Summary - SOCIAL INNOVATION SUMMIT LEARNING JOURNEY: HAWAII

Learning Journeys are an immersive experience to explore a specific social impact issue through the lens of a city for an invitation-only delegation of 30-40 visiting corporate impact and philanthropy leaders.

We collaborate with local program hosts to design a journey that is comprised of about 10-15 stops throughout the city, which typically include a combination of meet-and-greets with local leaders, company and field site visits, social events, and unique experiences.

Most of the delegation joins from out-of-town, and among the many objectives we hope that delegates will learn lessons along the way that they can bring back to their home regions and communities.

The Honolulu Learning Journey offers a unique opportunity to explore how Indigenous wisdom, cultural stewardship, and community-led innovation are shaping solutions to some of society's most pressing challenges. Through the lens of Hawaiʻi’s communities, participants will discover how local leaders are advancing new approaches to youth opportunity, workforce development, economic mobility, education, health, technology, environmental stewardship, and community resilience.

Hosted in partnership with the Liliʻuokalani Trust on October 13-15, the experience will highlight how Native Hawaiian values and place-based leadership are informing systems-level solutions that strengthen families, communities, and future generations through immersive site visits, candid conversations, and collaborative learning experiences.

More than a learning experience, the journey is designed to spark meaningful relationships, new ideas, and future collaborations. Participants will leave with practical insights and fresh perspectives that can inform their own work while gaining a deeper appreciation for Hawai’i's leadership in advancing community wellbeing, opportunity, and resilience.

A conversation with Stanford Carr will give us an inside look at one of Hawaiʻi's most ambitious long-term development projects: the transformation of the Aloha Stadium site into a new mixed-use district anchored by the future home of University of Hawaiʻi football. Spanning nearly 100 acres and unfolding over decades, the project raises important questions about how major public-private investments can strengthen communities while balancing housing, transportation, economic opportunity, resilience, and responsible stewardship of place. We’ll explore what it means to plan infrastructure not just for today, but for generations – and how leaders can approach development at this scale in a way that creates lasting public and community value.

A visit to Kupu, including a panel discussion with local leaders, will give us a hands-on look at how environmental stewardship, workforce development, and youth empowerment can work together to strengthen communities across Hawai‘i. We will explore innovative conservation and green jobs programs that connect young people to purpose, leadership, and cultural values while learning how Kupu blends service-learning, sustainability, and mālama ʻāina – caring for the land – to create long-term social and environmental impact.

A visit to Purple Maiʻa Foundation will give us an inspiring look at how technology, culture, and community empowerment can intersect to create more inclusive futures. We will explore programs advancing digital literacy, AI readiness, entrepreneurship, and culturally grounded STEM education for Native Hawaiian and local communities, while learning how Purple Maiʻa uses innovation, storytelling, and identity-centered learning to expand economic opportunity and strengthen community resilience across Hawai'i.

A curated lunch and roundtable experience with Hawaiʻi business leaders will give us the opportunity to engage directly with local voices shaping the state’s economic future. Through facilitated breakout discussions, we will explore topics including sustainable tourism, workforce development, Native Hawaiian entrepreneurship, climate resilience, technology, and community investment while building authentic connections and exchanging ideas grounded in collaboration, innovation, and shared impact.