We’ve never heard of a Hawaiian Strategy Studio either…
…but we felt Hawai‘i needed one. DTL (detail) is a multidisciplinary studio that helps businesses, governments, organizations, and communities navigate change. Our unique approach, moves clients from where they are to where they need to be.
We’ve built a respected reputation within our community as a creative interpreter of culture through planning and design. Our deep understanding and knowledge of Hawai‘i’s sensibilities and sensitivities has resulted in successfully facilitating dialogs, bridging perspectives and developing appropriate collaborative solutions to both challenging issues and exciting opportunities within our community.
OUR CLIENTS
KŌKUA
DTL is committed to our community and culture and giving back through in-kind kōkua. 20 percent of our time is spent providing in-kind kōkua to support projects, non-profits and causes that champion the community and culture.
Our process + services
We frame our practice within a Hawaiian sense of place, because to know a place is to know its environment, its people, and its culture across time. Place sits at the intersection of Hawai‘i’s past and future, the physical and the cultural. Understanding it gives way to opportunities, obstacles, and points of convergence. We know that with each client, the best way forward is a matter of orientation — where you come from, where you are, and where you’re going. If strategy is a process of repositioning, we believe that success requires the alignment of a client’s genealogy, journey, stories and values.
OUR PROCESS IS CENTERED IN OUR CULTURAL METHODOLOGY
GENEALOGY
We begin every project as close as we can get to its source, and through cultural and historical research, we trace its lineage, origin to outcome.
STORIES
Navigation is both science and art, and we bring a diverse network of expertise to ensure the utilization of both. Listening to the stories of a place and its people shows you the way forward.
JOURNEYS
From visuals and messaging to presentation and promotion, we deliver the story of a future that you and your stakeholders tell together.
VALUES
We help you know your values so you can better share them through what you create. Hawai‘i is a complex place to do business, and in order to embrace change, you must know why you excel.
OUR SERVICES
STRATEGY
Positioning
Training
Coaching
Executive Placement
Entitlements
PLANNING
Community Engagement
Cultural Integration
Placemaking
Events
Cultural Programming
DESIGN
Branding
Graphic Design
Content Development
Web/Mobile Development
Environmental Graphics
COMMUNICATIONS
Public Relations
Crisis Management
Media Relations & Training
Social Media
Translations
STRATEGIC PARTNERS
Featured Work
Let’s Talk Story
725 Kapi‘olani Blvd, 4th Floor
Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96813
(808) 593-3048
@dtlhawaii
Help us wish a Hauʻoli Lā Hānau to Michelle, our executive assistant at DTL 🎉 Her aloha and positive impact on our team is like a lei pīkake, sweet, fragrant with generosity, and longlasting!
#dtl #dtlhawaii #strategy #planning #branding #communications #design #culture #community #hawaii #hauolilahanau #dtlbirthdays
Robin has been designing for DTL for over 7 years! Her artistry brings our client’s messaging to life from concept to publish ✨
#dtl #dtlhawaii #strategy #planning #branding #communications #design #culture #community #hawaii
Native Hawaiian plants played an integral role in the daily lives of our kūpuna, serving as essential resources for food, healing, construction, and cultural traditions. April was designated as #NativeHawaiianPlantMonth, dedicated to promoting their conservation, honoring their cultural significance, and fostering a deeper appreciation for their vital role within our ecosystems.
Nowadays, it’s a privilege to own a house or land with resources to have plants growing freely. With this in mind, there are a few Native Hawaiian plants that you can grow indoors in the safety of your living space.
Subscribe to our newsletter at dtlstudio.com for more information about these plants, as well as, resources and places to purchase native plants around our islands.
#dtl #dtlhawaii #strategy #planning #branding #communications #design #culture #community #hawaii
Inviting local residents into all spaces and including them in conversations encourages the community to return and participate.
This is why we started a strategy studio - to help companies do their best work in Hawaiʻi. We`re here to help businesses integrate the community they are impacting, and celebrate Hawaiian culture in every space at every time.
#dtl #dtlhawaii #strategy #planning #branding #communications #design #culture #community #hawaii
April is #FinancialLiteracyMonth dedicated to promoting the importance of financial education, and empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their finances.
Hawaiian Community Assets (HCA) is a resource here in our islands that has developed culturally relevant programs and initiatives specifically tailored to the needs of Native Hawaiian communities. They offer financial counseling, income support, career coaching, debt consolidation, and savings planning to help individuals and families take control of their finances and achieve their goals.
As Native Hawaiians and kamaʻāina themselves, HCA understands the difficulties of living and thriving in Hawaiʻi. They aim to create a safe space for clients to share their stories, and want to help ʻohana build wealth that can be passed onto future generations.
Enroll online at hawaiiancommunity.net, and get access to free classes, training courses, and workshops. You can also visit one of HCA`s offices located in Anahola, Kauaʻi; Līhuʻe, Kauaʻi; Hilo, Hawaiʻi; Honolulu, Oʻahu; and Wailuku, Maui.
#HawaiianCommunityAssets #HCA #HawaiiHomeowner #Homeownership #HomeBuyers #FinancialEducation #KahuaWaiwai #HawaiianCommunityAssets #FinancialEducation
#DTLProjectHighlight ~ Revered by our kūpuna as Oʻahu`s geographic and spiritual piko (center), Kūkaniloko, nestled in Wahiawā, stands as one of Hawai‘i`s most sacred sites. Here, generations of aliʻi (chiefs) were born upon the birthstones and consecrated in the presence of the highest-ranking aliʻi, imbuing the site with profound mana (power). The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is the latest in a succession of kiaʻi (caretakers), and through their efforts, Kūkaniloko has been shielded from abuse, mismanagement, and neglect.
The development of the Kūkaniloko Master Plan for the 511 parcel was developed to preserve the stones and explore agricultural options to contribute to Hawaiʻi`s food self-sufficiency. Engaging with Hawai‘i`s unique human, environmental, and cultural landscape, DTL collaborated as part of a team in the planning and engagement process. Despite its length and challenges, this project proved immensely rewarding for our team.
#dtl #dtlhawaii #strategy #planning #branding #communications #design #culture #community #hawaii #kukaniloko #birthstones
Meet Daniel Nguyen, one of our interns at DTL!
With an interest in marketing and a drive to learn, Daniel has assisted in elevating our marketing efforts and has helped to drive our success 🌟 We’re excited to have him on our team.
#dtl #dtlhawaii #strategy #planning #branding #communications #design #culture #community #hawaii #intern
#ManaWahineWednesday ~ Isabella Aiona Abbott received her Ph.D. in botany from the University of California in 1950, becoming the first Native Hawaiian woman to receive a Ph.D. in science. She became a research associate and lecturer at the Hopkins Marine Station and compiled a book on marine algae on the California coast. She was awarded the Darkbaker Prize by the Botanical Society of America in 1969.
She later moved back to Hawaiʻi and was considered the world`s leading expert of limu (seaweed), earning the nickname “First Lady of Limu” after she discovered over 200 species, a few of which were named after her.
Haunani Kane is another incredible scientist who integrates her heritage as a Native Hawaiian woman with her expertise as a geologist to explore the effects of climate change on islands and their inhabitants. She serves as the chair of the Hilo-based nonprofit Multiscale Environmental Graphical Analysis (MEGA) lab, and is the assistant professor in the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Hawaiʻi Mānoa.
Her groundbreaking research on climate change and coastal erosion recently earned recognition from the 2023 Grist 50 Fixers in the Science and Energy category, acknowledging her as one of 50 leaders driving positive change.
#dtl #dtlhawaii #strategy #planning #branding #communications #design #culture #community #hawaii #womenshistorymonth #nativehawaiianwomen #indigenouswomen #manawahine #isabellaaiona #haunanikane
Hauʻoli Lā Hānau e Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole. Prince Kūhiō was born on March 26, 1871 in Kōloa, Kauaʻi and was hānai (adopted) at a young age by his aunt and uncle, Queen Kapʻiolani and King David Kalākaua. By the age of 13, he was given the title of Prince.
In 1902, Prince Kūhiō joined the Republican Party, serving as a non-voting delegate from Hawaiʻi to the House of Representatives in Congress. Kūhiō became the only member of Congress born into royalty, and he held this position until his death in 1922.
Prince Kūhiō accomplished many things including introducing the Hawaiʻi Statehood Act in 1919 and the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1921, as well as, founded the Hawaiian Civic Club in 1918 and re-organized the Royal Order of Kamehameha I. He also established the Makapu‘u Point Lighthouse, the Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, and the building of a hospital in Kalaupapa on Molokaʻi.
Prince Kūhiō Day is observed each year on March 26 to honor his life and legacy and his service to his people.
#dtl #dtlhawaii #strategy #planning #branding #communications #culture #community #design #aloha #alohalahanau #hauolilahanau #princekuhio #kuhio #kuhiokalanianaole
Join Ka Makana Aliʻi for a celebration of Prince Kūhiō`s life and legacy in honor of his birthday!
Ka Makana Ali`i will be hosting their second annual Prince Kūhiō Lei Contest on March 24th, judged by Master Lei Maker Bill Char.
Winners will be announced on Prince Kūhiō Day, March 26th, along with performances by Hālau Hula ʻO Hokulani and the Prince Kūhiō Living History Play, written by Victoria Nalani Kneubuhl and produced by the Hawai`i Pono`ī Coalition.
We hope to see you there! 💜
#dtl #dtlhawaii #strategy #planning #branding #communications #design #culture #community #hawaii #princekuhio #princekuhioday #kamakanaalii
#ManaWahineWednesday ~ Haunani-Kay Trask, a lifelong scholar and activist, emerged as a bold pioneer in the Hawaiian sovereignty movement. As a founding member of Ka Lāhui Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi’s largest sovereignty organization, she addressed issues of Native Hawaiian rights, institutional racism, gender discrimination, and more through her outspoken speeches and writings.
Pua Case continues this legacy of aloha ʻāina through her work. Pua has spent many years teaching middle school social studies, focusing on Hawaiian history, to share Hawaiian culture and customs. She has been a lifelong advocate committed to keeping Native Hawaiian customs and language alive. She holds positions on multiple educational and cultural boards.
Pua leads as the Coordinator of Mauna Kea Education and Awareness. Her goal is to enlighten and expand the understanding of communities in Hawaiʻi and beyond regarding the spiritual, historical, cultural, environmental, and political importance of Mauna Kea.
#dtl #dtlhawaii #strategy #planning #branding #communications #design #culture #community #hawaii #womenshistorymonth #womensupportingwomen #womenempowerment #nativehawaiianwomen #indigenouswomen #manawahine #wahine #haunanikaytrask #puacase
Meet Caleb Rivera, one of our interns at DTL!
With a passion for Hawaiian culture and communities and a growing background in psychology, Caleb brings a unique skill set to our projects focused on community engagement. This is the second internship Caleb has held with DTL and we’re so grateful for his incredible work and dedication.
#dtl #dtlhawaii #strategy #planning #branding #communications #design #culture #community #hawaii #intern