Chamber of Commerce Hawaii

Coffee Talks Presented by Navian Hawaii: Leading with Aloha

Chamber of Commerce Hawaii’s Events unite the business community to enhance the state’s economic climate by fostering success for businesses and business leaders alike. Attend or sponsor a Chamber event to promote your company, build brand awareness, market to your target demographics, expand your network and invest in your local community.

📈 Lead with heart, build with trust—explore how the values of aloha can create a stronger, more resilient workplace. 📈

Get ready to kickstart your mornings with Coffee Talks seminar series presented by Navian Hawaii, designed to elevate your business expertise and expand your professional network.

Wherever you are in your business career, Coffee Talks offers something for everyone. Fuel your ambition, deepen your knowledge, and connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion for success.

Join us on Thursday, September 24, from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM for an engaging and insightful professional development session exploring how leaders can inspire trust, strengthen relationships and create positive impact by embracing the values of respect, empathy and service.

Learn from featured speakers, Ku’ulani Keohokalole, Founder & CEO of People Strategies Hawaiʻi, Manasseh Santos, Director of Hawaiian Trades Academy, Hawaiian Council, moderated by Mea Spady, Executive Director of The Kūpaʻa Network, as they discuss how leading with aloha fosters collaboration, resilience and a people-first culture in today’s workplace.

Whether you're a seasoned business owner or just starting out, Coffee Talks offers something for everyone. Fuel your ambition, deepen your knowledge, and connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion for success.

Registration includes coffee and pastries from 1132 Cafe.

Featured Speakers:

Ku’ulani Keohokalole
Founder & CEO
People Strategies Hawaiʻi

Kuʻulani Keohokalole (she/her/ʻo ia) established People Strategies Hawaiʻi in 2019 with the vision of growing the capacity of organizations to foster community-minded and people oriented leaders. She trains, consults, and supports organizations across sectors and industries who are looking to transform around the ways they engage people to achieve their mission. Kuʻulani was grounded in the traditional Native Hawaiian cultural practice of ho`oponopono by her grandmother, who was a community-based practitioner. The art of reconciliation, and making things right, guides her approach to facilitation and consultation with organizations, stemming from the belief that clients hold the answers to their own challenges, that who shows up and how they show up matters, and that waiting for the moment is key.

Kuʻulani received the distinctions of Pacific Business News’s “40 Under 40” in 2020 and Hawaiʻi Business Magazine’s “20 People To Watch for the Next 20 Years” in 2023. She is a sought-after speaker on topics of diversity, equity and inclusion, Hawaiian & indigenous values, organizational culture and leadership, and psychological safety in the workplace. Past speaking engagements have included clients such as Amazon, Microsoft, New York University, Georgetown University, the East-West Center and the YWCA.

Kuʻulani holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Ethnic Studies and Women’s Studies from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mā̄noa, a Master's of Arts degree in Education Leadership, Politics and Advocacy from New York University, and an Executive Certificate in Organizational Consulting & Change Leadership from Georgetown University

Manasseh Santos
Director
Hawaiian Trades Academy, Hawaiian Council

Manasseh "Nass" Santos was born and raised in Wailau, Kahaluʻu, Oʻahu, where his ʻohana has stewarded the ʻāina for seven generations. After earning his B.S. in Sports Management from Grand Canyon University, Nass spent four years working as an intelligence analyst in California. Upon returning home to Oʻahu, he joined the Hawaiian Council to pursue a long-held passion in creating a meaningful impact for Hawaiʻi. As Director of the Hawaiian Trades Academy, Nass focuses on building workforce development pathways that uplift Lāhui and generate economic empowerment for Hawaiʻi households. Deeply committed to service, his work centers on expanding access to training, certifications, and career opportunities across the pae ʻāina. Descending from a long line of lawaiʻa, Nass enjoys fishing and preparing iʻa for friends and ʻohana in his leisure. Raised by his tūtūwahine, he carries forward the values instilled in him and understands his kuleana to be a kiaʻi of the ʻāina and kai of Wailau, passing this ʻike on to future generations.

Moderated By:

Mea Spady
Executive Director
The Kūpaʻa Network

Mea was born and raised on Oʻahu and attended the University of Hawaiʻi. She started volunteering in the community when she was nine years old and has served nonprofits locally, nationally, and internationally with a focus on human rights for over 20 years. As the Executive Director of The Kūpaʻa Network, she leads a values-based nonprofit that focuses on solutions centering the people and places of Hawai'i.

Enter your email address below to receive a reminder message.

Please complete the Captcha

Event Sponsors

Date and Time

Thursday Sep 24, 2026
8:30 AM - 10:30 AM HST

8:30 - 9:00 AM: Registration
9:00 - 10:00 AM: Program
10:00 - 10:30 AM: Networking

Location

Central Pacific Bank
Oceans 20 Conference Room

Parking: Not included in registration. Parking available at Alii Place on Alakea Street.
1099 Alakea St., Ste. 2440, Honolulu, HI 96813. $3 flat rate for 2-hours.

1450 Ala Moana Blvd. Honolulu HI 96814

Fees/Admission

Chamber & YP Member Rate: $15
Non-Member Rate: $30

Walk-In Chamber & YP Member Rate: $25
Walk-In Non-Member Rate: $40

Cancellation policy for non-members:
5 days or more prior to event full refund
2-4 days before event 50% refund
0-1 day before event no refund

In consideration for participating as a guest in any Chamber of Commerce Hawaii event, I agree to hold the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii harmless and release it from any liability arising from any lost, missing stolen or damaged personal property at any of its events. Please keep all personal property under observation or secured.

This event is being photographed and videoed. By entering, you agree to the use of recordings of you in connection with editorial, promotional, and/or advertising materials relating to this event or our other events in any media. Please inform our photographer if you do not want your image used in this manner.