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We are dedicated to reshaping the narrative of the Native Hawaiian community by leveraging our Native Hawaiian Organization status to drive economic empowerment, cultural preservation, and educational opportunities, ensuring sustainable growth and pono (righteousness) for future generations through impactful federal partnerships and community reinvestment.
[ About ]■
Ho’omana Kahua is a Native Hawaiian-owned organization dedicated to fostering economic self-determination and cultural revitalization within the Native Hawaiian community. Drawing from the Hawaiian concept of *ho‘omana*—meaning "to empower" or "to make spiritual power"—and *kahua* (foundation), it serves as a foundational program for micro and small business owners, blending traditional Hawaiian values like aloha, mālama (care), and pono (righteousness) with modern business strategies. Launched in 2024, it addresses systemic barriers faced by Native Hawaiians, such as limited access to capital and education, by providing accessible resources to build a sustainable comunity.
As a fully Native Hawaiian-owned entity, Ho’omana Kahua leverages its cultural authenticity, the Small Business Administration (SBA), and local community ties to amplify its impact. This status enables prioritized partnerships with Hawaiian organizations (e.g., the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce), access to culturally aligned funding, and trust-based engagement that resonates deeply with participants. By centering Native voices in curriculum design, it creates safe spaces for knowledge-sharing rooted in ancestral wisdom, reducing the cultural disconnect often found in mainstream programs.
Ultimately, Ho’omana Kahua empowers and educates its community through cohort-based workshops on branding, marketing, and financial planning; one-on-one mentorship; and values-driven networking events. These tools not only equip local Hawaiian entrepreneurs to scale their businesses and events, but also instills a legacy of reciprocity—encouraging participants to reinvest in lāhui (the Hawaiian nation) through job creation, cultural preservation projects, and community upliftment. In this way, it transforms individual success into collective resilience, honoring the Native Hawaiian spirit of thriving together.
Hoe waʻa :
Collective strength through community
Ronald Daniels
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Founder of the Board
Ronald Kalani Daniels is a seasoned leader with over two decades of experience in business ownership, management, and government contracting, deeply rooted in his Native Hawaiian heritage. As a visionary entrepreneur and cultural steward, he integrates traditional Hawaiian values with modern business practices to drive sustainable growth and community empowerment.
Ronald’s extensive experience in government contracting spans over a two decades, including his role as Director of Software Development and Transition at C4 Solutions on Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, from 2002 to 2012. There, he led critical efforts to secure, test, and migrate legacy naval software to ONENet, integrating multiple naval networks into a unified, secure environment for enhanced national security. His roles as a Software Engineer with Eleu Pacific and HI-50 Services further honed his expertise in developing and maintaining software solutions for the Department of Defense, ensuring secure and reliable communications.
In financial services, Ronald excels as a Producing Licensed Agent at Premier Financial Alliance since 2021, where he designs personalized insurance plans that prioritize community awareness and economic stability for Native Hawaiian families. As a small business owner he has employed over 100 local members of his community.
Serving as a Mamo of the Royal Order of Kamehameha since 2015, Ronald is committed to preserving Hawaiian culture, language, and legacy. Through his initiative, Ho’omana Kahua, he drives innovation to uplift Native Hawaiian communities by creating jobs and educational opportunities. His community involvement includes active participation in Maui Food Bank and Maui County Fair events, reinforcing his dedication to cultural and social impact.
Laki Kaʻahumanu
Board Member
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Laki Pomaikaʻi Kaʻahumanu is a direct lineal descendant of Queen Kaʻahumanu, the Kuhina Nui who helped shape the modern Hawaiian Kingdom. In formal recognition of his lifelong contributions to faith, public safety, cultural preservation, and community healing, the Hawaiʻi State House of Representatives officially proclaimed “Laki Pomaikaʻi Kaʻahumanu Day” statewide—an honor rarely bestowed.
A Native Hawaiian leader raised in the traditions of his ancestors, Laki carries forward the queen’s legacy of visionary leadership and service to the lāhui.
For more than 35 years, Laki has served as senior pastor, district overseer, and prison chaplain while founding and leading Lahaina Crime Watch, which dramatically reduced crime in West Maui through innovative community partnerships with law enforcement.
Today, as founder of Maui Royalty Weddings, he designs and officiates authentic, royal-protocol ceremonies that incorporate oli, hula kahiko, and blessings rooted in his direct lineage, serving over 100 couples each year.
Fluent in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi and a member of the Royal Order of Kamehameha I, Laki remains a vital voice in Lahaina’s cultural restoration and rebuilding efforts following the 2023 wildfire, bridging ancestral wisdom with contemporary aloha for the next generation.
John Daniel Sullivan
Board Member
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J.D. Sullivan is a proven leader, entrepreneur, and veteran with over two decades of experience spanning military service and the private sector. Born in San Diego and raised in Ramona, California, J.D. graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and went on to serve as a Surface Warfare Officer in the U.S. Navy from 2000 to 2007.
During his active duty, he held key operational leadership roles, contributing to disaster relief efforts and supporting critical missions in the Global War on Terrorism and Operation Iraqi Freedom. J.D. remained in the U.S. Navy Reserve until 2014, continuing to serve in operational capacities.
Following his active-duty service, J.D. transitioned into the commercial defense industry, holding senior roles in program management and business development. His leadership and process improvement skills helped streamline operations and deliver mission-critical projects, including naval weapons systems. J.D.’s expertise extended to international business as a liaison with Italian defense firms, drawing upon his fluency in Italian and deep cultural understanding gained from his time in the Personnel Exchange Program with the Italian Navy. As a first-generation American on his mother’s side, whose family immigrated from Italy, J.D. brings a unique perspective to cultural values, international relations and defense collaboration.
In 2010, J.D. co-founded Dynamic Integrated Services (DIS), a professional services firm focused on information technology and management consulting for federal agencies. As CEO, he leads the firm’s growth, establishing DIS as a trusted partner in providing technical and consulting services. In parallel, J.D. co-founded and served as Co-President of the Washington, D.C., chapter of the National Veterans Small Business Coalition (NVSBC) from 2011 to 2022, advocating for veteran-owned businesses.
J.D. holds an MBA from Virginia Tech's Pamplin College of Business and a Bachelor of Science in History from the U.S. Naval Academy. He also completed Italian studies at the Defense Language Institute, graduating with high merits.
Empowering our people
“In the Native Hawaiian worldview, kalo (taro) is not merely food—it is the earthly body of Hāloa, the elder brother of our people. The corm buried in the loʻi feeds the nation and gives strength to the warrior; the wide hā (leaves) shield and nurture the next generation. So too does true education for Kānaka Maoli: it must be planted deep in our ʻāina and ʻike kupuna, watered by aloha ʻāina, and rooted in our genealogy. When we lift our children on the sturdy hā of our culture and language, we give them both nourishment and power—the power to stand tall, to lead, and to feed the lāhui for generations to come. Kalo is education. Kalo is mana.” ~ Laki Pomaikaʻi Kaʻahumanu, direct descendant of Queen Kaʻahumanu.