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"He kāpili manu no ka uka o ʻŌlaʻa he pipili mamau i ka ua nui"
A birdwatching gum of the upland of ʻŌlaʻa that sticks and holds fast in the pouring rain
WHO WE ARE
We are a family-owned Native Hawaiian consultancy working with clients across the state of Hawaiʻi and beyond who are seeking culturally-responsive brand management & program development that will honor & uplift stories of place, harness talent & resources, and build meaningful & sustainable impact.
what we do
1. We connect people to place
2. We develop authentic branding
3. We ground in Hawaiian principles
4. We support fund development
Our moʻolelo
Our name ʻŌlaʻa Consulting stems from the district and community in which we live and serve. The renowned ʻŌlaʻa beauty, once found in abundance in our area, is depicted in our logo and holds layers of symbolism for our purpose.
The nanioʻōlaʻa (ʻŌlaʻa beauty) is thought to be a hybrid between a Native violet flower and garden flower introduced by Westerners to the Hawaiian islands in the 1800s. This is symbolic of the role that we strive to play by effectively navigating and striking a pono or righteous balance of both the indigenous and western worlds in order to position our clients for success.
Historically, native horseback riders or paniolo would venture up into the mountains of Puna from Hilo. They would gather the nanioʻōlaʻa flowers in the spring and summer time and braid them in a lei poepoe style to be adorned on their pāpale or hats. Upon their arrival back to Hilo, onlookers would see the violet-colored leis and could easily recognize that the riders were returning from the uplands of ʻŌlaʻa. Captured in this moʻolelo is the symbolism of what we hope to give our clients – their own lei ʻōlaʻa, or signature representation of their brand identity that is authentic to place, proudly adorned, and undoubtedly recognized.
Our ʻohana
Our expertise is rooted in our deep-seated aloha for ka pae ʻāina o Hawaiʻi, indigenous values, and community building. Our team consists of co-founders Paoakalani and Kawika Shook who collaborate and curate resources with other reputable leaders and advisors across the state of Hawaiʻi.
Makuahine: Paoakalani A.M. Shook
Co-Founder/Project & Brand Manager
Paoakalani Shook was born and raised in Mililani, Oʻahu and was a 2011 graduate of Kamehameha Schools Kapālama. She earned a B.A., in Government with a Minor in Ethnicity, Migration Rights (EMR) from Harvard University in Cambridge, MA in 2015. She received her M.S.Ed (Masters of Science in Education) from Johns Hopkins University in 2017. She possesses 8+ years of professional experience in Leadership Development, Education, & Project Management. She currently serves as the Manager of Regional Team Initiatives for Teach for America Hawaiʻi and Co-Chair of the Hawaiʻi Island Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Committee. Paoakalani is a lifelong hula practitioner and now dances for Hālau Nāwehiokaipoaloha.
Makuakāne: Kawika L. Shook
Co-Founder/Cultural Curator & Grant Writer
Kawika was born and raised in Kāneohe, Oʻahu and was a 2006 graduate of Kamehameha Schools Kapālama. He earned a B.A., in Psychology from New Mexico State University. His M.P.A. (Master of Public Administration) is from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa where he also received his certificate in Nonprofit Management from the College of Social Sciences in 2017. Kawika also holds certifications from Hawaiʻi Community College in Advanced Grant Writing & Consulting. He possesses 10+ years of professional experience in Hawaiian Cultural Preservation, Non-Profit Management, & Land Stewardship.
Our Services
1
Indigenous Storytelling & Curatorship
We believe in the power of indigenous values, thinking, and stewardship to solve local and global issues of the 21st century. Hawaiian principles possess over 2,000 years of wisdom that is primed for the edification of collective and holistic beliefs which consider the connection between human and environment to be sacred.
Through ethnohistorical research of your ʻāina and curation of moʻolelo, we develop authentic storytelling and branding of your organization allowing you and your stakeholders to connect deeply to place. Like the birdwatching gum of the upland of ʻŌlaʻa, your story will stick and captivate your audience in a way that is genuine and timeless.
2
People & Program Development
Your story that you share with your stakeholders and the world is always evolving and requires thoughtful navigation. Therefore, grounding your people and programming to this newfound brand identity is key.
Through workshops and coaching founded upon Hawaiian principles and practices, we equip your team with the tools to effectively embody a deepened sense of belonging and stewardship. While simultaneously engaging key personnel, we help extend that seam through development of programming and services. Like the lei ʻōlaʻa, your end product becomes a treasured adornment worn proudly by your people and effortlessly recognized for its unique allurement.
3
Grant Writing & Management
Many for-profit and non-profit organizations in Hawaiʻi are doing sought-after and meaningful work - however, successful funding of your program or project lies in the painstaking details and influential storytelling of your moʻolelo.
We support your program and organizational vision through grant writing and request for proposal services. From filing IRS 501(c)3 applications to providing grant evaluation and management support - we partner with you to see your funding goals come to life. Like the kia manu of ʻŌlaʻa that snares the prized feathers, it is through preparation, experience, and alignment to opportunities that your goals will be achieved.
