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
#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
Today we are celebrating the birth of Queen Kaʻahumanu, born on March 17, 1768 in Hāna, Maui.
Known as the favorite wife of Kamehameha I, Kaʻahumanu is regarded as a mana wahine who sought to strengthen Hawaiʻi. Her actions changed the social and political structure of our islands. She abolished the traditional kapu system that divided power between men and women, accepted and encouraged Christianity throughout Hawaiʻi, and established early relations with the U.S.
She was the longest-reigning monarch of 50 years, and her legacy will always be remembered ❤️
#dtl #dtlhawaii #strategy #planning #branding #communications #design #culture #community #hawaii #queenkaahumanu
After 8 years as a pillar of our DTL ʻohana, we are sad to say that Kirra will be moving on to new adventures.
Kirra’s vibrant energy, communications intelligence, and warm aloha will be deeply missed from our team. In her time at DTL, she has paved the way for groundbreaking events, strategic plans, communications campaigns, community outreach, media and public relations, and so much more. Although a bittersweet farewell, we are more than confident that this mana wahine will continue to work hard and play hard, bringing life and aloha wherever she goes.
Our best wishes and aloha to you, Kirra! A hui hou 🩵
The GIFT Foundation of Hawai‘i strives to promote giving and volunteering by young adults, as well as provides an outlet where people can learn about and contribute to Honolulu’s different charitable organizations.
DTL and WCIT have been longtime supporters of @gifthawaii and the incredible contributions that they make every year to uplift Hawaiʻi.
Since 2003, GIFT has thrown an annual Halloween party, donating proceeds from the event to numerous non-profit organizations making a difference in our community. This October, the event is moving to South Maui and the board will be selecting beneficiaries that are doing good work on Maui.
If you’re a non-profit serving the Maui community, you’re encouraged to submit an application by March 31, 2024. Visit gift.foundation.com for more information about sponsorship and/or submitting an application.
#dtl #dtlhawaii #strategy #planning #branding #communications #design #culture #community #hawaii #nonprofit #nonprofithawaii
#ManaWahineWednesday ~ Edith Kanakaʻole is celebrated worldwide as a hula teacher, composer, chanter, and performer. During the 1970s Hawaiian Renaissance, she played a pivotal role in preserving and passing on hula traditions amidst a widespread revival of cultural practices. Her dance school, Hālau o Kekuhi, gained international recognition for its instruction in the ʻaihaʻa style of hula and chanting. Today, her legacy endures through the Edith Kanakaʻole Foundation, which is overseen by her descendants.
Before her death in 1978, Edith trained her daughters, Pualani and Nālani, to take over as leaders at Hālau o Kekuhi. They are both kumu hula and have played an integral piece in the resurgence of Hawaiian practices. The legacy continues with Pualani`s daughter, Kekuhi Kealiʻikanakaʻole, who is an educator and has trained under Hālau o Kekuhi. Kekuhi was elevated to the status of kumu hula of Hālau o Kekuhi by her mother, Pualani, and her aunt, Nālani.
#dtl #dtlhawaii #strategy #planning #branding #communications #design #culture #community #hawaii #womenshistorymonth #womensupportingwomen #womenempowerment #nativehawaiianwomen #indigenouswomen #manawahine #wahine #halauokekuhi #edithkanakaole
Hauʻoli lā hānau e Hōkūleʻa ✨ On March 8, 1975, Hōkūleʻa launched from Kualoa in Kāneʻohe Bay, building momentum for the Hawaiian Renaissance. Hōkūleʻa brought much more than the revitalization of voyaging and navigation traditions, she brought a new-found respect and appreciation for our culture. Today reminds us across the pae ʻāina of our kuleana to perpetuate our history and values and to celebrate Hawaiʻi and its people.
Photo: Kamehameha School Archives, 1976
#dtl #dtlhawaii #strategy #planning #branding #communications #design #culture #community #hawaii #hauolilahanau #hokulea
#ManaWahineWednesday ~ Mary Kawena Pukui was a historian, scholar, and teacher that played a crucial role in preserving Hawaiian culture. She recognized the decline of the Hawaiian language and its impact on Native Hawaiian identity, and published significant works spanning over 50 years. This included co-authoring "Hawaiian-English Dictionary" and "Place Names of Hawaiʻi," and compiling "ʻŌlelo Noʻeau," a collection of 3,000 Hawaiian proverbs and poetic sayings.
Patience Namaka Wiggin Bacon, or Aunty Pat, was the hānai daughter of Mary Kawena Pukui, and carried on her mother`s legacy throughout her lifetime. Aunty Pat spent more than 60 years working at the Bishop Museum with roles such as the museum telephone operator, bookstore employee, and secretary of the Anthropology Department.
In the early 1990s, she transferred to the library and archives. She served as the senior adviser for cultural affairs and spent countless hours listening to audiotapes, transcribing and translating the recordings into Hawaiian and English manuscripts that were to be made available to the public.
#dtl #dtlhawaii #strategy #planning #branding #communications #design #culture #community #hawaii #womenshistorymonth #womensupportingwomen #womenempowerment #nativehawaiianwomen #indigenouswomen #nativehawaiianwomenhistory #manawahine #wahine
Waikīkī was once a beloved retreat for our aliʻi, including Queen Emma whose residence once stood at the current site of the International Market Place.
To welcome kamaʻāina back to Waikīkī, Brookfield Properties constructed a new rental tower in the area. DTL was honored to work on the project, naming it after Queen Emma’s favorite flower, the līlia (lily).
Līlia Waikīkī celebrates the legacy of Queen Emma and inspires residents to cultivate the life they love. DTL also assisted in sharing the cultural and historical genealogy of Queen Emma and her dearly beloved ‘āina, naming amenity spaces and facilitating community outreach throughout construction.
#dtl #dtlhawaii #strategy #planning #branding #communications #design #culture #community #hawaii #marketingstrategy #businessstrategy #olelohawaii #hawaiianlanguage #queenemma #waikiki