Hub Coworking Hawaii

Hawai‘i's Best Coworking Space

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Meet our Host Team!

Impact Hub HNL has a group of dedicated hosts that work with us to greet new members and facilitate an awesome member experience. Learn more about our team here:

Lawrence Basha

Lawrence retired after a long Army career and is transitioning into something different as a second act. He is interested in organizational development, strategic planning, fitness & healthy living, and progressive politics in Hawaii.

 

Miguel Castrence

Miquel is a geospatial data scientist and managing partner at Resource Mapping Hawaii, a small, locally owned and operated company specializing in aerial imaging and geographic information solutions. He conducts research on wide range of conservation technologies for environmental monitoring over remote landscapes. His latest passion project integrates machine learning and citizen science for mapping marine debris throughout the main Hawaiian islands.

Holger Heine

Holger and his partner Suzanne started Topos Productions in 1996. We worked with clients specializing in corporate events and digital media. Today, Topos Media creates apps, websites and e-books and we help clients with marketing services.

 

Jenn Jiron

Jenn is a graphic designer, illustrator and founder of Waves in Color (a creative atelier). Waves in Color combines Jenn’s East meets West design background and focuses on conveying and creating a visual presence for a wide range of clients ranging from start-ups to established companies. The spectrum of the atelier is wide and includes: brand identity, print/product design, web design, digital projects, pattern creation, illustration and much more. Jenn’s passions include traveling, playing the guitar and helping out in the community.

Joe Heaukulani

Joe describes himself as a Random Citizen helping to transform Hawaii’s communities through enhanced engagement and enduring empowerment. My passions are Technology and Farming, and I am currently skill-building in Amazon Web Services, Machine Learning, Mobile Development, and a small dash of video production on the side.

Ruby Menon

“I have been a host and part of the Hub movement ever since we opened up our doors at the old ProtoHub location on Keawe St. In my day job, I am the Product Manager for a local tech startup, JamBios. In my company, BrainSmart HR, I work with social impact entrepreneurs to provide product design consulting using a behavioral science approach. I also teach Design Your Life by Creating New Habits classes at the Hub. A few years ago, I implemented an Inmate Art project called CARE that works with incarcerated women artists at WCCC. The CARE project promotes and sells their art and craft products so they can earn money for their transition back to the community. I am still involved in this social enterprise project and am always looking for opportunities to promote these talented women’s art work.

Danyale Thomas Ross

Danyale is Founder and Head Instigator in Charge and Mindset Practitioner at InstigateHer™. Her weekly podcast, InstigateHer™ features curated content of women thought leaders and self-help experts while delivering a message in just minutes. Danyale leads the Honolulu WomanSpeak circle, which can be best described as Toastmasters for conscious women a guided process that helps a woman discover her unique story and explores ways to be more fully expressed in the world for herself and her community. Through hosting various themed in person woman-centric events and spaces she encourages women to become a more sovereign version of themself.

Suzanne Savet

My background is in marketing, sales, meeting planning and special event management. My partner Holger and I started Topos Productions in 1996. Today, Topos Media creates apps, websites and e-books and we help clients with marketing services.

My interests include writing; travel; art; photography; film; music; food & wine; and sports, especially, golf, tennis and Formula One racing. As a pastime, I admit to spending too much time online watching hilarious animal (dog, cat) and healthy cooking videos.

Kat Uyemura

“I would be flattering myself if I called myself a Renaissance woman. But, I humbly wish to be an eternal student. I’ve always loved the study of the humanities, arts, literature and music. Anatomy and the fascinating human body has always interested me. I’m a yoga momma who loves travel, hiking, running and anything health related. I also have a great respect and curiosity for technological advances. However, though I believe that it’s integral to advance our society and world, I think what each person yearns for is the beauty of art and culture to transcend us to higher connections to each other, love and spirituality.” Kat says she can be found in any book store.

 

Member Spotlight: Jeffrey Eliasen

Today we’re sharing another member spotlight for one of our long-time members, Jeff Eliasen. You’ve probably seen his smiling face (and bare feet) around the space. Next time you see him be sure to say hello and ask him to chat about coding, technology, puzzles, and/or anything related to pirates.

Jeff is a software engineer, working remotely for companies on the mainland. He’s been ‘enamored’ with computers since he was a little kid, and learned to program before his tenth birthday. He’s passionate about algorithms and data structures, and loves solving data problems. His career choice was easy. He says, “It just seemed natural to spend every day solving problems for pay.” Hard to disagree with that!

I asked him a few questions about how someone new could get into coding. He says that if someone wanted to become a developer or get started with coding, it’s a good idea to start with a coding bootcamp (which didn’t exist when he was learning programming), and determine if you like the kinds of work necessary to complete the course. He also recommends seriously considering a degree in Computer Science or Mathematics if you want to do data work (analysis, machine learning, etc.), or maybe a degree in Design if you want to design and build websites or other digital applications.

Some of the largest changes in the coding world are the availability of powerful tools to people of all skill levels. He believes this democratizes data analysis, e-commerce, and communications (and many other areas). He says that in the next few years we’ll likely see a lot of ‘pulling back the curtains on monolithic business and government entities’ and probably upsetting the current power structure.

In addition to his own coding work, Jeff is a co-founder of the group PyHawaii, the local Python meetup (to be clear, it’s about website coding, not snakes). Python is one of the most-used coding languages in the world right now and is very easy to learn. The meetings typically involve a lesson at a beginner level, a lesson at an intermediate or advanced level, and solving a puzzle as a group to learn problem-solving skills. The group meets the first and third Wednesday of every month and he encourages new and experienced Python users to join!

Jeff loves working at Impact Hub HNL because it’s well-situated around restaurants, coffee shops, and a theater, because it’s near the mall but not so close that traffic is an issue, and (most importantly, we think) because it’s filled with people that make him excited to come to the “office” every day.

Thanks, Jeff, for your time and energy! We’re excited to see you at the office everyday, too!

Indie Lens Pop-Up at Impact Hub HNL

In partnership with Hub member organization Hawai’i Women in Filmmaking, we are pleased to announce that we’ll be hosting the 2018-2019 season for the Indie Lens Pop-Up series. All of these film events are free and open to the public.

This is the seventh year Hawaii Women in Filmmaking has been a partner for Indie Lens pop-up, and a first for us as a host space.

HWF explains that the Indie Lens Pop-Up series is “a neighborhood screening series that brings people together for community-driven conversations around documentaries from the award-winning PBS series, Independent Lens on PBS Hawaiʻi. Over the past decade, nearly 6,500 Indie Lens Pop-Up events have brought an estimated 370,000 participants together to discuss issues that impact local communities.”

Learn more about Indie Lens Pop Up in this short video here:

The 2018-2019 film series covers a range of timely topics from around the nation, and we look forward to being a community partner along with Hawai’i Women in Filmmaking, Hawai’i People’s Fund and PBS Hawai’i. All films will be held at Impact Hub HNL, 1050 Queen St. Suite #100, from 5pm to 7pm on dates listed below.

Indie Lens Pop-Up 2018-2019 Films and Schedule

Dawnland | By Adam Mazo and Ben Pender-Cudlip

Date & Time: Wednesday October 24, 2018 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm

Dawnland tells the story of the first government-sanctioned truth and reconciliation commission in the U.S., investigating the devastating impact of Maine’s child welfare practices on Native American communities. With intimate access to this groundbreaking process, the film reveals the untold narrative of Indigenous child removal in the United States.

Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World | By Catherine Bainbridge and Alfonso Maiorana

Date & Time: Wednesday January 16, 2019 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm

Rumble brings to light a profound and missing chapter in the history of American music: the Indigenous influence. Featuring music icons Charley Patton, Mildred Bailey, Link Wray, Jimi Hendrix, Jesse Ed Davis, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Robbie Robertson, Randy Castillo, and Taboo, Rumble shows how these pioneering Native musicians helped shape the soundtracks of our lives.

The Providers | By Laura Green and Anna Moot-Levin

Date & Time: Wednesday March 13, 2019 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm

Set against the backdrop of the physician shortage and opioid epidemic in rural America, The Providers follows three “country doctors” in New Mexico at clinics offering care to all, regardless of ability to pay. As their personal struggles at times reflect those of their patients, the providers work to reach rural Americans who would otherwise be left without healthcare.

Charm City | By Marilyn Ness

Date & Time: Wednesday April 10, 2019 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm

Filmed during three years of unparalleled violence in Baltimore, Charm City delivers a powerfully candid portrait of those on the frontlines. With grit, fury, and compassion, a group of police, citizens, community leaders, and government officials grapple with the consequences of violence and try to reclaim their city’s future.

Wrestle | By Suzannah Herbert and Lauren Belfer

Date & Time: Wednesday May 8, 2019 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm

Wrestle is an intimate, inspiring coming of age portrait of the wrestling team at a struggling high school in Huntsville, Alabama. As they fight towards the State Championship, wrestlers Jailen, Jamario, Teague, and Jaquan face injustices and challenges on and off the mat, grappling with obstacles that jeopardize their success, while their coach wades into the complexities of class and race in the South.

Share your Thoughts! Please Take our Member Survey!

Did you know that Impact Hub HNL has been open for a full year? Time flies when you’re having fun, right?!

Some of our members have been with us since the beginning, and new members are joining nearly everyday. Wherever you fall on that spectrum, we would love to hear your thoughts about your experience here at IHH. What do you love? What could use some improvement? What else could we offer to make your day better?


We are grateful that you are part of our community and are excited to hear what you have to say. Please take just a few minutes to fill out our quick Google Form here →

Impact Hub HNL Co-Founder George Yarbrough Selected as Omidyar Fellow

We are pleased to share that our very own George Yarbrough has been selected as a member of the sixth cohort of Omidyar Fellows. The cohort is comprised of cross-sector leaders and change makers who were selected through a rigorous application and selection process.

George Yarbrough is an entrepreneur dedicated to Impact Hub Honolulu and Laulea Engineering. Both companies strive to make a better Hawaii. His responsibilities for both include operations, marketing, strategic business development, network and business development, and getting done what needs to be done. His mission for Impact Hub Honolulu is to create a safe place where innovation, collaboration, and growth can happen for all sectors. George’s mission for Laulea Engineering is excel the level in which Hawaii treats and disposes its wastewater. His past professional experience is tied to the public health sector. First, he was with Operation Smile, a global charity that gives free surgeries to those who suffer with cleft lip and cleft palates. George started as a global coordinator and then moved into managing the Africa and Middle East programs. He then moved into the medical team response research field working with the US Department of Defense Center at the Center for Excellence. He graduated from the University of British Columbia with a focus on economic geography and a minor in economics.

The Omidyar Fellows program seeks to cultivate the conditions in which Hawaii thrives by equipping mid-career leaders with the skills and cross-sector relationships necessary to collectively affect societal change. Throughout the initial 15 months of structured curriculum, which begins in October 2018, Cohort VI Fellows participate in a monthly session, executive coaching, conversations with community, business, and government leaders, and more. Following this, the cohort becomes fully engaged in the Forum of Fellows, an active network of currently 70 leaders and change makers, all of whom are dedicated to making positive movement on Hawaii’s most pressing issues. For more about George Yarbrough and the Omidyar Fellows, please check their website: Omidyar Fellows.

 

ImpactART: Last Known Locations with Lauren Hana Chai

On April 26, 2018, Impact Hub HNL hosted the first ImpactART event featuring mixed-media artist Lauren Hana Chai. This event was hosted in partnership with Honolulu Biennial Foundation.

Meeta Vu, of Impact Hub HNL, introducing Lauren Hana Chai

Last Known Locations was inspired by the true story of Chai’s mother, who went missing when Chai was only 11 years old. Chai, now 27, has created a collection of vibrant paintings and drawings in a variety of sizes, including a mural, here at Impact Hub HNL.

Many of the pieces reflect Chai’s healing process as she worked through emotions of losing her mother. Other works are focused on North Korea. Says Chai, “As a Korean American, I’m largely inspired by Korean folk art and history as well as the clash of East and West, old and new. I am super grateful to be the first ImpactART featured artist and beyond excited to see the continued development of Impact Hub bringing together community and many more art shows to come!”

Attendees check out some of the North Korean focused art at Last Known Locations

Last Known Locations offered an interactive art experience for guests, encouraging connection among the attendees. Upon arrival, each attendee was given half of a notecard with an image and a story; each image had a match in the crowd, and when put together, told the story of various pieces in the show.

All of the pieces from the show are on display and for sale at Impact Hub until May 26. Hours are Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm. To view the exhibit, check in with our Host at the front desk.

What is ImpactART?

ImpactART supports Hawaii’s artists by creating an equal exchange of artwork for studio and exhibition space. Co-created by Impact Hub HNL and Honolulu Biennial Foundation in 2017 to address the need for art studios and the proper valuation of artists’ work, ImpactART will trade space, materials and a gallery show within the Impact Hub for artwork.

Anne Weber, Impact Hub HNL Community Manager, explains, “The idea for ImpactART was inspired by our commitment to creating community impact. When we opened in August 2017, we had huge blank walls and wanted to figure out a way to beautify the space, support local up and coming artists, inspire a new audience of art lovers, and show the business community how they too can support local arts in a creative way. It is a win-win.”

To inquire about art space or to learn more about Impact Hub HNL, email us.

Jeff Hawe and Chai, in front of her mural Melting Pot on permanent display at Impact Hub HNL

What is the Honolulu Biennial Foundation?

The Honolulu Biennial Foundation (HBF) supports the local arts infrastructure with a global outreach by presenting the Honolulu Biennial event. The launch of Honolulu Biennial marks Hawaii’s first entry into the international biennial circuit. Honolulu Biennial will focus on art from the Pacific, the Asian continent, and the Americas.

Throughout the year, HBF serves the local community by presenting educational outreach programs, in addition to its between biennial festival programming initiative, Visions of the Future.

A few of Chai’s Last Known Locations paintings
More of Chai’s paintings from the show