ʻŌiwi Leadership Accelerator Application

ʻŌiwi Leadership Accelerator Cohort 3 Application

The ʻŌLA Cohort 3 application deadline has been extended! You now have until October 31, 2025 at 11:59 PM HST to apply.
Welina Mai!

Mahalo for your interest in the ʻŌiwi Leadership Accelerator (ʻŌLA). We are excited that you are considering joining Cohort 3 and investing in your leadership journey.

The ʻŌiwi Leadership Accelerator is a six-month place-based leadership development program that elevates Hawaiʻi-centric and ʻŌiwi-driven leadership within our local workforce. Through experiential workshops, community learning, and the guidance of trusted facilitators and peers, ʻŌLA helps participants deepen their leadership capacity, strengthen cross-community relationships, and cultivate the skills needed to navigate today’s challenges.

Over the course of the program, ʻŌLA participants learn directly from influential ʻŌiwi leaders, executives, and changemakers while becoming part of a growing community. This transformational experience brings together leaders from a wide range of industries, including nonprofits and community organizations, education, business, and public service, all united by a shared commitment to Hawaiʻi’s future.

We look forward to hearing your unique leadership journey and the values that guide your work.
Before you begin
As you start your application, we invite you to approach this process as an opportunity for self-reflection. While AI tools may be useful in organizing your ideas, our evaluators need to hear from you directly. Take the time to craft your responses thoughtfully and thoroughly. We want to hear your voice, shaped by the values and unique experiences that have guided your leadership journey.

You will be able to save and return to your application at any time, however we strongly encourage you to save your progress often, as we are unable to move incomplete applications forward. Many applicants find it helpful to draft their responses in a separate document and then paste them into the application form once complete.

ʻŌLA is a six-month program with an average commitment of 10-15 hours each month. Please be sure you are able to honor this commitment before applying.
Program Commitment
- This is a 6-month program running January – June 2026.
- Sessions are once per month, in person, and participants should plan to commit to a full day except for the kickoff session, which will be an overnight 1.5 day experience.
- Attendance and active participation are essential to the ʻŌLA experience.
- Participation cost is $4,400. Please see our FAQ’s page for details on available scholarship and split payment plan options.
Application Timeline
- Applications Open: Friday, August 29, 2025
- Application Deadline: Monday, October 31, 2025 11:59pm HST
- Program Dates (all sessions held in-person):
  - Session 1: Friday, January 23, 2026 – Leading Self: Unearthing Layers of our Identity Thru Kinolau
  - Session 2: Friday, February 20, 2026 – Leading in Community: Wayfinding
  - Session 3: Friday, March 27, 2026 – Leading Self: Huakaʻi of the Ecological Self
  - Session 4: Friday, April 17, 2026 – Leading Others: Kuleana as a Change Catalyst
  - Session 5: Friday, May 22, 2026 – Leading Others: Facilitation & Influence
  - Session 6: Friday, June 12, 2026 – Leading in Community: Conflict Resolution & Resilience
  - ʻŌLA Hōʻike Graduation: Friday, June 19, 2026
Applicant Information
Full Name*

First NameLast Name
Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState

Zip Code
Phone Number*

Area CodePhone Number
E-mail*
Organization*
Role/Position*
Are you Native Hawaiian?*
Were you raised in Hawaiʻi?*
Mahalo for your interest. At this time, applicants must meet this requirement to continue.

Application Reflection Questions

Word limits will be included to encourage thoughtful responses. *Indicate required fields.
Why is this the right time for you to explore the ʻŌiwi Leadership Accelerator program? What is your hua, and/or your driving reason, for applying?* (max 250 words)*

0/250
What does leadership mean to you, in the context of Hawaiʻi?* (max 250 words)*

0/250
What is a challenge or opportunity you are currently navigating as a leader, and how might ʻŌLA support you in your wayfinding?* (max 300 words)*

0/300
What questions, if any, do you have about the program at this time? (optional)

0/250

Scholarship Update

Although the ʻŌLA Scholarship Application is now closed, we understand that financial considerations may impact your ability to participate. We encourage you to apply regardless, and to share openly if cost may be a barrier. Our team is committed to ensuring that this opportunity remains accessible to all emerging ʻŌʻiwi and kamaʻāina leaders. We are willing to work with you to explore options that may align with your needs and budget.
Would financial considerations affect your ability to participate?” *
Mahalo nui for sharing your response with us. Please know that your response will be treated with care and confidentiality, and will only be used to help us understand your needs as we strive to provide support.
The following section is for applicants whose employers are not able to support them with/help to subsidize the full costs of tuition. Limited scholarships are available for participants whose employers do not have a dedicated professional development budget or whose budget for 2026 has been exhausted. Payment plans, including split tuition between employer-employee may be arranged. If this situation applies to you/your employer, and you would like to be considered for a scholarship, please proceed by selecting "yes". If this does not apply to you, please select "No" from the dropdown menu to be redirected to the next part of the application.*

Why would receiving this scholarship provide you with an opportunity that would otherwise be financially inaccessible?* (max 300 words)*

0/300
How do you plan to maximize this gift, should it be awarded, in a way that supports your leadership journey and service to community?* (max 300 words)*

0/300
Is there anything else you would like us to know about your financial need or circumstances? (optional) (max 300 words)

0/300
Upload Application Materials

*Should any part of your application be missing or incomplete, someone from the ʻŌLA team will contact you. We ask that you respond promptly so your application may be finalized before the submission deadline of October 13th. Mahalo nui for your kōkua.
Bio (max 200 words)*

0/200
Letter of Support (from a supervisor, mentor, or community partner who can speak to your leadership journey and commitment)*

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Headshot (high-resolution, professional or community setting)*

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Final Acknowledgements
I affirm:*

That the information I have provided is accurate to the best of my knowledge.This application reflects my authentic voice and experiences.I understand the time and financial commitment of the ʻŌiwi Leadership Accelerator and affirm my kuleana if I am selected as a participant of the ʻŌLA program.
Signature*

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ʻŌiwi Leadership Accelerator Cohort 3 Application

Before you begin

Program Commitment

Application Timeline

Applicant Information

Application Reflection Questions

Scholarship Update

Upload Application Materials

Final Acknowledgements