring and sharing.
online support during shelter-in-place
To support others during Covid-19, Ku’ulani has been providing free webinars online and staying connected with her current clients through tele-work, which is opening up new possibilities for sharing organizational development tools and strategies with an even larger audience. In the future, she’d love to offer her strategies to an even wider range of business industries to help business leaders, CEOs, and companies cultivate their workers to their highest potential.
At the heart of it, People Strategies LLC is a local business deeply invested in creating positive changes for Hawaii workforces. She credits her success to great mentors, working in Hawaii organizations herself, and a deep knowledge of Hawaii culture.
At the heart of it, People Strategies LLC is a local business deeply invested in creating positive changes for Hawaii workforces. She credits her success to great mentors, working in Hawaii organizations herself, and a deep knowledge of Hawaii culture.
Always about the people
Although Covid-19 has meant Ku’ulani can’t do in-person work for the time being, that’s one of the initial steps she normally takes to learn about a business.
She’ll spend a whole day interacting with the team, finding out what needs and desires people have, developing goals and plans for how to foster the most effective work environment for empowering, cultivating, and motivating Hawaii’s workforce. People Strategies Hawaii LLC is about just that—the people—who are foundational to Hawaii business, and empowering leaders and employees one local business at a time.
Learn more about Ku’ulani and join her free webinars on Facebook by clicking the links below.
She’ll spend a whole day interacting with the team, finding out what needs and desires people have, developing goals and plans for how to foster the most effective work environment for empowering, cultivating, and motivating Hawaii’s workforce. People Strategies Hawaii LLC is about just that—the people—who are foundational to Hawaii business, and empowering leaders and employees one local business at a time.
Learn more about Ku’ulani and join her free webinars on Facebook by clicking the links below.
View the website |
join a webinar |
Eco-Tourism, Monk Seals, and Kittie Travel
Meet keiko!
In today’s feature, meet Keiko, owner of Kittie Travel and advocate for Hawaiian Monk Seals.
The tourism industry is a complex topic for many businesses and locals. Oftentimes, we see tourism functioning to exploit Hawaii’s resources and disregard Hawaii’s environment—many of us have seen the videos of a tourist bothering Monk Seals
Keiko’s Monk Seal tours are NOTHING like that. Everything about her mission is towards education, engagement, protection, and love for the islands, beaches, and animals in it. She keeps her tours very small, abides by strict NOAA and Hawaii Marine Animal Response (HMAR) guidelines, and makes the hikes out to see the seals into beach clean-ups along the way.
The tourism industry is a complex topic for many businesses and locals. Oftentimes, we see tourism functioning to exploit Hawaii’s resources and disregard Hawaii’s environment—many of us have seen the videos of a tourist bothering Monk Seals
Keiko’s Monk Seal tours are NOTHING like that. Everything about her mission is towards education, engagement, protection, and love for the islands, beaches, and animals in it. She keeps her tours very small, abides by strict NOAA and Hawaii Marine Animal Response (HMAR) guidelines, and makes the hikes out to see the seals into beach clean-ups along the way.
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a love of travel and a passion for animalsWhen Keiko started out as a travel agent, she already had a passion for traveling. Hawaii had always called to her. So, 4 years ago, after working for 10 years as a home-based travel agent in Salt Lake City, Utah, she moved to Oahu.
Keiko met her first Monk Seal and she instantly fell in love. She walks the beaches often, and you’ll find her Instagram full of photos of Monk Seals—she tracks their lives, babies, and journeys, working with HMAR to support their research—and pictures of her adorable cats. |
While Keiko has taken honeymooners from Boston, New York, and other East Coast locations on her tours, she also wants to bring Japanese tourists—her business is focused on raising awareness for as many people in as many places as possible. Keiko sees the damage that is being done to our oceans, and she believes that preserving our shores and animals. She has a Hawaii State Professional Tour Guide’s license as well, so she teaches people about history and can offer other tours. Her favorite, however, will always be her Monk Seal tours.
Small and respectful tours
Keiko brings tours of 10 people or less on hikes that can be as long as 3 hours one-way, bringing everyone along to pick up trash and debris they find along the way. For groups that may have difficulties with such a long journey, she also does tours right in the Waikiki aquarium.
Her overarching mission is to protect and preserve the ocean and its ecosystem through education, awareness, and connecting tourists to the beauty (and powerful need to protect) the island.
When we talked on Zoom, the travel industry had completely shut down for Keiko, so she started a blog about the monk seals, writing posts about her tours until they are able to resume. She’s also working on creating virtual tours to see how that could be a part of advocacy and joy for people interested in learning more about Hawaii preservation.
Her overarching mission is to protect and preserve the ocean and its ecosystem through education, awareness, and connecting tourists to the beauty (and powerful need to protect) the island.
When we talked on Zoom, the travel industry had completely shut down for Keiko, so she started a blog about the monk seals, writing posts about her tours until they are able to resume. She’s also working on creating virtual tours to see how that could be a part of advocacy and joy for people interested in learning more about Hawaii preservation.
Love, Seals, and a lifetime of learning
The insanely adorable monk seals you'll see on Keiko's tour are tracked by HMAR and Keiko, so when you go on a tour you're participating in scientific research!
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The tourism industry gets a bad reputation, but Keiko’s tours exhibit a different kind of tourism—one centered around connecting people to the land and sea to show them the importance of protecting, respecting, and advocating for it—that’s what separates Keiko’s tours from others out there. Many tours don’t have as in-depth knowledge of Monk Seal behaviors, location patterns, and how to properly view and respect them—Keiko is not one of those tours.
If you’re looking to learn more about Monk Seals from a studied advocate, check out her website and Facebook Page. Maybe even take a tour when they resume! Because even those of us born and raised here could always stand to learn more about our awesome island. Plus, is a coastal hike with a beach clean-up included ever really a bad idea? |
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Stay connected, read the blog, and sign up for a virtual or in-person tour (when permitted again):
https://www.monksealtourbykittie.info/ |
COMMUNITY BUILDING AT IT'S FINEST: MONKEYPOD JAM IN KAUAI
Ten-Year ANNIVERSARY DURING A CRISIS
At the time of this interview, Monkeypod Jam was about to celebrate their 10-year anniversary. Although that milestone is a major accomplishment, Aletha and her team weren’t focusing on that when we talked story. Instead, they were focusing on how to give back to their Kauai community during Shelter-in-Place orders—a mission they have never lost sight of since the beginning. When Shelter-in-Place orders began, they knew they would have to close their recently opened bistro, re-think their sales, and get creative to support the business and community.
Monkeypod Jam: Committed to Kauai
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Monkeypod Jam is a locally owned and operated Kauai preserving company that also offers gourmet treats and delicious coffees in their bistro. They currently work with over 50 different Kauai farmers to create their specialty jams, jellies, preserves, pickles, marmalades, bistro offerings, and more. Plus, you’ll find them at Kauai farmers markets around the island throughout each week.
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Aletha currently has 5 employees, all whom have been integral to her success all these years. She, her team, and the network of Kauai farmers make up this awesome business. As Aletha says, “If it’s not grown here, we just don’t make it,” speaks to the level of commitment to her farmers and the land that Aletha has.
How Monkeypod Jam Began
When Aletha moved to Kauai 22 years ago, it was for a teaching job. She thought she would only be there for a year. Now, she’s built an entire network and community on Kauai—it’s her home. Aletha came from a family of preservers—think garages filled to bursting with jars of pickles and jam—so when the 2008 recession happened, it only felt natural for her to start her own preserving business. From the start, it was a hit: she brought mango jam to a farmers market and saw instantly that this was her niche.
Building Relationships and Connections
One of the biggest challenges Aletha faced in the beginning was building trust. Farmers are often stiffed on payments after produce is obtained, or people don’t buy as much as they say they will, crops get wasted, and all their work can sometimes go for nothing. Aletha knew farmers were wary of buyers, and for good reason. For the first 2 years she was in business, Aletha bought everything every farmer brought her, no questions asked, and preserved, pickled, or made it into something delicious.
Since then, Kauai farmers know they can count on Monkeypod Jam to not only support their businesses, but to work together with them to be stewards of the land. Monkeypod jam takes all the off-grades (fruits that are too ugly for markets but perfectly usable and tasty) and uses them in tons of different jellies and recipes, supporting the environment and reducing waste.
Since then, Kauai farmers know they can count on Monkeypod Jam to not only support their businesses, but to work together with them to be stewards of the land. Monkeypod jam takes all the off-grades (fruits that are too ugly for markets but perfectly usable and tasty) and uses them in tons of different jellies and recipes, supporting the environment and reducing waste.
The Challenges of Covid-19
Before Covid-19, Monkeypod Jam was looking like it would have one of its best years thus far. Their bistro was jammin’, and their online store was seeing tons of orders. Their store was doing very well, too. They have a loyal following and a committed community built around the business. That’s why, when Shelter-in-Place orders began and many businesses closed, Aletha and her team changed their bistro into a pick-up location for CSA boxes filled with produce from local farmers, and offered delicious take-home meals made in-house.
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CSA Boxes, Local Farmers, and a Broken Website
When they first launched, offering CSA boxes with Glory Farm, they got so many requests that it literally broke their website! They rushed to repair it and quickly resumed CSA services.
When Aletha and I spoke, we were going into week 4 of quarantine, and they were consistently selling 100 CSA boxes per week! They added other farmers, such as pineapples and lettuce and more. And, of course, they offer their jams and preserves in addition to the delicious produce. |
Sincerity, Honesty, and Stewardship
There are other companies that market as local, but some of them buy their produce from international places, ship them in, and then brand them misleadingly—Monkeypod Jam will never do that. Everything about their business is about lifting up the entire community, helping each other, and revitalizing the Hawaii Agricultural System. When things return to relatively back to normal, Aletha’s next mission is to grow foods in their own micro-farms around the bistro, and start doing farm tours to teach people about the value of local agriculture.
Creativity and Perseverance
Despite having to close, Monkeypod Jam, like many businesses, has been coming up with creative and innovative ways to not only keep their business going, but to support the entire community of businesses and people around them as well. Keep up with everything they’re doing by following their Instagram, and order yourself some goodies from their online store! And when you have that perfect bite, you can know that it was grown, and never flown, right here in our island home.
Check out the website: https://monkeypodjam.com
Give them a follow: https://www.instagram.com/monkeypodjam/
And keep up with their Facebook!: https://www.facebook.com/monkeypodjam/
Give them a follow: https://www.instagram.com/monkeypodjam/
And keep up with their Facebook!: https://www.facebook.com/monkeypodjam/
Next up: An angel's Creations
How Angel’s Creations BeganAngel of An Angel’s Creations is no stranger to being a local business owner. Before she started her jewelry business, she operated and ran a house-cleaning business in Hawaii.
Having started her own business from the ground up with a house cleaning business she ran predominantly on her own (unless you consider the support and encouragement of her steadfast husband), Angel has always know what it takes to be an independent business owner. |
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After many years of running her house-cleaning business, she decided to mix things up in November 2019. Thus was born “An Angel’s Creations”, her line of custom and one-of-a-kind jewelry, earrings, dangles, and other creations (keep an eye out—her next projects include ankle bracelets).
Seeing a Jewelry Need
When Angel first started making and selling her jewelry, she saw a lack of golf jewelry specifically. One of her first events was a MidPac Thanksgiving Golf Tournament, where she sold out of everything! Besides all her other jewelry, she offers a wide range of golf bracelets, golf-themed dangles and necklaces, zipper dangles, and more, all geared towards golfers.
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Sharing BeautyHer passion has always been making jewelry and making beautiful things to brighten people’s spirits and hearts. Specifically, she saw a lack of items available for the golf jewelry industry, and she felt deeply drawn to that. She currently makes custom golf bracelets, dangles, and zips for golf bags, along with remarkable lava rock pieces which compliment a variety of occasions.
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Jewelry and Gift-Giving
Angel loves the idea of her jewelry as gifts. Whether for upcoming Mother’s Day and Graduations, birthdays or any other celebrations, her pieces speak to a variety of celebratory occasions. She feels deeply for all the high-school and college students who won’t be graduating in real life this year, and has already made several pieces for parents who want to give their children something to commemorate such an important occasion.
Where there’s a Day there’s a Gift
Whether you’re a parent looking to commemorate graduation, a husband celebrating an anniversary, and child giving a Mother’s Day gift, or just a friend wanting to brighten up someone’s day, Angel’s Creations has something for you. She’s constantly creating new designs and exploring different mediums. Her latest passion is for cultured sea-glass pieces, designed with leather or chain as necklaces. More than anything, Angel loves seeing her jewelry worn by those who love it.
Custom Creations by Angel
Don’t see exactly what you want on her site or in her collection? Angel even offers customized jewelry—simply pick some favorite colors, jewels, and charms, and she’ll bring your vision to life for that special someone. Learning about new trends, styles, and designs has never been easier for Angel now. She’s constantly sharing ideas with her family, finding new inspiration from her family and social media more than ever for her art.
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Focusing Online During CovidBesides being amazed by her 87-year-old mom learning how to use Zoom so the whole family can stay connected during shelter-in-place, Angel is continuing to add inventory to her online store and taking orders through her website. She individually wraps every piece 3 times over to ensure sanitation and safety protocols are followed during the pandemic.
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Once shelter-in-place orders end, you can be sure you’ll be seeing Angel’s stunning jewelry around in craft fairs around the Windward side! For now though, head to her website and place your online orders for any occasion. Plus, she’s offering awesome Mother’s Day Specials on her website—head over to learn more.
Visit: An Angel's Creations
Visit: An Angel's Creations
OUR FIRST FEATURE: KAUAI ESCAPE ROOM
MEET Michelle and Yacine!
In 2015, Michelle and Yacine tried their first breakout room puzzle. At that time, breakout rooms and escape rooms hadn’t gained the popularity and ubiquity they possess today. Yacine and Michelle, however, were instantly hooked on the concept: a thoughtfully crafted world which combined puzzle-solving, adventure, team-work, and tenacity was right up their alley.
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After doing some research and assessing their own abilities—Yacine has a background in coding, game development, and writing, while Michelle has specialized in psychology, theater, and videography—they decided to open their own Escape Room right in Lihue, Kauai. That was over 4 years ago. At the beginning, as with any local business, getting people interested proved to be a bit challenging, but once Kauai families, teens, tourists, and young adults gave it a try, they too, became hooked on the thrill of escape rooms.
NOT YOUR AVERAGE ESCAPE ROOMS
These escape rooms, mind you, are not simply re-constructed puzzle rooms. Michelle painstakingly designs fake rock walls by hand, shaping them from foam similar to that used for surfboards, shaping each one, and painting them. Yacine handles the larger carpentry elements, while Michelle captures the tiny details that truly transport the players. Between them, they’ve created 10 games over the past 4 years, including an archaeological dig tent set in the 30’s, a sacrificial temple, and cursed Hawaiian tiki lounge.
Escape Rooms and Their Complexities
Their elaborate games require serious work, a lot of thought, and a willingness to start over when puzzles that seemed perfect on paper fall flat in the beta tests. That’s what sets their escape rooms apart, though—an unwillingness to compromise on the experience of the player. Because, for Yacine and Michelle, that’s what makes a truly spectacular escape room.
A New Medium of Storytelling
When done well, an escape room is “a brand new medium of story-telling and being in the present” and “if done well, it creates a whole new world—hours fly by and you’re fully immersed”, they love sharing this experience with the entire community.
This local business engages with their community in a wide range of ways. Last Halloween, they started an online game for families, which was so popular that they translated it into a 6-business escape room adventure for local families. They also provide discounts for a wide range of groups such as non-profits who go to their escape rooms.
This local business engages with their community in a wide range of ways. Last Halloween, they started an online game for families, which was so popular that they translated it into a 6-business escape room adventure for local families. They also provide discounts for a wide range of groups such as non-profits who go to their escape rooms.
A Commitment to Creativity
What separates them from other breakout rooms is their passion, attention to detail, and their research—they’ve played over 100 escape rooms around the world to hone their own building and puzzle-creating skills. They prioritize the experience above all else—they won’t allow players into a game until it’s up to their incredibly high standards. Which is why, when the Covid-19 hit and they had to shut their doors, they decided to use this time to ramp up production on their next big project—an online subscription box that brings escape room adventure around the world, to anyone and everyone.
A Virtual Platform for Players Around the World
The Society of Curiosities combines clues, treasure-hunting, adventure, and world-building all into an elaborate adventure, one of the first of many they plan to devise online. Although it’s a stressful time for Yacine and Michelle—they don’t have work for their awesome employees and themselves, and there’s uncertainty for so many, this new project of theirs is keeping their spirits up.
They’re focusing on everything to come, and remaining hopeful during this time. They attribute getting more social with family and friends online, having a dog, staying focused on their new project, and focusing on what is within their control to their positivity during Covid-19 shelter-in-place orders.
Check out their amazing breakout rooms and keep up to date on the Society of Curiosities, and follow Michelle and Yacine’s local business adventures by clicking on the links below!
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Instagram:
@kauaiescaperoom @societyofcuriosities |